2012 Michigan Football: Team 133

[sportznut02]

Time to get this thread rolling with the start of spring practice coming up this Saturday.

[lonewolf371]

Schedule:

9/1 vs. Alabama (Arlington, TX)
9/8 vs. Air Force
9/15 vs. Massachusetts
9/22 at Notre Dame
10/6 at Purdue
10/13 vs. Illinois (Homecoming)
10/20 vs. Michigan State
10/27 at Nebraska
11/3 at Minnesota
11/10 vs. Northwestern
11/17 vs. Iowa
11/24 at Ohio State

That looks brutal. Alabama will be very highly ranked and they're always stacked with future NFL players. Notre Dame has a decent amount of talent as well and Michigan is playing them on the road. Purdue should be better next year; hopefully it will be one of the first times in recent memory that they start Big Ten play with the same quarterback they had in fall camp. Toss in other road games at Nebraska and at Ohio State and it's really no easy pickings. In the absolute worst case scenario, I could see Michigan slipping to 7-5 this year.

But it probably won't be that bad. Alabama lost half of their starters from last year's team and they have no tune-up game. Notre Dame lost Michael Floyd, who was a big reason they tore up Michigan's defense last year. They also lose three offensive linemen, so the game in South Bend should still be winnable. Purdue still isn't a great team. Michigan State could be a really tough game, but it's at home this year and I think that makes a huge difference. Ohio State could still be the toughest game on the schedule. I don't think the Buckeyes will have a particularly great team next year (meaning less than 9-3 or so), but with that game the records and talent never matter. More reasonably I think 9-3 or 10-2 for Michigan sounds reasonable.

But with 14 returning starters on offense and defense, there's still that guy in the back of my head that's saying "championship."

Okay just to make this post longer: big losses are Mike Martin, Ryan Van Bergen, and David Molk. Other losses include Mark Huyge, Kevin Koger, Junior Hemingway, and Will Heininger.

There's a lot of flip-flopping on the defensive line; Craig Roh has really bulked up and will now be moving to 3-tech "defensive tackle" (the SDE position). Frank Clark should be the starting WDE next year and he had a monster bowl game against Virginia Tech (I'm feeling pretty good about him). The big question marks are at defensive tackle. I'm guessing Will Campbell will finally get on the field as a starter, but if he still hasn't learned to play low then it will be more from a lack of competition than realizing his potential. I've seen some people talking about Ash or Washington taking over the other spot, but overall this area should be a drop-off from Martin and Heininger. The linebackers should be the same, with Demens at WLB, Morgan at MLB, and Ryan at SLB (I really like Ryan's potential for next year, as well, pass rush should be much better in 2012). The secondary should be the same, too, with Countess at field corner, Floyd at boundary corner, Kovacs at SS and Gordon at FS.

On offense there will probably be a little flip-flopping on the O-line. I'm not exactly sure where everyone will be. The most set-in-stone thing is Lewan at LT. Other than him, I'm guessing that Schofield, Barnum, and Omameh win starting jobs. Some have talked about Barnum getting the center job, but Khoury might get it since he's been the #1 back-up there the past few seasons. If Khoury gets the center job, that seemingly leaves Omameh at the other guard spot, Barnum at left guard, and Schofield at RT. But if Barnum gets the center job, then that might put Schofield at left guard and allow Kalis to get the final spot. I think that would be the most talented offensive line, and Kalis will be pretty advanced for a freshman. In any case, I think the O-line will be beastly. Fitz will obviously be the running back and Denard will be the quarterback. Tight end will probably be Brandon Moore, a red shirt senior (I like red shirt seniors). At wide receiver Michigan wasn't great last year, but they'll probably be worse next year without Junior (probably Roundtree and Gallon).

Wow, can't believe I wrote all that. Sorry for the tl;dr.

[l3ulvl]

Weird, I was just thinking how I haven't checked to see if there was a new team thread yet and come to find out it was just made today

Quote: Originally Posted by lonewolf371

Wow, can't believe I wrote all that. Sorry for the tl;dr.

For me, when it comes to anything Michigan, "tl;dr" doesn't exist.

[Psyblast]

Quote: Originally Posted by lonewolf371

On offense there will probably be a little flip-flopping on the O-line. I'm not exactly sure where everyone will be. The most set-in-stone thing is Lewan at LT. Other than him, I'm guessing that Schofield, Barnum, and Omameh win starting jobs. Some have talked about Barnum getting the center job, but Khoury might get it since he's been the #1 back-up there the past few seasons. If Khoury gets the center job, that seemingly leaves Omameh at the other guard spot, Barnum at left guard, and Schofield at RT. But if Barnum gets the center job, then that might put Schofield at left guard and allow Kalis to get the final spot. I think that would be the most talented offensive line, and Kalis will be pretty advanced for a freshman.

Don't overlook Chris Bryant. That kid might already be the strongest guy on the team.

[Sportsforever]

Looking at that schedule I think 9-3 is to be expected...that's a rough schedule.

[PaperBoyx703]

LB Isiah Bell has left the team. Don't have many details yet, other than he reportedly wasn't part of Michigan's future plans and not receiving much attention. Hadn't played a down either, wish him well wherever he goes. I thought the kid had potential considering how athletic he was coming out.

[lonewolf371]

http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-fo...FfZMEA.twitter

I was a little bit off. Locks appear to be Lewan at left tackle, Schofield at right tackle, and Omameh at right guard. Looking at Schofield's height, I have to think that's a good decision. I think that Barnum will win the center job. Mealer is the top guy for the left guard job at the moment, but I think that Hoke's giving him first shot because he's a senior. Could easily see Bryant or Kalis there.

Jibreel Black is in at tackle now; I forgot to mention him. The article makes it sound like we'll see Campbell and Black at defensive tackle. Hoke hasn't named Frank Clark the starter at WDE, but I have to think he'll be able to win the job with how he played in the Sugar Bowl.

[TheShizNo1]

I'm going to try and make it up to the spring game again this year. Last year's was actually a foreshadowing of the the season; DRob throwing off his backfield, no clear cut RB (Until endish of the season), and improved defense.

[JerzeyReign]

I'm so sorry but I just can't be realistic when I look at our schedule -- I always think we'll run the table. I always think of ways we could win rather than why we would lose.

I just watched the win over aOSU last season and it still made my spine tingle. I still jumped up and cheered like it was live.

I don't know -- I just love my Wolverines too much to think they'll lose.

So... with that said... I'm saying 14-0!

[Matt_GoBlue]

I'm saying we go 10-2 this upcoming season!