Michigan Football 2011 Predictions: Game-by-Game Breakdown for the Wolverines

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With a new era beginning in Ann Arbor, loyal fans of the Maize and Blue are left to wonder how their team will fare in 2011. 

Will the memories of Rich Rodriguez's tenure be washed away with a successful season? 

I give a game-by-game breakdown of each game this year, complete with predictions of the outcomes and Michigan's final record.

Sept. 3rd vs. Western Michigan

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Michigan opens the 2011 campaign with one of the better MAC schools on the schedule, the Western Michigan Broncos. 

Western has a very talented quarterback in Alex Carder, but the Wolverine’s new-found focus on defense will be too much for the Bronco offense. 

Michigan opens the Brady Hoke era with a win at home.

Sept. 10th vs. Notre Dame

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There will be a spectacle in Ann Arbor as two of the most storied programs in college football line up for the first night game at the Big House. 

The Wolverines will try to knock off an up-and-coming Irish team that has their eyes set on a BCS bowl bid. 

Michigan will fight hard but come up just short against their rivals.

Sept. 17th vs. Eastern Michigan

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This will be a game used to tweak the offensive and defensive units as Michigan prepares for the Big Ten season. 

Eastern Michigan is a team that will struggle, finding themselves at the bottom of the rankings in the country once again. 

The Wolverines roll through this one in a blowout.

Sept. 24th vs. San Diego State

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In a game with a nice story line, Brady Hoke’s former team visits Ann Arbor in a bid to knock off the Wolverines. 

The Aztecs have a very good senior quarterback in Ryan Lindley, but not enough talent at all other positions to topple Michigan on the road. 

Michigan wins this one by fewer points than they should, and move to 3-1 on the year.

Oct. 1st vs. Minnesota

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The battle for the Little Brown Jug re-opens in Ann Arbor as Michigan and Minnesota square off for the first time since 2008. 

Denard Robinson should have a field day running against a Gopher defense that yielded almost 200 rushing yards per game last year. 

Michigan downs Minnesota at home, and keeps the Little Brown Jug in Ann Arbor for one more year.

Oct. 8th at Northwestern

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Michigan takes their first road trip of the year to Northwestern. 

The Wildcats have one of the top quarterbacks in the Big Ten in Dan Persa and should be able to put up some numbers on a Michigan defense still finding its footing. 

Northwestern, however will struggle to contain Denard Robinson’s dual-threat attack. 

The Wolverines win a shootout in Evanston.

Oct. 15th at Michigan State

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The Wolverines' second road game and second rivalry game takes them to East Lansing to take on the rejuvenated Spartans. 

After a draining game the week before, Michigan runs into a Michigan State team coming off a bye week. 

The Wolverines keep the score close, but struggle to stop the run and ultimately lose their second game.

Oct. 29th vs. Purdue

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Michigan comes off their bye week with a homecoming game against the Purdue Boilermakers. 

Purdue is another team in the rebuilding process and does not have the horses to beat a Michigan team at home after a loss and coming off a bye. 

The Wolverines take this game by two touchdowns and move to 6-2.

Nov. 5th at Iowa

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Michigan and Iowa is always a slug fest of a game, and this year should be no different. 

The Hawkeyes may get caught looking ahead to Michigan State coming to town the next week, providing a perfect chance for the Wolverines to come in and steal a game in Iowa City. 

Michigan’s kicking game finally pulls itself together after a brutal 2010 season and wins this one for the Wolverines by a field goal.

Nov. 12th at Illinois

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Michigan will get caught in this one after an emotional win at Iowa. 

Illinois will have this game circled on the calendar after last year’s triple-overtime shootout. 

The Illini could be a team that surprises in the Big Ten this year and will be stronger than most people would think.  

Illinois downs the Wolverines at home, giving Michigan their third loss of 2011.

Nov. 19th vs. Nebraska

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Bo Pelini and Nebraska come to town looking to get a foothold on a spot in the inaugural Big Ten Championship game. 

Michigan will likely still be down after a loss to Illinois, and will come out flat in the first half of this one. 

The Wolverines will pick it up in the second half but lose a low-scoring barn-burner for their first consecutive loss of the season.

Nov. 26th vs. Ohio State

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“The Game” is one of the most anticipated rivalries every year in college football. 

Michigan will be fired up and looking for their first win over the Buckeyes since the Lloyd Carr era. 

Brady Hoke has had his players focused on Ohio State since day one on the job and has the added benefit of the Buckeyes playing with a new head coach and quarterback. 

Michigan puts one of their rivals down in a mild upset at the Big House to end with a successful 8-4 season.