Michigan Football: What Wolverines Must Do to Avoid Choking Season Away

There is a decent chance that Michigan comes out of September with a 2-2 record. I wouldn't call it likely, but I don't think it's far off.

The Notre Dame game on Sep. 22 will once again have a big impact on how Michigan does the rest of the season. If they win that game, they will likely go on to have an outstanding season. If they lose, things won't be as sweet.

Starting 2-2 is obviously bad, but it's not as bad as fans think. The ultimate goal is winning the Big Ten title, and losses to Alabama and Notre Dame wouldn't have an impact on that goal.

That's why I don't think there is any chance of the players getting discouraged or too down on themselves if the team does indeed get off to a 2-2 start. And the coaches obviously wouldn't allow it, either.

Plus, I think this group of kids have been through more than enough to survive a possible 2-2 start. These seniors were there for the bowl-less season of 2009, and the fifth-year kids were even there for the disaster that was 2008. In other words, these kids have been through it all.

I guess there's the possibility of some of the younger players getting down on themselves, but the senior leaders on the team (Denard Robinson, Craig Roh, Jordan Kovacs, etc.) wouldn't allow that to last for long.

After seeing how the players on Team 132 handled themselves, we've come to realize that the seniors basically represent the coaches, but in player form. The similarities between the two are endless, ranging from the ways they speak to the ways they live their lives.

With guys like that on the team, I don't think a meltdown or a collapse is anything to worry about. Even if this team does start 2-2, the next two games are against Purdue and Illinois, which are two perfect ways to rebound.

Michigan State would be next—a game that I don't think many people think they'll lose—and by that point, they'll be in late October.

Worst-case scenario, this team should be 5-2 and undefeated in Big Ten play when they head into a huge road clash against Nebraska on Oct. 27.

Regardless of the outcome of that game, this team doesn't have to worry about any kind of meltdown or collapse at any point during the season.