College Football 2011: Michigan's 2011 Schedule, Game by Game

The 2011 Michigan Wolverines football team will be the center of attention in the Big Ten this year.

First-year head coach Brady Hoke hopes to bring the Wolverines back to national prominence.

Star quarterback Denard Robinson is returning, and the defense is revamped under new defensive coordinator Greg Mattison.

The 2011 schedule sets up very favorably for the Wolverines.  Both Penn State and Wisconsin are off the schedule, and they play Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State at the Big House.

Here is a game-by-game breakdown of the Michigan football schedule in 2011.

Sept. 3: Western Michigan

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ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 5: Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines carries the ball against David Lewis #26 of the Western Michigan Broncos during the game on September 5, 2009 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus

The season-opener against Western Michigan will be nothing more than a formality for the Wolverines.

Look for Denard and company to put up huge numbers and sit for the fourth quarter.

Sept. 10: Notre Dame

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SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 30: Dayne Crist #10 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks for a receiver against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Notre Dame Stadium on October 30, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Tulsa defeated Notre Dame 28-27. (Photo by Jonathan Dan

The first night game at the Big House will be a great one.

Notre Dame comes in as a much improved team, and just like the past two years, it will be a hard-fought battle 'til the end.

Dayne Crist and the offense will do some damage, so Troy Woolfolk and the defense will have to mature in a hurry for the Wolverines to win a third straight against the Irish.

Sept. 17: Eastern Michigan

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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 25: Ben Thayer #81 of the Eastern Michigan Eagles runs with the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 73-20. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

This game will be just like the Western Michigan game.

Huge numbers for Denard, starters rest in the fourthquarter.

Sept. 24: San Diego State

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 20: Quarterback Ryan Lindley #14 of the San Diego State Aztecs throws a pass against the Utah Utes at Qualcomm Stadium on November 20, 2010 in San Diego, California. Utah won 38-34. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

This game could get interesting.

The San Diego State players will try to show their former coach that they weren’t just a one-year wonder, and their tenacity and heart will get them out to an early lead.

Michigan will come back in the second half to win, but it will be closer than people think.

Oct. 1: Minnesota

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 18: Da'Jon McKnight #6 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrates after catching a pass for a touchdown during the game against the USC Trojans on September 18, 2010 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie

Minnesota has too many questions surrounding their team to put up that big of a fight against the Wolverines.

Michigan will have no problem dispatching of the Golden Gophers.

Oct. 8: Northwestern

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Dan Persa #7 of the Northwestern Wildcats looks for a receiver against the Michigan State Spartans at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Ge

Michigan’s first away game is at Northwestern, and the Wildcats will be poised to strike.

Dan Persa will be back from injury, and coach Pat Fitzgerald will be ready for the Wolverines.

Northwestern is a contender in the Big Ten in 2011, and the Wildcats' offense will give the Michigan defense all they can handle.

This one may turn out to be a shootout, and whether Persa or Robinson has the ball in his hands last, may decide the game.

Oct. 15: Michigan State

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ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Michigan State Spartans warms up during the Capitol One Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

This game had a lot of hype in 2010 and was predicted to be a close contest.  Instead, the Spartans spanked the Wolverines.

2011 will be different though.

The Spartans and Wolverines will be a very close game this year.  Don’t be shocked if Hoke does in his first year what Rich Rodriguez couldn’t do his entire stay in Ann Arbor, and that's beat the “little brother.”

Oct. 29: Purdue

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 04: Robert Marve #9 of the Purdue Boilermakers turns to roll out against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 4, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defated Purdue 23-12. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel

Homecoming will be sweet for the Wolverines.

Aside from quarterback Robert Marve, there is not much to the Boilermakers in 2011.

Michigan should cruise to a victory against Purdue.

Nov. 5: Iowa

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 14: Quarterback James Vandenberg #16 of the Iowa Hawkeyes gets ready to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Michigan will win this game—not because of how good they will be in 2011, but how bad Iowa will be.

The Hawkeyes will have to replace their quarterback and top two running backs, among other positions, and they will not contend for the Big Ten title.

Even though Kinnick Stadium is one of the toughest venues for a visitor to play, the Wolverines will be able to get the job done.

Nov. 12: Illinois

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 02: Nathan Scheelhaase #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks for a receiver against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio State defeated Illinois 24-13. (Photo by Jonathan Da

Though the score won’t be 67-65 again, the 2011 version of this game will be another high-scoring affair.

Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase will match Denard Robinson drive-for-drive, and Illinois will give the Wolverines everything they’ve got.

Michigan's defense might be called upon to halt a last-minute Illini drive.

Nov. 19: Nebraska

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Taylor Martinez #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers drops back to pass against the Oklahoma Sooners during the Big 12 Championship at Cowboys Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/

Nebraska will give Michigan a tough match.

The Wolverines' defense doesn’t usually fair too well against dual-threat quarterbacks, so look for Taylor Martinez to fill up the stat sheet.

For Michigan to win, they will need to correct the issues they have against running quarterbacks, and they’ll need Denard Robinson to have a great day throwing the ball.

Nov. 26: Ohio State

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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 12: Head coach Jim Tressel of the Ohio State Buckeyes leaves the field after losing 18-15 to the Southern California Trojans on September 12, 2009 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Despite Ohio State’s recent run of success, anything is possible in this game.

The 2011 Buckeyes will be under a microscope after the suspensions of coach Jim Tressel and five of his players, including quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

The turmoil will impact the Buckeyes this season; they won’t be a cohesive unit, and their chemistry will be affected by the suspensions.

The defense will hold strong, and by game 12, Hoke will have figured out how to best utilize Denard Robinson’s talents.

The Wolverines will pull off the upset over a demoralized Buckeyes' squad in 2011.