For Michigan football, it’s a chance to be the power of the Big Ten again. Everyone ranks Ohio State #1 in the conference coming into this preseason, with the Wolverines two. However, if OSU does indeed have major issues down the line with both Bradley Roby and Carlos Hyde, we’ll see how that plays out, then UM could usurp tOSU as the conference favorite.
Michigan football succeeds while the world immediately around it collapses. Detroit is the largest city in U.S. history ever to declare bankruptcy. They are $18 billion in debt, and half the traffic lights in the city don’t even work. Detroit’s population has fled to the suburbs where the Wolverines play in Ann Arbor.
Michigan football plays in the biggest stadium in the country. Does their fan base still have the disposable income to fill it?
Michigan football reasons to get EXCITED! ALL CAPS! Detroit may have lost 60% of its population in recent decades, but one person it did produce is starting QB Devin Gardner. He’s from the inner city, and was everyone’s most sought after recruit at Detroit Jesuit. Gardner got on the field as a receiver when Denard Robinson was QB, but took over some last year. He’s a MUCH BETTER passer than Denard. So expect the passing game to get a nice boost this year. He’s not as electric as Robinson, and he’s less boring a soundbite too. Devin Gardner is certainly no Kobe Bryant or Charles Barkley when giving interviews, but he sounds great when compared to Denard Robinson.
Gardner has Taylor Lewan coming back to block for him- he could’ve been a high NFL Draft pick last year. He could be top ten this May. The offense should be fine with Fitzgerald Toussaint, Jeremy Gallon and Drew Dileo coming back. Michigan football is 14-0 under Brady Hoke at home; who loves to say the word Michigan as much as possible. You can understand why.
Michigan football reasons to be worried :( “we need to improve, when you look at negative plays from a year ago, we weren’t very good. tackles for loss, sacks,” Michigan football coach Brady Hoke said at Big Ten Media Day. The year before we were just the opposite, and we got turnovers too.”
The Wolverines turned it over 18 times in their 5 losses last season. There are play-makers on defense, but also just 5 starters returning. And those starters don’t include Craig Roh and Jordan Kovacs.
“We have the pieces in place, we have the talent at many positions to make that run, so there’s no excuses,” said starting safety Thomas Gordon at Big Ten Media Day.
Michigan football key games: Sept 7th Notre Dame, October 12th at Penn State, November 30th vs Ohio State (always a season definer) Other than MSU and and Northwestern, all their key games are at home. Which is a really good sign.
Michigan football bottom line: another year of high scoring excitement. However, the OL has just three starters returning. 8-4 is the absolute floor. Provided Michigan football hangs on the ball this year. They haven’t won a conference title in 8 years; their longest drought since 1951-64. Now is the time. 10+ wins is expected.
the 2013 College Football rankings 1-51
Big Ten team Season Previews:
Indiana
Iowa
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, a Fox Sports affiliate. He is also an analyst for 95.7 The Fan, and writes on Chicago sports media for Chicago Now. President Obama follows him on Twitter (@PaulMBanks), like him on Facebook