<p>Another exciting football season is upon us. Our schedule is going to be one of the tougher ones. We open our season against arguably the best team in the nation, defending national champion Alabama. Unless our front 5 on offense and front 4 on defense have an excellent day, and Robinson has a career day, this game will not be close. Even if the team plays very well, our chances are not good. The weather and crowd will favor the Tide, further complicating matters. I see us losing this one by 10-20 points. This said, with Denard, anything can happen. </p>
<p>We also travel to Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State and play Michigan State at home. Those four games could go either way, although I cannot imagine MSU beating us for a fifth straight time, especially in the Big House. Michigan beating Notre Dame a fourth straight time, particularly in South Bend is also unlikely. Nebraska was humiliated in Ann Arbor last year and will try to do the same in Lincoln this year. </p>
<p>Bottom line. although 14-0 is possible, I think this team will likely finish anywhere between 10-3 and 12-2. </p>
<p>But now that I think of it, the game will be played at 7:00 PM, so even if the game is played in open air, the sun and heat will not play a significant factor. It will still be hot though. Anyway, I am more concerned with the ability of our linemen to keep up with Alabama’s linemen on both sides of the ball. That’s where Alabama has a decided advantage and why I think we will lose this one.</p>
<p>Both Fitz Toussaint and Frank Clark did not head to Texas with the rest of the team today. Disappointed that we will not have two starters in the game, but proud of Coach Hoke and Michigan for once again doing the right thing. Go Blue!</p>
<p>Don’t worry RJK, Saban will probably call off the dogs by halftime and put his second/third string players to make the final score seem competitive!</p>
<p>Saban has no love for Michigan. If he can roll up the score, he will. Unfortunately, that’s just the way it is anymore in the world of college football. Teams get credit for crushing opponents and are rewarded at the end of the year with a big bowl game.</p>
<p>I am not sure suspending Toussaint was the right thing to do, but it will certainly quiet the critics. Clark should be suspended until he is cleared of all wrong-doing. DUI is boneheaded, but does not a criminal make. Stealing in any form is a crime and I do not belive any respectable athletic program should allow criminals on the team. </p>
<p>Not having Toussaint will hurt, but Rawls is supposed to be good, so hopefully, there won’t be too much of a drop off. Either way, if Michigan is to make it a game, it will have to play well in the trenches. If that happens, guys like Robinson and Rawls can carry the team.</p>
<p>Saw the equipment truck driving down I94 on Wed. Very impressive with winged helmet paint job.</p>
<p>I’m good with benching Fitz, sends right message to all. Smith can run, and I hear Rawles can too. Can they block? I hope Denard doesn’t get hammered by those big D-linemen and blitzing LBs.</p>
<p>I see USC just reinstated a top player who is also a convicted felon. It appears that some schools could care less about honor. Winning at all costs is what ultimately will ruin college football for me. </p>
<p>It looks like goldenboy was right. This game is a already a slaughter in the first half. I didn’t expect them to win, but I also didn’t expect them to play this poorly either. :-(</p>
<p>As painful as this game has been to watch, I’d still rather see the Wolverines schedule non-conference games like this instead of the powder puff teams they’ve played in the past. It stinks when you seem to be outclassed, but regardless of what the final score turns out to be Michigan should (and hopefully will) take much more away from this game than they would by beating up on SE Kentucky School of Hairdressing. It’s a good reminder that they’ve got a long way to go before they get back to being a perennial contender.</p>
<p>I expected a 10-20 point loss, but that was assuming Toussaint played. We lost by 27 without Toussaint. With the exception of the first quarter, Michigan played ok, considering the environment and the quality of Alabama’s overall defense and excellent OL. Denard played well (225 yards of total offense and 2 TDs), but unfortunately, one man cannot beat Alabama. </p>
<p>Assuming Michigan continues to improve, I stand by my earlier evaluation. We will most likely end the season anywhere between 10-3 and 12-2. Of course, 13-1 or 8-5 are also possible, but less likely.</p>
<p>Lewan is supposed to be ok. He was taken out as a precautionary measure. The game was out of reach anyway, so it made sense. He should be back against Air Force, but he may be given an extra week to heal completely before playing against UMass. </p>
<p>The extent of Countess’ injury is still unknown. Hopefully, he will be back quickly.</p>
<p>Lewan is far more important to the team, and he seems to have just been bruised rather than injured.</p>