Michigan Football: One Reason the Wolverines Can Beat Every Team in 2011

Brady Hoke and his now signature point.
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Change is in the air in Ann Arbor. 

Brady Hoke took command of the Wolverines early January and hasn't looked back.  Since then, he retained almost all of Rodriguez's recruits and added a few gems, taking a recruiting class from last to third in the Big Ten. 

He retained spread-superstar Denard Robinson.  He got a marquee hire in former Baltimore Ravens DC Greg Mattison.

Up to this day, Hoke's done everything right—which is why there's plenty of excitement in Ann Arbor to accompany that change. 

More importantly, however, there is a reason (at least one) that Michigan can beat any team on its 2011 schedule.

Game 1: Western Michigan Broncos-Michigan Wolverines

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Date: Sept. 3, 2011.

Reason Michigan will win: Brady Hoke knows the MAC from his time at Ball State. 

He will refuse to allow WMU to get any sort of passing game going, and the Broncos definitely aren't known for running the ball.

In 2009, when Michigan and Western Michigan faced off, there was an abnormal amount of uncertainty surrounding the game—especially for a Big Ten against MAC game. 

Michigan had just gone 3-9 the previous season and featured a horrendously decimated defense. 

Western Michigan was coming off of a 9-3 (6-2) performance in 2008 and featured one of the best passing attacks in the MAC, lead by QB Tim Hiller.

But then Michigan shut them down to the tune of 35-7.

This year, WMU comes off of a 6-6 (5-3) performance and features no star QB. 

They will face an (expectedly) revamped, re-energized, and stronger defense with Mattison leading the Wolverines.

This all spells bad news for WMU, and points to Michigan starting off the season right.

Game 2: Notre Dame Fighting Irish-Michigan Wolverines

It took 130 years to get to this point, it's going to be a historic night.

Date:  Sept. 10, 2011

Reason Michigan will win:  It's the first ever night game at Michigan Stadium. 

If that doesn't start a fire underneath the Wolverines, then nothing will.

Remember when Michigan and Michigan State went past regulation and past sunset in the 2005 edition of the rivalry?

The atmosphere was electric, more intense, more loud—the fans had heart. 

The stands were blocked out as the field was lit from rented lights, and everyone was focused on just that, the game in front of them.

Not to mention, most patrons to the game will be fully rested from not being required to wake up at obscene hours.

They should also be heavily liquored by the time 8 a.m. rolls around.

Game 3: Eastern Michigan Eagles-Michigan Wolverines

Former Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English returns to the Big House
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Date: Sept. 17, 2011.

Reason Michigan will win:  Michigan has only one loss to a MAC team ever, and it was to a team much more high caliber than EMU.

Ron English will pay a second visit to his old stomping grounds at Michigan, with the last visit ending in a 45-17 rout. 

I would expect something very similar again this year.

Game 4: San Diego State Aztecs-Michigan Wolverines

Former Aztecs head coach Brady Hoke now leads the Wolverines
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Date: Sept. 24, 2011.

Reason Michigan will win:  Brady Hoke knows the Aztecs better than anyone else, considering the previous two years he was their head coach.

This game will make a lot of headlines simply because it pits a head coach (Hoke) against the team he coached last year.

It might be a potentially painful reunion—the Aztecs players and coaches will know Hoke very well, and I expect the game will be played with much emotion. 

The game was interesting when it was first scheduled, but given the situation, that no longer seems to be the case.

Game 5: Minnesota Gophers-Michigan Wolverines

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Date: Oct. 1, 2011.

Reason Michigan will win:  Minnesota was bad in 2010, and with a coaching change in progress, they don't look to get much better.

The Golden Gophers turned in a forgettable 3-9 performance, but for a long stretch of the season, it looked as if Minnesota would not garner more than one victory. 

Inspired performances against Illinois and then No. 24 Iowa, were not enough to cover bad losses to FCS opponents like South Dakota.

