Completely Biased, Admittedly Lazy, and Universally Irrelevant Schedule Prediction
Week 1: Middle Tennessee
Not the biggest cupcake you could put on the schedule to start the season, but this team only ranked 77th in the country in scoring offense and 66th in scoring defense. They could put up some passing yards against a Michigan secondary trying out some new starters at both safety and corner if they can find a QB, as they did well enough throwing it last year. However, the Michigan players are eager to make a statement and I don't see them disappointing in this contest.
Michigan 38 - Middle Tennessee 17
Week 2: Army
Even more so than previous week, this is no cupcake of an opponent. In fact, Army is fairly impressive overall. They are bringing the triple option offense that was second in the country in yards per game (312), as well as a rugged defense that was 10th in the nation in points allowed last year. They will be coming to town in hopes of catching a Michigan team off guard. This one will be a lot closer than the home town fans would like, but expect the Wolverines to come out on top.
Michigan 27 - Army 21
Week 3: Bye
A well-placed bye week that will allow the team to prepare for the Big Ten schedule that starts on the road at Wisconsin. It will also be much-needed as the first two games will be tough, physical contests for the most part.
Week 4: At Wisconsin
The big question mark for this matchup is the starting quarterback situation for Wisconsin after Alex Hornibrook, who really wasn't that good last year, transferred out. Either junior Jack Coan or true freshman Graham Mertz will get the nod. Either way, the Badgers will be leaning their offense on Heisman candidate Jonathan Taylor at running back. Michigan embarrassed the Badgers in Ann Arbor last year but I don't expect it to be a blowout in Madison. However, the better offensive line for once is dressed in Maize and Blue and there is just too much overall talent for the home team to overcome in order to win this one.
Michigan 28 - Wisconsin 17
Week 5: Rutgers
Forget it Scarlet Knights - you are not getting one over on Harbaugh and company in AA. Not even close.
Michigan 51 - Rutgers 12
Week 6: Iowa
The Hawkeyes are the toughest opponent through the first half of the schedule. They are solid all around and return experienced QB Nate Stanley and a stable of running backs, as well as enough talent on defense to run with most of the FBS. Luckily for Michigan, this one is not in Iowa City and they only have Illinois next on the schedule. Expect a barnyard brawl here though, as Iowa will do a good job of forcing Michigan to play to their game plan. It will most-likely come down to how well the Wolverines' O-line plays against a talented front seven. If they can keep pressure off Patterson they will win this one by a touchdown. Also, it would go a long way towards a win if the defense can get pressure into the Iowa backfield.
Michigan 24 - Iowa 21
Week 7: At Illinois
No offense to Illini Head Coach Lovie Smith but he hasn't done much to turn the program around. And Michigan transfer QB Brandon Peters won't be enough to save them in this contest.
Michigan 52 - Illinois 13
Week 8: At Penn State
This trip to Happy Valley begins a tough two weeks on the schedule. Though the Nittany Lions have lost a lot of talent to the NFL, graduation, and transfers, they continue to remain an opponent to not sleep on or you will pay the consequences. That is even more true when they are at home. However, Michigan's defense should be too overwhelming for an inexperienced offense.
Michigan 28 - Penn State 14
Week 9: Notre Dame
Brian Kelly is nearing an end of a decade in South Bend and his Fighting Irish were able to squeak out a win against the Wolverines at home last year. This year, however, the script will be flipped with the show coming to Michigan Stadium.
Michigan 24 - Notre Dame 21
Week 10: At Maryland
With wins over Penn State and Notre Dame in the bag and the two biggest rivals looming on the schedule, the Terrapins will be looking to upset the Wolverines in what some might consider a 'trap game'. Well, with head coach Mike Locksley recently taking shots at his former assistant, Michigan OC Josh Gattis, I am willing to bet that they won't overlook this one.
Michigan 49 - Maryland 28
Week 11: Bye
Week 12: Michigan State
Sparty comes to town and Harbaugh will look to take build a bigger lead in this rivalry, especially after the embarrassing loss at home two years ago. Look for the defense to be spot on in this one while the offense will try to rub their noses in it.
Michigan 24 - Michigan State 6
Week 13: At Indiana
The Hoosiers always play tough against the Wolverines and this year should not be any different. It doesn't help that the team will be coming off a win over the Spartans and caught looking ahead to Ohio State.
Indiana 24 - Michigan 23
Week 14: Ohio State
No matter what happens the week before, everything will be riding on this game right here. The winner of this one will be advancing to the Big Ten Championship Game in Indy with a shot at making the playoff. No doubt Harbaugh has the Buckeyes circled and is putting a bigger emphasis on the game more than any previous season, particularly after last season's drubbing.
Michigan 33 - Ohio State 27
Go Blue! 11 wins & 1 loss - Big Ten East Champs!
On the Indy!!
