2008 Season Michigan Preview: Game by Game Predictions

8/30: Utah - at the Big House: Tabbed the new uniform bowl by this blog as both Universities will be debuting their non-Nike Jerseys (Utah-Under Armour, Michigan-Adidas). This is no opening cupcake game for either team. Utah is rated higher in most polls then Michigan but come in as a 3 point dog. The Utes are an experienced team coming off a 9-4 record last year. Their two best players are their QB and Kicker. Yes, their kicker Louie Sakoda is one of the best in the nation. Not real good for the Wolverines if this is a close game down to the wire. Utah also is known as fast starters in 2007: First Qtr scoring Utah 68 - opponents 19.

Prediction: Michigan 30 - Utah 21

9/6: Miami (OH) - at the Big House: As we know Michigan shouldn't over look anyone, mostly with a young team. Miami is no MAC push over but Michigan has a way to beating every MAC team they have ever played. This game will be close for a quarter or so before Michigan finds it's footing. Prediction: Michigan 28 - Miami (OH) 10

9/13: ND - at ND: This game is a toss up for me. I really need to see both teams play before I predict this one. My first reaction is to pick ND because whichever Michigan QB is playing well at this point won't understand the pressure of being the starting QB for Michigan in South Bend.

ND was terrible last year and everyone expects them to be much improved and might even be favored at home against the young Wolverines. (I reserve the right to change this pick) ND: 21 Michigan: 17

9/27: Wisconsin - at the Big House: The schedule doesn't get any easier when the #13th ranked Badgers come to Ann Arbor. Wisconsin hasn't usually done very well in trips to Ann Arbor and are playing the old style Big Ten football. This style match-up favors Michigan and I expect them to win this game and upset Wisconsin at home. Michigan 24 Wisconsin 7

10/04: Illinois at the Big House: Illinois last year was "way" over rated but did have a huge win in Columbus then got embarrassed by USC in the Rose Bowl. The Fighting "Zookie's" have a mobile QB and been running the spread for a few years now. Michigan always struggles against a QB that can run and throw. I expect this game to be close, but I have a bad feeling the "Juice will get loose" in Ann Arbor: Illinois: 17 Michigan 10

10/11: Toledo at the Big House: Michigan playing in it's 6th game with only one on the road, helps heals some wounds against another MAC team. Can't overlook them, but Michigan doesn't' lose to MAC teams: Michigan 40 Toledo 17

10/18 PSU at Happy Valley: Michigan finally hits the road again for this sort of Prime Time game (4:30 start). PSU has lost an un-believable 10 games in a row to Michigan, which must really make JoPa think as he enjoys the "early bird" special at his local dinner. The PSU fans will want blood in this game as the Wolverines come to town. Here is another "hostile" environment that many of the young Wolverines won't have faced before. I have a feeling the Wolverines feel pretty confident in Happy Valley but PSU is like 20 months pregnant. PSU 21 Michigan 20

10/25: MSU at the Big House: Tabbed the Big Brother Game: MSU is feeling pretty good about their chances in this game, right now in August. The thing is MSU is thinking they are better then they really are and will have losses at CAL and maybe even to the athletic Florida Atlantic. Michigan will be ready for MSU this year and the Defense will stop them all day. Michigan 30 - MSU 3

11/1: at Purdue: This is Joe Tillers final Michigan game and he has the Wolverines at home. The problem is Purdue isn't much better then they were last year and will play well against poor competition to fail when they play the big boys in the conference. Michigan 27 Purdue 17

11/08: At Minnesota: Michigan never plays well in the Metro Dome. Never. I'm not sure why either. Maybe it's the weird Friday games or playing in a dome, the Wolverines always have to find a way to win "the little Brown Jug" when they travel North. This year is no exception to that rule, but as always Michigan's talent will rise to the top and the Gophers will retreat into their gopher hole. Michigan 31 Minnesota 24

11/15: Northwestern will be much improved this year and will surprise a few teams. They won't surprise Michigan at home before the Wolverines travel to Columbus to meet the 10-1 Buckeyes. Michigan 28 Northwestern 21

11/22 at OSU: I would love to break out the history books on you and talk about 1969 when a new coach from Miami of Ohio took over the Wolverines and played the top ranked Buckeyes in the nation's #1 rivalry. Does this sound familiar? From Bo's Wikipedia: In 1969, the Buckeyes came into the game as defending national champions and 17-point favorites with the top ranking in the country and a 22-game winning streak. Hayes' 1969 squad included five first-team all-Americans. But Schembechler's 7-2 Wolverines dominated a team Hayes later considered his best, beating Ohio State 24-12. In a single afternoon, Schembechler and his charges resurrected Michigan's grand but moribund football tradition and returned the program among college football's elite, a perch it has maintained ever since.

This paragraph will have Buckeye's up at night for the next three months thinking about that very real piece of history. Can it happen again? Will it happen again? It could. It's scary how things are very similar to that 1969 situation. OSU will be favored and should win this game (no points prediction at this time).

Best Case for the Wolverines: 10-2

Worst Case: 6-6

Big House Blog Prediction: 8-4