The Wolverines have been in regression mode under Brady Hoke since his first year on the job, when the team capped the season by winning the Sugar Bowl. Since then, Michigan has gone from eleven wins, to eight wins, to seven wins this past year. Last season saw narrow victories over MAC and AAC cellar-dwellers Akron and UConn, an embarrassing defeat to arch-rival Michigan State, and a heartbreaking loss on a two-point conversion against Ohio State in The Game. After firing offensive coordinator Al Borges and bringing in former Alabama OC Doug Nussmeier, a big turnaround is needed for Hoke to stay off the hot seat, as his successor may be calling plays for the team right now. So let’s get to looking at their upcoming schedule.
Michigan Wolverines Schedule
W vs. Appalachian State, August 30th
Like many games on the schedule this year, this is a revenge game. After blocking a last second field goal attempt by Jason Gingell on September 1, 2007, Appalachian State performed the first ever upset of a ranked FBS team by an FCS team. Unlike the 2007 Mountaineers, this iteration of the team is not in the midst of winning three consecutive FCS Championships. Last year App State only won four games in their last season in the FCS. So don’t expect an upset this time.
Record: 1-0
L @ Notre Dame, September 6th
The final matchup between two of the most prominent football programs in the history of college football for the foreseeable future, the Irish have the home field advantage on top of playing under the lights. Last season’s result was the first time in five years that either team won by more than a possession. Expect a return to that trend as both teams lay it all on the line with the spoils going to Notre Dame, thanks to the return of Everett Golson.
Record: 1-1
W vs. Miami Ohio, September 13th
The only thing that could cast any doubt on the result of this contest is the fact that the RedHawks new head coach, Chuck Martin, is familiar with the Wolverines. Martin served as offensive coordinator under Brian Kelly at Notre Dame for the past few years, and also won two Division II Championships with Grand Valley State. However, the RedHawks have not won a game since 2012 and should be an easy win for the Wolverines after a disappointing loss at Notre Dame.
Record: 2-1
W vs. Utah, September 20th
This is another revenge game of sorts. When the two teams last met in 2008, the Utes were led by coach Kyle Whittingham and QB Brian Johnson, in Rich Rodriguez’s debut with Michigan. It was a close 25-23 win for the Utes, but this time the superior talent of the Wolverines should best the physical maturity of the typically older Utah players.
Record: 3-1
W vs. Minnesota, September 27th
The Wolverines have held possession of the Little Brown Jug for the past six years. There should be no change of hands this season, as the Gophers lost plenty of talent to graduation and the NFL last season, namely on defense with Brock Vereen and Ra’Shede Hageman. Unless offensive weapon Maxx Williams has a phenomenal game, this is an easy conference opener for the Wolverines.
Record: 4-1
L @ Rutgers, October 4th
The same thought goes into this game as with the Notre Dame game in terms of time and location. The Scarlet Knights will host the Wolverines at 7 p.m. which is to their advantage. Teams typically play better when they are at home and under the lights, which can easily flip the tables on a superior opponent in the college game. The Wolverines certainly have a fighting chance to win this game, but the field disadvantage may be what holds them back.
Record: 4-2
Six games into the season and Michigan holds a 4-2 record with a win and loss apiece in the Big Ten. The season would be neither made nor broken at this point, as the toughest portion of the schedule awaits in the second half. So stay tuned for part two and see where the Michigan Wolverines could be headed in December.
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