Michigan Football: Breakdown of Wolverines' Most Crucial Big Ten Matchups

Coming off an 11-2 season that finished with a victory over Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl, the Michigan Wolverines closed out at No. 9 in the rankings and have all kinds of momentum heading into the 2012 season.

Head coach Brady Hoke reeled in a top-10 recruiting class (No. 4 on Scout.com, No. 7 on Rivals.com) and returns Heisman hopeful quarterback Denard Robinson. The beginning of Michigan's 2012 campaign is rough, with Air Force sandwiched between Alabama and Notre Dame.

That said, playing for the Big Ten title is always the first goal in mind for the Wolverines, and the conference is impressive from top to bottom. Here, we look at the most crucial conference games that will determine Michigan's season this fall.

Full view of Rivals.com 2012 recruiting class rankings.

Full view of Scout.com 2012 recruiting class rankings.

at Purdue Boilermakers

The Boilermakers are a sneaky good team that relies on a tough defense. Finishing 7-6 a year ago, Purdue is led by defensive lineman Kawann Short, who has accumulated 33.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks during his tenure.

Bringing in Rivals.com's No. 33 ranked recruiting class, look for Purdue to build on its solid pass defense. Denard Robinson will have limited time in the pocket as he also loses center David Molk to the NFL.

Offense is where the Boilermakers struggle. They averaged just under 27 points per game last season but were held to less than that average eight times. As long as Michigan can limit the production of dual-threat running back Ralph Bolden, the Wolverines will pull away late.

Purdue's forte is to run the ball, which was also Michigan's defensive weakness in 2011. Expect a slow game at the start, but Robinson's mobility and spreading of the field will force the Boilermakers on their heels.

vs. Michigan State Spartans

Not since 2007 has Michigan defeated its bitter in-state rival Michigan State, and the Spartans won't be an easy game in 2012 either.

Fortunately for the Wolverines, Sparty loses multiple veterans in Kirk Cousins, Edwin Baker, B.J. Cunningham, Keshawn Martin and Jerel Worthy to the NFL. In addition, the Spartans' recruiting classes aren't nearly as impressive, so Michigan will enter as the favorites.

In this game, anticipate Michigan blitzing relentlessly, as Sparty's Andrew Maxwell has limited experience under center. Running back Le'Veon Bell will be heavily relied on, but there aren't any well-established receivers to work off play-action.

Defense is Michigan State's strength, with defensive back Johnny Adams and end William Gholston leading the way. Provided that Gholston is isolated with a double-team and the ground game gets rolling, Michigan can have success off bootlegs and sprint outs.

The Wolverines will come out blazing, as Sparty has held them to under 20 points the previous two meetings. 

at Nebraska Cornhuskers

Not only are the Nebraska Cornhuskers a tough game, but this can be viewed as a trap game, as well. After playing Michigan State, the 'Huskers are next on the schedule, and coach Bo Pelini presents another impressive team.

Nebraska brings in the No. 25 recruiting class on Rivals.com, and quarterback Taylor Martinez is still at the helm. A dual-threat just like Robinson, Martinez has displayed improvement as a passer, but the real man to stop is running back Rex Burkhead.

He's averaged over 1,300 total yards the past two seasons and scored 24 touchdowns for the 'Huskers. Linebacker Kenny Demens will need to isolate Burkhead all game long, because the Michigan offense will have balanced success to force a faster-paced game.

The Cornhuskers lose Jared Crick, Alfonzo Dennard and Lavonte David to the pros, so Robinson will enjoy an encore performance from 2011 and remain in the conference title race.

at Ohio State Buckeyes

Easily and by far the most important game on the schedule this season for Michigan, Ohio State has the counter to Brady Hoke with two-time national champion Urban Meyer.

The Buckeyes also reeled in a top-five recruiting class (No. 4 on Rivals.com, No. 3 on Scout.com), so it's safe to say the rivalry is back in full-force mode. That being said, the Bucks' do lose running back Dan Herron, lineman Mike Adams and receiver DeVier Posey to the NFL.

Luckily for Ohio State, the stingy defense remains intact, as guys like John Simon and Johnathan Hankins control the line of scrimmage. At this point in the season, Michigan will have the Big Ten Legends Division locked up, so this could be a preview to the Big Ten championship game.

Braxton Miller is developing well as a dynamic quarterback, which will force the Wolverines to play more zone coverage and use linebacker spies. Fortunately for Michigan, this game will come down to the more effective rushing attack.

Fitzgerald Toussaint will be fed early and often to setup the pass, thus limiting Ohio State's possessions in the first half.

John Rozum on Twitter.