Michigan Football: 9 Worst-Case Scenarios for 2011

Projecting the upcoming Michigan football season has been as fickle as the springtime weather. The days have been mostly calm, thanks to the arrival of Brady Hoke, who has given Wolverine fans a ray of hope.

But it can't belong before thunderstorms and tornadoes swirl into the Big Ten from as far away as Kansas. Dreams so quickly turn into nightmares.

Naysayers from Columbus, East Lansing and even Lincoln spread a steady diet of gloom before Wolverine supporters can have their morning coffee.

They predict an early season loss to Notre Dame, then a repeat of the last half of 2010.

The next few slides illustrate how bad things can really get, on and off the field. 

Rees Comes off the Bench to Lead Notre Dame, Kelly 'Named' Coach of the Year

The first real test for Michigan comes in Week 2. Notre Dame arrives in town for the first night game in Big House history.

The game begins very similar to a year ago. Dayne Crist is crushed by Big Will Campbell and is replaced by Tommy Rees.

Instead of struggling, Rees throws four touchdown passes and the Irish prevail, 33-6.

NBC, which is fairly close to Notre Dame football, proclaims Brian Kelly Coach of the Year. 

Eight Freshmen Suspended for Obtaining Advance Copies of "Raw Carrots" Test

Michigan fans recall a certain local newspaper starting the whole practice-gate scandal by reporting that the Wolverines broke NCAA rules for practice time. As it eventually played out, the NCAA ruled the original reports were slightly exaggerated. No question there was egg on the face of the local rag.  

So instead of licking its wounds, the newspaper felt it was time for revenge. An article appeared the night before the San Diego State game detailing how eight Michigan freshmen obtained advance copies of the "Raw Carrots" test.

The NCAA promised to get to the bottom of it. The newspaper claimed the death penalty was imminent.

Like it was right on cue, a subdued Michigan team lost to the Aztecs, 24-23.   

Conditions Better Suited for a Hockey Game

You'd think the weather on October 8th wouldn't be this bad. The combination of overcast skies, 45 degree temperatures and a damp wind gusting off the lake, made it feel like the dead of winter.

With no more than 18,000 fans in the Ryan Field stands, you'd wonder why Northwestern officials failed to play this game in Wrigley Field. Who knows, maybe they feared a conflict with the Cubs playoff schedule.

Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa never warmed up to the conditions. Perhaps, he was still nursing the after effects of last season's achilles injury.

He completed only six of 21 passes before getting pulled early in the third quarter. For Michigan, Denard Robinson had his best night of the season to date. The junior signal-caller ran for 150 yards and passed for 95 as Michigan defeated the Wildcats, 20-3.   

Little Brother Smacks Gasping Wolverines

In conjunction with a Friday night pep rally in East Lansing, a ribbon-cutting ceremony helped rename Grand River Avenue, Little Brother Lane. The celebration became a tad rowdy as three campus buildings were burned to the ground. 

As the smoke settled just above Spartan Stadium as the game began, several Michigan State football players were seen with gas masks under the stands.

On the Michigan side, all you could see were a few face masks. Needless to say, Michigan struggled throughout the game as Kirk Cousins threw for more than 300 yards and Edwin Baker ran for 125 more.

Michigan State won its fourth straight in the series as Brady Hoke was bamboozled.    

Time To Junk the Pro Set

The pundits have been saying it all along. Until Brady Hoke brought in his own players, the new pro-set offense was going to struggle.

Robinson was having trouble making his reads, Gardner was sluggish as a backup and freshman Russell Bellomy hadn't played a down.

The running game was also disappointing. Robinson was averaging just 90 yards a game, while Stephen Hopkins was running for 65 and Michael Cox 47.

As Purdue came in for homecoming, Hoke was going to run a variation of the spread so Robinson could get more carries.

At this point of the season, with Michigan's overall record 3-4 and 1-2 in the league, the fans were getting restless.

Michigan went on to beat Purdue 24-12, but boos were heard throughout the Big House.   

With Eligibility Surprisingly Remaining, Sheridan Attempts To Rescue Wolverines

At Iowa, Michigan won a 14-13 come-from-behind affair, but it was costly. Robinson didn't start because of a deep thigh bruise suffered in the Purdue game, and Devin Gardner sprained his wrist in the third quarter when his arm collided with a Hawkeye helmet.

Robinson was able to finish out the game as Iowa wasn't able to mount much of an attack.

At Illinois, a surprise player carried a clipboard along the sidelines as Robinson gingerly moved the ball

Apparently, Nick Sheridan had a year's eligibility remaining, and Hoke was able to convince him to finish out the 2011 season. Like clockwork, Robinson aggravated his leg early in the fourth quarter with Illinois ahead 28-14.  Sheridan was able to drive Michigan down to the Illinois 12 but could get no closer. A Matt Wile 29-yard field goal brought Michigan within 11, but the Wolverines did not score for the rest of the game.

Nebraska Welcomes Michigan to the Big Ten

Michigan fans remember how the Wolverines nearly won the 2005 Alamo Bowl on a last-second rugby play. Visions of Tyler Ecker racing down the sidelines as fans, coaches and players ran onto the field were bizarre. It was bedlam for sure, but Nebraska escaped with the 32-28 victory.

Fans also remember the 1997 season when the two teams shared the national title. You can be sure that a rivalry is in the making.

Nebraska fans believe the 2011 matchup will be either a tossup or a huge Nebraska win.

Michigan, at this point in the season, is saddled with two banged-up quarterbacks, a journeyman who plays like one and a freshman who's hanging on to his redshirt.

Nebraska's Taylor Martinez, who's been struggling to stay out of Bo Pelini's dog house, was the difference as the two teams met in Ann Arbor. Martinez scored from three yards out with 1:55 left to put Nebraska ahead 21-14, but Robinson couldn't fuel a last-second scoring drive.

The good news is that both Wolverine quarterbacks were pronounced fit at the game's end.           

It Looked Good on Paper...

When Michigan was having a lousy season, fans would sell their tickets to Buckeye supporters. There had to be 20,000 or more fans at the Big House. Even with a win over Ohio State, 2011 would be considered a failure.

It didn't matter that Denard Robinson threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns. It didn't matter that Michael Cox broke loose for 146 rushing yards. It also didn't matter that Michigan's improving defense held the Buckeyes to 395 total yards.

What did matter was all the smack that would come out of the Ohio fanbase after the 24-20 Buckeye victory. After all, it was the eighth straight defeat in this storied rivalry. And Ann Arbor will not nearly be as pleasant as the previous offseason. Michigan has plenty of work to do.       

Everything's All Right, You Can Wake Up Now

OK, sorry for the little scare. Out dearest Dorothy tapped her ruby slippers, and we can all wake up now.

This light-hearted nightmare may have seemed too real. Look, who could have thought Nick Sheridan would return. 

The truth is, Michigan is light years away from the Rich Rodriguez disaster. The Wolverines should finish no worse than 8-4 and have a legitimate chance of beating the Buckeyes.

There's also a good chance little brother may be quiet. Well, almost.

Bottom line is that the Wolverines will play competitive, hard-nosed football. It was a long time coming.