What does 2009 hold for the Maze and Blue?

A few weeks ago, the Michigan Wolverines completed their 2009 schedule by adding Division 1-AA Delaware State as the fourth and final non- conference opponent.  Now that the schedule is set, I thought it would be interesting to run through each game and predict where the Wolverines will finish next season in a two part series.

 

The season opens up Western Michigan visiting the Big House. This is not a sure win for the Wolverines like it has been in past meetings with the Broncos. WMU is coming off a 9-4 season that ended with a blow out loss to Rice in the Texas Bowl. Never the less, the Broncos will easily be a top five team in a solid MAC next season and should be able to hang with the Wolverines. In the end, I see the Wolverines winning a very competitive game 24-14.

 

Next up is date with the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame at Michigan Stadium. The Irish are coming off a 7-6 season book ended with an impressive win over Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl. Michigan was the better team last year in South Bend but turnovers cost them the game. Look for the Wolverines to get revenge at home and beat Notre Dame in a nail bitter, 34-31.

 

The following week the Eastern Michigan Eagles visit Ann Arbor. The Eagles are coming off a 3-9 campaign which ended with a loss in a shoot out with Central Michigan. This could be the easiest game on the schedule for the Wolverines as I see the Eagles hanging around in the first half only to fall behind in second half. Wolverines win 41-17.

 

Homecoming is up next as the Indiana Hoosiers visit the Big House. Indiana is coming off a 3-9 season that book ended with an embarrassing loss to instate rival Purdue. Indiana may be the weakest team in the Big Ten next season so look for the Wolverines to take care of business with a 31-10 win.

 

The Wolverines will then travel up to East Lansing to play arch rival Michigan State. The Spartans finished 9-4 last season which ended with a loss to Georgia in the Capital One Bowl. This will be a tough task for the Wolverines but they usually don’t lose two years in a row to the Spartans. Wolverines win 27-24.

 

Next up is a trip to Iowa City to battle the Hawkeyes, who are coming off a 9-4 season which concluded with a win over South Carolina in the Outback Bowl. Iowa should be one of the tougher teams in the Big Ten next season and are as good as anybody at home. Look for the Wolverines to drop their first game of the season by a score of 20-10.

 

As I see it, the Wolverines will sit at 5-1 overall, 2-1 in the Big Ten at the mid point of the season. The second half preview is coming soon so stay tuned.