As a Wolverines fan, I am happy to see college football's oldest trophy— the Little Brown Jug—will be played for annually now. 

Michigan leads that series 66-22.

Game 6: Michigan Wolverines-Northwestern Wildcats

Michigan flirted with Pat Fitzgerald to fill their vacant coaching position.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Date: Oct. 8, 2011

Reason Michigan will win:  Northwestern had some key losses on defense, and Michigan will take advantage.

It's true: Northwestern loses a good defensive lineman and is replaced by ... *crickets*. 

Nobody has stepped up at that position, so there's no reason to think they'll be any good at this point.  Two of their impact linebackers are gone now and so is a CB in Justin Vaughn.

Good news for Wildcats fans? 

Behind Persa, their offense has the potential to do damage.

Game 7: Michigan Wolverines-Michigan State Spartans

David Purdy/Getty Images

Date: Oct. 15, 2011

Reason Michigan will win:  Greg Jones is gone, and so is 3-4 victories.

Michigan State will not be competing for a Big Ten championship next year.  Yes, a lot of key players return, but there are just enough holes in the team now to show that they won't be competing with Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Nebraska.

In fact, Michigan State loses their other starters at linebacker and half of their 2010 secondary. 

While their offense should be able to score (unless they're facing 'Bama), their defense leaves much to be desired.

Game 8: Purdue Boilermakers-Michigan Wolverines

Stud DE Ryan Kerrigan won't tear up Michigan's offense in 2011 like he did in 2010
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Date: Oct. 29, 2011

Reason Michigan will win:  There's no Ryan Kerrigan this year.

When Michigan played at Purdue in 2010, Kerrigan was the single and sole factor that kept the Boilermakers with Michigan. 

He was an outstanding, and in my opinion, best in the Big Ten, defensive end.  He could probably take on an entire veteran offensive line by himself.

Filling the void he leaves will be next to impossible for Purdue.

Game 9: Michigan Wolverines @ Iowa Hawkeyes

David Purdy/Getty Images

Date: Nov. 5, 2011

Reason Michigan will win:  The Hawkeyes started 2010 with national championship aspirations and finished with their tail between their legs at 7-5. 

Considering all of the off-season drama, drugs, arrests, and attrition, it's hard to think they'll be focused.

The Hawkeyes have endured a brutal season and an even more brutal offseason.  It seems trouble can't find a way to leave Iowa City.

Speaking of leaving Iowa City, the team loses Adrian Clayborn and Ricky Stanzi. 

To fill these two positions with players of their caliber is asking a considerable amount.  I don't think it can be done, at least not in 2011

Game 10: Michigan Wolverines-Illinois Fighting Illini

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Date: Nov. 12, 2011

Reason Michigan will win:  Mikel Leshoure is lost to the NFL.

While it rarely does come down to one player, Leshoure rushed for 1,693 yards of the Illini's total 3,199 yards.  That translates to over half (53%) of their rushing offense.

If nobody steps up, that's going to be a significant part of the offense missing in 2011.

Game 11: Nebraska Cornhuskers-Michigan Wolverines

Welcome to the Big Ten, Bo Pelini.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Date: Nov. 19, 2011

Reason Michigan will win:  The "revenge" factor. 

Brady Hoke was a member of the 1997 national championship team, the same team that split that national championship with Nebraska.

Brady Hoke won't let them forget it.

Game 12: Ohio State Buckeyes @ Michigan Wolverines, November 26th, 2011

Has Tressel coached his last game as head of the Buckeyes?
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Date: Nov. 26, 2011

Reason Michigan will win:  Ohio State will be Tressel-less.

Scandalous, I know, but considering that of the twelve other coaches who were pegged for the same violations that Tressel was pegged for, a full eleven of them were fired, one has to consider that possibility.

If you're not convinced, then at least be convinced that the unfolding drama and resulting NCAA punishments / fallout will likely impact 2011 significantly. 

Significantly enough so that Michigan might get the win over their archrival for the first time since 2003.