Michigan Spring Game: What to Watch for at Wolverines' Exciting Exhibition

The Michigan Wolverines are in the early stages of building on a successful 2011 season. It will continue with the spring game that will go a long way to tell us where this program is headed into next season. 

The spring game doesn't make or break a season; far from it. This exhibition is merely a great way to measure strengths and take a look at potential stars heading into the summer. 

For the Wolverines, they must be itching to get things started after a season where they made huge leaps on defense and made a statement that they are back to contend for the big games. 

The defending Sugar Bowl winners will give us a great look at the team at the spring game, and here are the particulars that fans need to know. 

Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich.

When: Saturday, April 14 at 12 p.m. ET

Watch: Big Ten Network Streaming at: BTN2GO

On Defense

The defense was a pleasant surprise in 2011, but didn't feature a possible breakout star in cornerback Terrence Talbott. 

Kyle Meinke of AnnArbor.com reports the corner is getting significant time with the starters this spring, making it likely that he will be the corner in the fall. 

Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison explained the ploy, via AnnArbor.com. 

"

He’s like a lot of our guys out there. Our program is about nobody ever really having a position locked. Raymon (Taylor) steps in there, shows some good things. Terrence goes in there and shows some good things. It doesn’t matter.

"I think at the very end of spring, we’ll evaluate and say, 'Who had the most good days and where does he fit now?' All of this is a process until we get to that opening game.

"

This is exactly the sentiment surrounding the team and is the reason we will see some hungry players looking to make a mark at the spring game. 

Jordan Kovacs is looking well beyond Saturday and towards the opener, which should make all Wolverines fans happy, via SI.com. 

"

It's no secret the SEC has won the last six national championships. It's a very powerful conference, and we expect Alabama to be the best in that conference, and that's how we'll prepare. It's going to be a true test of where we're at.

"

On Offense

The Wolverines were saved from having a great deal of talent leave and should come back as one of the deepest teams in the nation. 

For a player like Denard Robinson, he is looking to be a far more vocal leader. He is self-described as a quiet and laid back person, but he tells ESPN that he is ready to be the veteran on a team that has high expectations. 

"

I wasn't there yet. But senior year came up fast. Now, you're a leader and you've got to step it up. 

In the past, I spoke up when I needed to or when somebody needed to be talked to. Now, it's more me letting guys know what they should do and what they can do on and off the field.

"

The spring game is the perfect opportunity to see how Robinson commands the offense on and off the field.

Success will begin and end with him and his rapport with his backups, receivers and the rest of the team.

Things are shaping up nicely for the Wolverines, and I am fully confident that Saturday will show a team that is running fluid, ready to take the program to the next level.

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