It's August 3rd and we are less then a month away from the season starting. Time to start looking at the 2012 schedule and putting a fear factor percentage on each game. Michigan is a 10 ten team going in to the season and this year will come with high expectations. My fear factor is basically my take on how worried I am with Michigan losing that particular game.
9/1: Alabama in Dallas. Michigan is playing the National Champions who has a very physical and good defense. The Michigan offense has struggled against good defenses in the past and #2 ranked Alabama could have the best defense in the country. Being the first game for both teams could favor Denard and the Wolverines. I hope to see better execution then we did in the Sugar Bowl. Fear Factor = 90%
9/8: Air Force: My first take on this game was "Do we really want to be playing Air Force after Alabama?" I thought their offense would be a hard match up for a Michigan defense that just played a physical game against Bama. That is until I learned the Air Force Academy had to basically replace all their players on both sides of the ball. I think Michigan could struggle early with a bit of a Bama let down but will pull away in the second half. Fear Factor =20%
9/15: UMass: A couple of years ago, UMass came into the Big House and almost pulled out a victory over Rich Rod's defense. Not with Greg Mattison in town. Fear Factor = 5%
9/22: at ND: We will know a lot about both teams by the end of September. How good is the ND defense? Can they stop Denard? Will the ND offense move the ball? ND will want this game badly. Fear Factor = 65%
10/6 at Purdue: Funny things happen to Michigan when they visit West Lafayette. Closer game then we think. Fear Factor = 40%
10/13: Illinois: Zook is gone and Illinois is rebuilding. I don't see a replay of the shoot out from a couple of years ago in the Big House. Fear Factor = 15%
10/20: MSU: Time for payback and Michigan will be ready for this game. Depending on what Wisconsin does this year, this could be the best two teams in the Big Ten. Michigan is at home and will look to put it on the Spartans. Fear Factor = 50%
10/27: at Nebraska: Another prime time game and another one away from home. Nebraska will be looking for pay back after their embarrassing performance at the Big House last year. This could be a tough game for the Wolverines. Fear Factor = 70%
11/3: at Minnesota: How many games is Michigan playing on the road this year? Jerry Kill will have his guys ready to play for the Little Brown Jug. This will also be Michigan's first visit to the Gophers new outdoor stadium and they get to visit in chilly November. Fear Factor = 30%
11/10: Northwestern: Michigan always has trouble with Northwestern and now USC transfer WR Kyle Prater will be eligible. I'm sure the Wolverines will be happy to be home but Northwestern will play well and make this game closer then we think. Fear Factor = 40%
11/17: Iowa: Will the Hawkeyes have any running backs? Expect a ton of throwing. Not sure what the Hawkeyes will have in November. Fear Factor = 25%
11/24 at OSU: No bowl game for the buckeyes. This will be their bowl game and Big Ten Championship game all rolled into one. Urban Meyer does not want to start off 0-1 to Brady Hoke. They will play the entire roster if it means a win. This game is their year but how good are they? Fear Factor = 65%
News and Notes:
- Practice starts on Monday and the roster and the media guide has been updated. Mgoblog does a great post on changes including walk-ons and freshman numbers. Notables: PeeWee Pipkins is 337 pounds and will wear #56 (Woodley), Dileo is now #9, Devin is listed at a Jr. not a RS Sophomore, Both RJS & James Ross are under 210 pounds (yikes and hello RS) and Beyer is up 27 pounds from Spring and now listed at 252 pounds.
- Former ESPN College Football analyst Craig James is broke because he spent $300K on his failed campaign to join the US Senate. Maybe he should have kept that ESPN gig while he was campaigning.
- The #11 has been given "Legendary Status" by the Michigan Athletic Department.
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