Michigan Football: Can't-Miss Matchups for Wolverines Fans in 2012

The Michigan Wolverines football program opens up the 2012 college football season with a bang against the defending national champions in a must-see matchup of heavyweight powerhouses. 

The fun doesn't end there for fans of Big Blue, as Michigan's schedule boasts a handful of big-time, can't-miss matchups for Wolverines supporters and college football enthusiasts alike.

Here, we break down a trio of can't-miss games on Michigan's slate in 2012.

September 1: Alabama

The Wolverines will have their work cut out for them in their season-opening matchup with the defending national champions at Cowboys Stadium. Alabama enters the 2012 season ranked No. 2 in the country and returns a stellar defense and solid signal-caller under center in A.J. McCarron.

The Crimson Tide rarely turn the ball over and know how to dictate the pace of a game better than any other team in college football. Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson will need to keep the arrant throws to a minimum in this matchup, as Alabama will make him and the Wolverines pay for every mistake.

Robinson threw 15 interceptions in 2011, but he has never faced a defense as brutal and unforgiving as the Crimson Tide's. If Michigan can survive its 2012 opener against the nation's best, it will be on its way to playing for a national championship at season's end. 

The two programs have not met since the 2000 Orange Bowl, when Tom Brady led the Wolverines to a thrilling 35-34 win over the Crimson Tide. 

September 22: Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish will be determined to avenge their heartbreaking 2011 defeat at the hands of Michigan. The Wolverines scored with seconds remaining to take the lead for good in Ann Arbor last season, sending Notre Dame to 0-2 on the season. 

This time around, the two rivals will meet in South Bend, where the crowd is sure to be hostile toward Big Blue. The matchup with Notre Dame is also Michigan's first true road test of 2012, which should provide fans with a good look at how the Wolverines play under pressure away from home. 

Robinson's play was astounding in Michigan's most recent meeting with Notre Dame. Robinson threw for four touchdowns and ran for another while amassing nearly 450 total yards from scrimmage. Unless the Irish have an answer for Robinson or figure out how to slow him, Michigan will likely be on its way to a 1-0 road record in 2012.

An important stat to remember is that Michigan has beaten Notre Dame in the teams' last three meetings, winning by a combined 12 points. 

November 24: Ohio State

Michigan ended a lengthy drought against the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2011, beating its rivals for the first time since 2003.

In 2012, the Wolverines will be looking to make it two straight against Ohio State. It won't be easy though, as Urban Meyer has taken over in Columbus, where the Buckeyes return nine starters on defense and boast the 2011 Big Ten Freshman of the Year in quarterback Braxton Miller. 

Michigan will again be on the road in this can't-miss matchup, taking on the Buckeyes in front of their screaming supporters inside Ohio Stadium. The Wolverines have not beaten the Buckeyes in Columbus since 2000, which means that regardless of what the two teams' records are coming into the final regular-season game of the year, the Buckeyes will have the slight edge. 

Although Michigan has the better team and arguably more talent than Ohio State this season, the Buckeyes will save their best football for the end, as November 24 is already circled on their calendars. 

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter all season long for more college football reaction and analysis.