Michigan Football Predictions: 3 Reasons the Wolverines Will Win the Big Ten

Michigan is flush with anticipation after celebrating the Wolverines' 2011 Sugar Bowl victory.  But it gets better for Michigan fans: the Wolverines have a great chance of winning the Big Ten this year!

The Big Ten is loaded again after years of decline. Top programs like Ohio State, Wisconsin and Nebraska will give Michigan a run for its money in future years, but are they ready right now? Michigan looks like the school to beat while its top rivals retool.

After an exceptional 2011, the Wolverines return most of their best players, including dynamic quarterback Denard Robinson, and have added several top recruits.  The Wolverines are poised to take another step forward this season.

Let's look at three reasons why the Wolverines will win the Big Ten in 2012.

Denard Robinson Will Lead Michigan to Big Victories

Denard Robinson's 2011 performance was a transitional prelude and he will become a star in 2012.

The Michigan quarterback spent 2011 adjusting to a new system.  His statistical performance was not stellar, regressing from 2010, but it was impressive given the circumstances.  

Robinson went from a pure spread-option system run by former coach Rich Rodriguez to the mixed pro-option offense of coach Brady Hoke.  He now knows the system and can focus on harnessing his talent to improve.   

Specifically, all Robinson needs to do to become a star quarterback is use that new familiarity to cut down on his interception totals and get his pass completion rate above 60 percent. If he can do that, Michigan will be very hard to beat.  

Ondre Pipkins, Devin Funchess and Jerald Robinson Will Elevate the Wolverines

Michigan will be helped by three new impact talents: defensive tackle Ondre Pipkins, tight end Devin Funchess and wide receiver Jerald Robinson.

Michigan lost two defensive line starters, Ryan Van Bergen and Mike Martin, so the talented Pipkins can add production on the line immediately.  If he produces to his potential, Michigan will have a strong defensive line. 

The Wolverines also need to replace receivers, which is where Robinson and Funchess will come in handy. Robinson is a big-play, No. 1-receiver type who can ignite this offense. Funchess is the team's most talented tight end in years and a great potential security blanket for Robinson.  Together, they should help Robinson become an elite quarterback.  

The Rest of the Big Ten Has to Catch Up to Michigan

2012 will be a tough year for many of the top Big Ten programs.  It's a transitional year and Michigan can take advantage.

Penn State will need more than a year to recover from the Jerry Sandusky scandal that knocked Joe Paterno off his pedestal and threw the program into chaos.  

Ohio State will need to face its own scandal and adjust to a new system under coach Urban Meyer.

Wisconsin will miss dynamic quarterback Russell Wilson and will not win the Big Ten without him.

And Nebraska needs to add offensive talent and fix its leaky defense.

So, while there will be great rivalries soon to come, it looks like Michigan's year to shine.