Not the biggest cupcake you could put on the schedule to start the season, but this team only ranked 77th in the country in scoring offense and 66th in scoring defense. They could put up some passing yards against a Michigan secondary trying out some new starters at both safety and corner if they can find a QB, as they did well enough throwing it last year. However, the Michigan players are eager to make a statement and I don't see them disappointing in this contest.
Michigan 38 - Middle Tennessee 17
Week 2: Army
Even more so than previous week, this is no cupcake of an opponent. In fact, Army is fairly impressive overall. They are bringing the triple option offense that was second in the country in yards per game (312), as well as a rugged defense that was 10th in the nation in points allowed last year. They will be coming to town in hopes of catching a Michigan team off guard. This one will be a lot closer than the home town fans would like, but expect the Wolverines to come out on top.
Michigan 27 - Army 21
Week 3: Bye
A well-placed bye week that will allow the team to prepare for the Big Ten schedule that starts on the road at Wisconsin. It will also be much-needed as the first two games will be tough, physical contests for the most part.
Week 4: At Wisconsin
The big question mark for this matchup is the starting quarterback situation for Wisconsin after Alex Hornibrook, who really wasn't that good last year, transferred out. Either junior Jack Coan or true freshman Graham Mertz will get the nod. Either way, the Badgers will be leaning their offense on Heisman candidate Jonathan Taylor at running back. Michigan embarrassed the Badgers in Ann Arbor last year but I don't expect it to be a blowout in Madison. However, the better offensive line for once is dressed in Maize and Blue and there is just too much overall talent for the home team to overcome in order to win this one.
Michigan 28 - Wisconsin 17
Week 5: Rutgers
Forget it Scarlet Knights - you are not getting one over on Harbaugh and company in AA. Not even close.
Michigan 51 - Rutgers 12
Week 6: Iowa
The Hawkeyes are the toughest opponent through the first half of the schedule. They are solid all around and return experienced QB Nate Stanley and a stable of running backs, as well as enough talent on defense to run with most of the FBS. Luckily for Michigan, this one is not in Iowa City and they only have Illinois next on the schedule. Expect a barnyard brawl here though, as Iowa will do a good job of forcing Michigan to play to their game plan. It will most-likely come down to how well the Wolverines' O-line plays against a talented front seven. If they can keep pressure off Patterson they will win this one by a touchdown. Also, it would go a long way towards a win if the defense can get pressure into the Iowa backfield.
Michigan 24 - Iowa 21
Week 7: At Illinois
No offense to Illini Head Coach Lovie Smith but he hasn't done much to turn the program around. And Michigan transfer QB Brandon Peters won't be enough to save them in this contest.
Michigan 52 - Illinois 13
Week 8: At Penn State
This trip to Happy Valley begins a tough two weeks on the schedule. Though the Nittany Lions have lost a lot of talent to the NFL, graduation, and transfers, they continue to remain an opponent to not sleep on or you will pay the consequences. That is even more true when they are at home. However, Michigan's defense should be too overwhelming for an inexperienced offense.
Michigan 28 - Penn State 14
Week 9: Notre Dame
Brian Kelly is nearing an end of a decade in South Bend and his Fighting Irish were able to squeak out a win against the Wolverines at home last year. This year, however, the script will be flipped with the show coming to Michigan Stadium.
Michigan 24 - Notre Dame 21
Week 10: At Maryland
With wins over Penn State and Notre Dame in the bag and the two biggest rivals looming on the schedule, the Terrapins will be looking to upset the Wolverines in what some might consider a 'trap game'. Well, with head coach Mike Locksley recently taking shots at his former assistant, Michigan OC Josh Gattis, I am willing to bet that they won't overlook this one.
Michigan 49 - Maryland 28
Week 11: Bye
Week 12: Michigan State
Sparty comes to town and Harbaugh will look to take build a bigger lead in this rivalry, especially after the embarrassing loss at home two years ago. Look for the defense to be spot on in this one while the offense will try to rub their noses in it.
Michigan 24 - Michigan State 6
Week 13: At Indiana
The Hoosiers always play tough against the Wolverines and this year should not be any different. It doesn't help that the team will be coming off a win over the Spartans and caught looking ahead to Ohio State.
Indiana 24 - Michigan 23
Week 14: Ohio State
No matter what happens the week before, everything will be riding on this game right here. The winner of this one will be advancing to the Big Ten Championship Game in Indy with a shot at making the playoff. No doubt Harbaugh has the Buckeyes circled and is putting a bigger emphasis on the game more than any previous season, particularly after last season's drubbing.
Michigan 33 - Ohio State 27
Go Blue! 11 wins & 1 loss - Big Ten East Champs!
On the Indy!!
With the loss to Wisconsin, the Wolverines might not be able to afford another conference loss. Notre Dame is the only game they could lose and still be in play for championship, particularly if it turns out to be a good, well-played rivalry slugfest.
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