What does 2009 hold for the Maze and Blue, Part II

 

The second half of the season begins with Michigan’s final non-conference game as the Delaware State Hornets travel to Ann Arbor. The Hornets were 5-6 last season, which concluded with a tough win at Howard. The last time the Wolverine splayed a Division 1-AA team, we all remember what happened. With this game being played this late in the season, look for Michigan to win this game with somewhat ease, 42-17.

 

Next up is the Penn State Nittany Lions, who will visit the Big House. Joe Paterno’s team is coming off an 11-2 season which was book ended with a lop sided loss to Southern California in the Rose Bowl. Penn State will be favored by many to win the Big Ten in the upcoming season and the Wolverines will hang with them, much like they did last year but the Nittany Lions will pull it out in the end, 28-24.

 

It doesn’t get any easier the following week as the Wolverines travel to Champaign to play Illinois. The Illini are coming off a 5-7 season which ended with a loss at Northwestern. The Illini are always tougher to be at home but look for Michigan to get the job done in a very close game and avenge last season’s loss to Ron Zook’s team , 20-16.

 

Michigan then returns to Ann Arbor to host the Purdue Boilermakers. Purdue is coming off a 4-8 season which concluded with a blowout win against arch rival Indiana. Michigan should have beaten the Boilermakers last year in West Lafayette and this season, they will take care of business at home with a 28-13 win.

 

The Wolverines will then hit the road for their final road game of the year as they will travel to Madison to play Wisconsin. The Badgers are coming off a 7-6 season which was book ended by a embarrassing loss to Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl. The Badgers are one of the best home teams in the Big Ten year in and year out and the Wolverines may be looking ahead to the following week. Michigan loses an ugly game 35-17.

 

The regular season comes to an end as the Ohio State Buckeyes travel to the Big House to renew what is easily the biggest rivalry in college sports. The Buckeyes are coming off a 10-3 record that ended with a hard fought loss to Texas in the Fiesta Bowl. The Buckeyes have owned the Wolverines in recent years but I see Michigan putting an end to that with a win in instant classic, defeating Ohio State 42-39.

 

So there you have it, the Wolverines finish the season defeating the hated Buckeyes and finish with a 9-3 overall record, 5-3 in the Big Ten. This type of season would get the Wolverines into possibility the Capital One Bowl and more importantly, give the Maze and Blue faithful something to cheer about and build on heading into the 2010 season.