2009 Michigan Wolverines Football Preview (Part II)

Finally, my sequel is finished! Here we are at the halfway point in the season, and Michigan is 5-1 by my count, with an overtime loss at Iowa. The fans are pumped at this point (as they should be), and the media has bought into Michigan as a Big 10 contender.

Michigan has found a solid quarterback, and there is a nice mixture of leadership from upperclassmen and speedy early impact players.

The question is: How will they finish down the stretch? Can they keep the same momentum they had for the first six games, or will they falter down the stretch? If they are good, just how good?

If they finish badly, how badly? There are still a lot of unknowns about this team, so let's take a peek into 2009 looking through my crystal ball.

Week Seven (Oct.17): Delaware State Hornets

Remember the last time fans underestimated an FCS team? What kind of battery...never mind.

Seriously though, I don't think this game will be that tough, at least not enough for Michigan to be upset.

I can't find a picture for this team. Should that scare fans or comfort them?

Michigan 41, Delaware State 10.

Week Eight (Oct. 24): Penn State Nittany Lions

Last year, Michigan started out with a 17-7 lead in the first half in Happy Valley! They stayed in the game until late in the third quarter, when Steven Threet left injured, and everything unraveled.

It was tied at 17 at that point, but the final score was 46-17. Penn State finished the season strong, going to a Rose Bowl—while Michigan finished 3-9.

Penn State has great talent at linebacker, and fantastic senior leadership from Daryll Clark. But PSU loses a lot of talent at wide receiver, offensive line, and in the secondary. In addition, they also lost Maurice Evans and Aaron Maybin to the NFL draft.

Penn State's offense probably will match up well with Michigan's defense in this game, especially on the ground.

Michigan's offense rushed for 200 yards in Happy Valley last season and I wouldn't be surprised if they give a good run at repeating that feat this year.

Michigan has more speed (QB), talent, experience, and a better offensive line, so they will run with Penn State here.

This offseason, I have been consistent in saying Michigan will have at least one major surprise upset and possibly one major letdown, and I believe that Penn St., Illinois, and Ohio State (who all blew out Michigan) are susceptible to being upset.

Michigan will exact revenge on one of those big three offensive teams, and this could be that game.

This game is decided in the trenches and Michigan will play stronger on both sides of the ball in the end.

Michigan 31, Penn State 24. Michigan is 7-1 (3-1 in the conference).

Week Nine (Oct. 31): At Illinois Fighting Illini

This is a game that a lot of people are predicting to be a barn-burner. Juice Williams has had high expectations throughout his career and this might be the year that he gets over the top...but I doubt it!

Illinois' main problem in 2008 wasn't simply that they abandoned the option-first philosophy of 2007, but also they didn't have the dominant running back, Rashard Mendenhall, to help Juice execute.

If the RBs can throw Juice a bone, the team will be better offensively.

Expect big things from Arrelious Benn, Jeff Cumberland, and Jarred Fayson in this game. However, the barn won't burn in regulation. This game will have big plays because of the spread athletes, but not many sustained drives because of lack of execution of the QBs.

Prediction: Illinois 34, Michigan 27 (OT).
Michigan: 7-2 (3-2 in Big Ten).

Week 10 (Nov. 7): Purdue Boilermakers

Last year's game was a huge disappointment for Michigan. Purdue won this game 48-42 due in large part to the performance of Justin Siller and a hook- and-lateral with 30 seconds left in the game.

This year, there's no Justin Siller, no Curtis Painter and no Kory Sheets. The same Purdue defense that gave up 42 points at home doesn't look much better this year, so don't expect a low scoring game from Michigan's side.

Michigan 38, Purdue 28.

8-2 overall, 4-2 in the conference.

Week 11 (November 14): At The Wisconsin Badgers

The man in this picture has all the talent to be a great back at Wisconsin; he recorded 884 yards and nine TDs with a 5.9 yards per carry average, and he still has three years of eligibility left!

Wisconsin has a solid offensive line, great size, and a handful of play makers to go along with a great power run game. The unfortunate part about this season is they have to replace a lot of experience on defense, as well as get better QB play.

Redshirt frosh Curt Phillips was a good recruit, and has the most potential at the position, but there are questions of whether or not he'll be a go.

If this game were at Camp Randall in Week Three or Four, I might go with the popular opinion that Wisky will win this one, but I don't see it happening.

This will be an 8-2 Michigan team, with a lot of answered questions, momentum, and confidence. This will be a Wisconsin team that still has identity issues as a program that will take one more year to fix, and a lot of unanswered questions.

Michigan wins big! 42-17.

Week 12 (Nov. 21): THE Ohio State Buckeyes...(vomit)

Here it is: the Dark Side led by Darth Pryor versus the Force, led by the Force.

This game will match a 9-2 Michigan team against an Ohio State team with probably a similar record. This will be in the Big House, and it will be Michigan's chance to redeem itself after five straight loses.

This may be their best chance for the next two years! Will they? Can they? I can't watch!

Ohio State 31, Michigan 28.

I hope to God I'm wrong.

I understand that 9-3, and 5-3 in the Big Ten might seem too optimistic, especially since I have said this team can only be expected to win six or seven games.

However, there is "expect" as in demand, and "expect" as in anticipate. On paper, I would say Michigan has too many unknowns to be guaranteed a record like 9-3, but unknowns come to all teams every year, and this team could be the start of something special.

My predicted stats for Michigan far:

PF/ PPG(offense): 391/ 32.6 PPG.

PA/PPG(defense): 279/ 23.3 PPG.

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