Michigan Football: Previewing the Western Michigan Game

Michigan football fortunes hit rock-bottom on New Year's Day when Mississippi State guaranteed Rich Rodriguez's departure with a 52-14 Gator Bowl victory. The scene was somewhat reminiscent of Michigan's 50-20 loss to Ohio State in 1968.

Out the door went Bump Elliott, and in came relatively-unknown Bo Schembechler.

There's no way Wolverine fans could anticipate the level of success they would enjoy over the next 38 seasons.

The Wolverines start new Saturday, with what some say is a Schembechler clone. Brady Hoke has arrived in Ann Arbor with a no-nonsense attitude and a defense-first approach.

His first test will be against the Western Michigan Broncos, who struggled through a 6-6 campaign in 2010 and are listed as 14-point underdogs.

Upsetting Michigan in a home opener is rare. The Wolverines have posted a 92-15-2 record in Ann Arbor openers.

The Broncos, however, boast perhaps the best passing combination in the Mid-American Conference. Quarterback Alex Carder threw for 3,334 yards and 30 touchdowns, while wide receiver Jordan White caught 94 passes including 10 touchdowns in 2010.

Let's see how Carder and White fare before the huge Big House crowd. A look at the tendencies of both teams follow.

Fast Facts

When: Sept. 3, 3:30 p.m.

Where: Michigan Stadium

Largest Crowd: 113,090 (Connecticut, 2010), NCAA single-game record

Expected Attendance: 112,000

Weather: 40% chance of T-Storms, high 89

Television: ABC

Last Meeting: Michigan 31, WMU 7 (2009)

Series vs. Western: Michigan, 5-0

Michigan Offense

The Wolverines are led by Heisman Trophy hopeful Denard Robinson. The junior quarterback won the Chicago Tribune Big Ten MVP Award and led the Big Ten in total offense with 4,272 yards last season. Robinson also led the Big Ten in rushing (1,702 yards), while passing for an additional 2,570 yards.   

But he was also plagued by nagging injuries late in the season, and his numbers suffered down the stretch.

The coaching staff is hoping to limit Robinson's carries this fall by featuring more of a power running attack and less of the read option. Look for tight end Kevin Koger and fullback John McColgan to have expanded roles.

Against Western, look for Michigan to run some screens and draws to negate Western's strong pass-rush.

Western Michigan Defense

Named "Team Train Wreck," the Western Michigan defensive line has already been the talk of the town in Kalamazoo.  Ends Paul Hazel and Freddie Bishop, along with tackles Drew Nowak and Travonte Boles, are expected to terrorize enemy quarterbacks all season long.

Problem is, the Broncos' defense gave up a Michigan-like 387 yards last season, bad enough for 73rd in the country.

That may explain why the linebackers and secondary are starting the season nameless.

There is one defender, however, that Michigan has already noticed. He's cornerback Lewis Toler, who intercepted five passes as a redshirt freshman a season ago. 

Western Michigan Offense

There's no kidding around on this side of the ball. Both quarterback Alex Carder and wide receiver Jordan White are legitimate All-American candidates.

Carder begins his second full year as the Broncos' signal-caller, having passed for 30 touchdowns and a 63.1 completion percentage in 2010. In the 38-14 loss to Michigan State, Carder threw 49 times, completing 27 for 220 yards and two touchdowns.

White, a sixth-year senior, caught eight passes for 82 yards against the Spartans. He finished the season with 94 catches and 10 touchdowns.

Tevin Drake and Brian Fields make up the two-headed rushing machine, combining for only 778 yards a season ago.   

Michigan Defense

The Michigan defense is trying to rebound from what was perhaps the worst unit in Michigan football history.

New defensive coordinator Greg Mattison certainly has the credentials to help.

After two seasons in charge of the defense, the Baltimore Ravens made the playoffs both times, and finished third and 10th in total defense.

The strength of Michigan's defense this fall will be the depth in the secondary and the play of nose tackle Mike Martin.

Cornerbacks Troy Woolfolk and J.T. Floyd were missing at the season's end with foot and ankle injuries. Both have returned, along with an influx of a few youngsters who may make an immediate impact. Freshmen Gregg Brown and Blake Countess expect to play immediately.

At safety, Jordan Kovacs anchors the group, which includes Marvin Robinson, Carvin Johnson, and Josh Furman.

The defensive unit will still be the weak link of the team this fall, but look for significant improvement over a forgettable 2010.    

Special Teams

Michigan's problems in the kicking game have been well-documented. Punter Will Hagerup has been suspended for the first four games, while Michigan field goal kickers made a sickly four of 14 last season.

True freshman Matt Wile will handle the punting duties in Hagerup's absence. It's also possible he may share field goal duties with Brendon Gibbons.

For Western Michigan, punter Ben Armer and kicker John Potter were consistent a year ago.

Armer averaged 41.4 yards per punt, while Potter connected on 10 of 12 field goal attempts. 

Prediction

Western Michigan has never beaten the Wolverines (0-5), and Michigan has a 27-1 record against the Mid-American Conference.

Yet, the odds-makers have only installed Michigan as a 14-point favorite.

They're obviously showing great respect for Western Michigan quarterback Alex Carder, who completed 63 percent of his passes and threw for 3,334 yards in 2010.

They've yet to respect Brady Hoke's arrival on the Ann Arbor campus. There's also concern about Michigan's transition to a more power-running attack and how Denard Robinson will adjust to playing under center.   

Two years ago, Robinson made highlight reels everywhere with a 43-yard touchdown run on his first carry from scrimmage during Michigan's 31-7 win over the Broncos.

But the odds-makers also remember the nightmares in Columbus and Jacksonville.

Look for Michigan, with the help of 112,000 screaming fans, to erase some of those bad memories.

Prediction: Michigan 38, Western Michigan 14.