Why Michigan Will Go 7-5 (8-4): Breaking Down Their Schedule, Part Two

The seventh game of the season will come down to this: the Wolverines just having way to much talent for the Delaware State team to handle. DSU lost there star QB and their two leading rushers.

As well as their No. 1 wr, so that lost a lot of there offensive threats and this year there offense will be as young as ours.

The Wolverines shouldn't have too big a problem beating them by a 21-28 point margin. Simply for the fact that DSU won't be scoring much and Brandon Minor shouldn't have trouble finding the end zone multiple times.

DSU runs a spread offense and though there offensive players will be young and inexperienced, they do have quite a bit of speed. Plus they have been running it for a while, so it might be good for the Wolverines to even(heaven forbid I say this) take a few pointers from them.

In the end though this game was scheduled with the hopes that the Wolverines might actually dominate one team and they easily should. They'll move to a very honorable 6-1. On to game ight.

6-1 and these Wolverines have the nation talking. The next question will be, can they handle the experienced big boys of the Big Ten? The answer unfortunately will be a resounding no.

I don't expect a blowout, but I do expect a loss in this one. PSU will be one of Michigan's top three opponents of this upcoming season. There experience along with there talent will be just too much for the young Wolverines.
PSU has QB Daryll Clark and running back Evan Royster, both All-Big Ten selections, returning to the team.

Though they have lost some key offensive weapons in Williams and company, along with three all-big ten lineman, they shouldn't have too big a problem replacing them with solid players. Good enough at least to beat these young Wolverines.

They are only returning six starters on offense and four on defense, but they always have amazing defensive recruits and the offense will be lead by Clark and Royster. Most agree the Clark is heisman worthy at times, and Royster should be an all-american.

The same really can't be said for any of the Wolverines besides Minor and possibly Matthews and they shouldn't have too much of a fit trying to shut him down.

The game will be closer than some have predicted but I will say Penn State by 10-17. Moving the Wolverines to 6-2 and making them realize that maybe they have a year or so before than can really challenge the big dogs.

6-2 overall and 2-2 in conference games, the Wolverines come in needing to win this one to put themselves above .500 in the conference. It will take a great effort to get it done against the experience and talent of the Illinois Fighting Illini.

The Fighting Illini return many of their main leaders from last year. Juice Williams, their QB, was the rushing and passing leader last season. He will be the main player to look out for on game day.

The Wolverine will need to shut him down as much as possible to win this one. Other returning leaders include WR Arrelious Benn, who will most likely have a great season.

This game is going to come down to who can score the most points, in my opinion, because both teams have high powered offenses. Illinois also lost most of there starting defenders, and last year's defense wasn't much to look at anyways.

The Wolverines should be able to out-score them because of Illinois's lack of talent on the defensive side of the ball.

It should be a high scoring game that comes down to the fourth quarter. In the end, though, I think Michigan will be able to keep Juice in check for the most part.

The Fighting Illini defense just won't be good enough to stop Minor, Matthews and company. Wolverines will win by a 10-14 point margin. They are now 7-2 overall with a 3-2 conference record. Not a bad turn around from the last season.

What If? That's will be the question going around the jam packed Big House against the Purdue Boilermakers. What if we get this game and then somehow end up beating Wisconsin or Ohio State?

That would make them 9-3 overall? How could it be possible for such a young team to make such an amazing turn around? Let's just focus on game 10 for now shall we.

The Purdue Boilermakers return a humbling four starters on there offense, that features all lineman. All the skills players have graduated, the top two running backs, Curtis Painter, the top three wide receivers, all gone! I hate to say it but this just be the Michigan of last year. I feel pretty bad for you Boilermaker fans.

There has to be some hope then maybe returning on the defensive side of the ball right? Well maybe just a bit more than the offensive side, but not much. Few teams had trouble running against the Boilermakers in 2008 as the team ranked last in the conference giving up 174.83 yards per game.

They were ranked in the bottom five of almost every defensive category in the conference last year, and they lost some key guys from that. They have tons of holes to fill this year.

This game might be the only easy one of the schedule in-conference wise in the upcoming season and they will make the most of it. In front of a sell out crowd (as always at the Big House), they will put on a high scoring display and might even shut down the Purdue offense entirely.

This will be the real game that strikes so fear in the hearts of opponents knowing that this squad is young. Even if they are playing a weak Big Ten team, it's still a Big Ten team nonetheless.

I have the Wolverines in this one by a 21-24 margin. I feel for you Boilermaker fans in the upcoming season, it's going to be a tough one. Your leading returning passer and rusher, passed for (81 yards) and rushed for (37). Not much to build on.

The Wolverines are now a proud 8-2 overall and though most don't want to say or think it they could sneak in a win against one of the next two and make a bowl. Any given SATURDAY, right?

8-2 riding high with an above par 4-2 conference record this game might just be to see who gets second place in the conference. Of course, we all know (and it pains me to say it) Ohio State should win the conference.

I will say one thing to begin with, many people believe Michigan has no chance in this one, and I say why not? Wisconsin was only 7-6 last year and they lost a huge part of there defense.

Sure, you could make the argument that Michigan was 3-9, so why won't Wisconsin improve like them? Their recruiting leaves a lot to be desired.

The Badgers do return a RB in John Clay who should have an over 1,000 yard season, but they won't have the same 200+ yards per game rushing attack like last year. There QB now has some experience and there two best receivers return so that's good for them.

On defense here is a quote from a site: Tackles Jason Chapman and Mike Newkirk are gone and so is end Matt Shaughnessy.

For a team that ranked tenth in the conference in sacks per game, finding a pass rush might be very difficult. The situation is no better for the linebackers. Jaevery McFadden is the only returning starter.

McFadden led the team with 84 tackles last year, but he needs help from some fresh faces to replace second and third leading tacklers and fellow linebackers DeAndre Levy and Jonathan Casillas.

I look for this game to be a close one that comes down to the end and if there is going to be any games where Michigan will be the underdog winner it might be this one.

Wisconsin does not look that to be that tough next year though I do have them projected as beating Michigan. Like I said this one comes down to the end though.

I have the Wisconsin Badgers hitting a game winning field goal at the end to win by a three-point margin. Like I have stated though this game is definitely not out of reach for a pumped up Michigan team.

Who knows they may lose the Notre Dame and Iowa games and end up winning this one, making them still my projected 7-5.

If any of the games are more obvious this season for the Wolverines as to the outcome, then please inform me. This one has to be the easiest to predict for me. Though I hate to say it, the Suckeyes will dominate in this one, with pretty much ease and the Coach RR haters will return.

The Old Rivalry comes down to this, Ohio State is just too talented for the young boys of Michigan. They'll get there first taste in this one though and they will know that they're young. They still have three years to wipe those smirks off the faces of those arrogant Ohio State fans.

Michigan ends the season at 8-4 overall and 4-4 in conference play. Not a bad season for the Wolverines, and everyone will be looking forward to a Big Ten championship the next year.

I know on the title it says 7-5, but I was being optimistic and I think pretty realistic with an 8-4. The games that could really go either way being Notre Dame, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

So at best they could a startling 9-3 and at worst a 6-6 somewhat disappointment. Still would be double the wins from last year and if they keep adding 3 wins a season I'm fine with that.

If they do go even 7-5 (or better) they make get some crap bowl like the Badgers did last year. If they do I will previewing, analyzing, and predicting that one for you so please check back in later for more.

As well, I will be doing midseason reports and keeping updates on commitments for 2010 so do check in on that as well. Thank you for reading and until next time GO BLUE!