Michigan Friday: Wolverines' Tough Non-Conference Schedule

The Sporting News ranked Michigan's 2011 non-conference schedule the hardest in the Big Ten.  The reason?  They play two BCS Schools, UConn and Notre Dame.  Sure there is a sighting of USC, Alabama, Miami, and the Arizona schools, but there are also Austin Peay, Towson, Arkansas State, South Dakota, every directional school in Illinois, and Northern Colorado.  I know Michigan has had it's share of mail in games, but this is somewhat embarrassing for the Big Ten in my opinion.  I didn't even know some of these schools played football. 

On a side note, I wasn't aware that Sam McGuffie was going to play against Big Ten school this year.  Northwestern plays at Rice.

1. Michigan: Connecticut, at Notre Dame, Massachusetts, Bowling Green

2. Iowa: Eastern Illinois, Iowa State, at Arizona, Ball State

3. Ohio State: Marshall, Miami (Fla.), Ohio, Eastern Michigan

4. Wisconsin: at UNLV, San Jose State, Arizona State, Austin Peay

5. Minnesota: at Middle Tennessee, South Dakota, USC, Northern Illinois

6. Penn State: Youngstown State, at Alabama, Kent State, Temple

7. Purdue: at Notre Dame, Western Illinois, Ball State, Toledo

8. Michigan State: Western Michigan, vs. Florida Atlantic, Notre Dame, Northern Colorado

9. Illinois: vs. Missouri, Southern Illinois, Northern Illinois, at Fresno State

10. Northwestern: at Vanderbilt, Illinois State, at Rice, Central Michigan

11. Indiana: Towson, at Western Kentucky, Akron, Arkansas State

• Lambeau Field says don't forget about us for the Big Ten championship game .  I'm guessing fans paying high dollar for their tickets aren't going to want to sit outside in early December. 

• The Michigan Daily previews the 2011 Michigan Linebackers .  IMO, this unit has the biggest upside on defensive and really needs to step up if Michigan is going to win some ball games.  The DB's and defensive line are going to be young and they are going to make mistakes.   The linebacking core needs to play like seniors.  If Jonas Mouton and Obi Ezeh don't make 1st or 2nd team All Big Ten then I think they have had a poor year and Michigan has given up a ton of points.

• As we know, one of Michigan's top prospects for the 2011 class is currently on campus: Dee Hart.  I consider Dee, Kris Frost and Anthony Zettel, the top 3 prospects on Michigan's board for 2011.