2013-14 Football Previews – (Big 10) – Wolverines
After the massive 11-2 season in 2011, the Michigan Wolverines 8-5 season in 2012 had to be seen as a disappointment. Still, it’s obvious that Brady Hoke has this program continuing on the right path.
Hoke is proving to be an amazing recruiter, and the Wolverines are really getting a lot of young talented players to come to Ann Arbor.
Big 10 Conference 2012-2013 College Football Previews: Michigan Wolverines (Team Link)
Head Coach: Brady Hoke
2012 Record: 8-5
Michigan Gambling Odds to win BCS Championship: +4,000
Michigan Gambling Odds to win Big 10 Legends Division: +250
Michigan Gambling Odds to win Big 10 Conference: +500
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Denard Robinson’s injuries held the team back last year, but they also gave Devin Gardner a chance to get ready for this season. The Wolverines now have a veteran under center in Gardner, and that should help them be more prepared for 2013 than they would have been. The roster is more suited to Hoke’s style of offense now than it was when he first got here, and that should start to pay dividends very soon.
Team Strengths:
Michigan is very strong on the offensive front. Anyone who has watched the Big Ten much at all knows that having a strong front line is definitely necessary to win in this conference. Taylor Lewan is a star at the tackle spot, and he’ll be playing on Sunday’s soon. Hoke’s system will likely include more pro style passing plays this year, and the Wolverines have the luxury of a great offensive line to give Gardner time to throw.
Michigan’s linebackers are the single biggest area of strength in a very good defense. Jake Ryan is the star of the group, but he tore an ACL in the Spring. Ryan is recovering well and the team expects him back in October. Desmond Morgan and Brennen Beyer should do very well holding down the fort while he is gone.
The Wolverines have had great safeties for the past couple years, and that is the case once again. Thomas Gordon is the senior leader of the secondary. Freshman Dymonte Thomas could be one of the Big Ten’s best defenders in a year or two. It will be tough to throw on this secondary. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Team Weaknesses:
Michigan lacks that big run stuffer in the middle of the defensive front. The Wolverines have been susceptible against a very good running attack the last few years, and I think they will be again this season. The weakness of the defense is definitely the front four, and that could come back to bite them in the Big Ten.
Michigan’s wide receivers aren’t going to be wowing anyone with their ability. Gardner may have a hard time finding reliable receivers to target in key spots.
Turnovers were a big problem for the Wolverines last year. They turned the ball over 18 times in their five losses a year ago. They’ll have to cut that number down to contend this season.
2013-2014 Michigan Football Prediction: 9-4
Michigan has more depth than they had a couple years ago, but they still have some areas of concern heading into this season. They have tough road tests at Penn State, Michigan State, and Northwestern this year. They finish the season at home against Ohio State. While the Wolverines are likely to be a little bit better than last season, I don’t think they will be able to reach the ten win mark. Look for an up and down season from Michigan in 2013.
2013 Michigan Schedule
8/31/13 TBD CMICH
9/7/13 8:00 PM ET NOTRE
9/14/13 TBD AKR
9/21/13 TBD @CONN
10/5/13 3:30 PM ET MINN
10/12/13 5:00 PM ET @PENST
10/19/13 3:30 PM ET IND
11/2/13 TBD @MCHST
11/9/13 TBD NEB
11/16/13 TBD @NWEST
11/23/13 TBD @IOWA
11/30/13 TBD OHIST
