Michigan Football 2011: Are Denard Robinson and the Wolverines for Real?

Fresh off of a 58-0 victory over Minnesota, the Wolverines have jumped to No. 12 in the polls and many people are wondering whether they deserve that honor.

This is an entirely fair question as Michigan has started their season 5-0 for the last three years in a row before ending their season on a sour note. In 2009 they started 5-0, but did not record a single victory following their close win over Indiana and failed to qualify for a bowl game. In 2010, Michigan lost five of their final eight games and then lost 52-14 in their bowl game.

For Michigan fans in recent years, it has been tough to figure out what to make of their team. They have been characterized by amazing starts and abysmal finishes, but if you attended the game this past weekend, it would all be forgotten.

Michigan was phenomenal, scoring 21 points in the first quarter and never giving Minnesota a chance to wake up. To be fair to the rest of the college football world, Minnesota is not very good, but the fact that Michigan won a game that in the past they have found a way to lose was a great sign.

They are playing solid football. Their defense is getting on track, they are forcing turnovers and keeping teams out of the end zone.

Then comes the offense. Denard's play speaks for itself. He is brilliant on the field, and he has played more than well enough for them to win. If they keep this act together, they should have no trouble winning more games than they did in the past two years. 

Michigan's toughest part of the schedule has yet to be played, but so far they have been playing like a confident football team and there is no reason to believe that they will fall apart in the coming weeks.

They have played great football and it should continue through the end of the season.