Michigan Football: News, Notes and Updates Before the Season Opener

It's opening week, and Wolverine fans are geared up to see their new-look team take the field.

With new systems on both sides of the ball, we should be viewing a much more familiar-looking team with the return to a more pro-style attack.

The new coaching staff is hoping for stout defense and championship-caliber effort out of their players as they look to return the Maize and Blue to glory.

Here are a few stories leading into the opening weekend.

Hoke Says They Still Aren't Ready...

Brady Hoke is saying that his team is still not ready for the opening game against Western Michigan.

Is this just a ploy to motivate his team to prove him wrong? Western Michigan will be one of the better teams in the MAC, but do they have enough to battle the Maize and Blue?

Michigan has gotten off to a quick start over the last few years, then faltered late. I think it's likely that another fast start is what we will see from the Wolverines.

They may not be ready according to Coach Hoke, but I have a feeling it won't look that way this Saturday.

Western Michigan Says They Don't Fear Denard Robinson

The last time Western Michigan entered the Big House, they were shredded by the mobile Denard Robinson in his freshman year.

The highlight of the day came on a play where Denard actually dropped the ball, picked it up and scampered for a 43-yard touchdown run en route to a 31-7 victory.

That was in 2009. Now, in 2011, the Broncos are ready for another shot at Robinson, but say they aren't afraid of Robinson brings to the table.

Denard has made a living in the beginning of seasons against lesser opponents, posting Heisman-like numbers in the first half of the season last year.

Western feels more prepared, and had better be if they want to hang in the game at the Big House on Saturday.

Hoke Is Nervous About His Debut in Blue

Brady Hoke says he is nervous about his debut as the head coach for the Michigan Wolverines.

“My nervousness comes when you ask yourself if you’re dotting all the I’s and crossing all the T’s.”

""

Hoke hopes to have his team ready and impress fans this Saturday. Nothing would be better for him than to open the Hoke-era with a victory at home, even if it is against lesser opposition.

Hoke has high expectations to meet, and is feeling the pressure to restore a once-legendary football program.

Captains Are Named

Michigan now has their captains named as of this past week. Seniors Kevin Koger, Mike Martin and David Molk will be assuming the duty this year for the Wolverines.

They were selected by their teammates to lead them into the 2011 campaign. Koger, Martin and Molk have all shown great leadership qualities throughout a few-year period when the Wolverines experienced a tumultuous coaching change and struggled to meet expectations.

Expect these kids to use that experience to make Brady Hoke's first year a little bit more manageable.

First Depth Chart Released

Coach Hoke has been keeping things close to the vest so far this offseason, not revealing a ton of information on who will play or what their offense and defense will look like.

On Monday, Michigan released their first depth chart for 2011. It looks as though JT Floyd will start at corner opposite Troy Woolfolk.

Along the defensive line, Ann Arbor native Will Heninger will get the start at defensive end along with Craig Roh. Mike Martin and Ryan Van Bergen will be the defensive tackles, with Will Campbell rotating in to give them a blow.

The running back position is still up for grabs, but it looks as though Michael Shaw leads the race to be the starter. Fitzgerald Toussaint is pushing for the job, which likely won't be decided upon until Saturday's game.

Next Year's Recruiting Class Debuts and Shines in High School Games

Several of Michigan's highly-touted recruits opened their high school seasons last weekend, and many of them shined in their 2011 debuts.

Defensive end recruit Mario Ojemudia helped lead Farmington Hills Harrison to a dominant 43-7 victory over Detroit Cass Tech, recording two sacks and putting pressure on the quarterback all night.

Linebacker Joe Bolden recorded eight tackles in a victory for Colerain High School over Cocoa (Fla.), a team that had won 38 straight games leading up to last weekend.

Terry Richardson was roughed up a little bit by MSU-commit Aaron Burbridge and looks as though he needs to add a little bit of strength to the elite speed that he possesses.

Michigan a Two-Touchdown Favorite

The experts in Vegas have the Wolverines listed as a 13.5 point favorite, which has moved down from 14.

Considering the early-season success that Michigan has had in the last few years, two touchdowns would seem like a fairly reasonable cover.

The Wolverines are putting in two new systems on both sides of the ball, and Western does have a very talented quarterback in Alex Carder, so a little bit of doubt is reasonable.

Michigan will face their first real test on Saturday, but if the handicappers in the desert know what they're doing (and they usually do), the Wolverines should handle the Broncos in week one.

Week 1 Prediction

Michigan is 5-0 all-time against Western Michigan, and they win those games by an average of 24 points per game.

The last meeting was in 2009, when the Wolverines won 31-7, a 24-point win.

Despite the new systems that will be implemented, Michigan;s talent should be too much for the Broncos to handle.

The Wolverines win comfortably, and cover the 13.5 point spread set by Vegas.