The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/137378
Ohio State captured last season's clash with the Wolverines, and this year's game on Nov. 30 will be the most eagerly anticipated matchup of the regular season, though it may be the prelude to a rematch in the Big Ten Championship Game one week later. photo by per kjeldsen Top Five Games 1. Nov. 30 vs. Ohio State: The Urban Meyer era could not have started better for the Buckeyes, who capped an undefeated season with a 26-21 win over Michigan. Of course, the 12-0 campaign ended after the regular season because of NCAA sanctions stemming from the memorabilia-fortattoos scandal. This year, Meyer will make his first trip to Ann Arbor as Ohio State's head coach. Both programs have schedules that set up nicely, and if everything falls the right way, this could be a very special year for the rivalry. The Wolverines and Buckeyes, who first played in 1897, have never met twice in one season, but 2013 could be the first, and likely only, time that ever happens. If Michigan wins the Legends Division and Ohio State wins the Leaders Division, the two old rivals will play a week after their regular-season meeting in the Big Ten Championship Game. Starting in 2014, when the conference realigns once more, Michigan and Ohio State will both be in the East Division, eliminating the opportunity to play in the conference title game. 2. Nov. 2 at Michigan State: When the Big Ten rearranged the 2014 conference schedule because of the addition of Rutgers and Maryland, this year's trip to East Lansing got a little more interesting. The usual home-and-away rotation of the battle for The Paul Bunyan Trophy was flipped, meaning the Wolverines will play at Michigan State in both 2013 and 2014. And Michigan certainly doesn't want to begin that two-year period with a loss. Last year, the Wolverines finally ended the Spartans' four-game winning streak in the series with a tight 12-10 win in Michigan Stadium. This year, Michigan's hopes of a Legends Division title will either be fulfilled or dashed during a three-game stretch in November against the most serious contenders for the division: at Michigan State, vs. Nebraska (Nov. 9) and at Northwestern (Nov. 16). A win over the Spartans may push the Wolverines toward the Big Ten Championship Game. 3. Sept. 7 vs. Notre Dame: The end is in sight. Notre Dame and Michigan, two of the most storied programs in the history of college football, will play two more games (home this year and away the next) before ceasing the rivalry for the foreseeable future. Notre Dame athletics director Jack Swarbrick informed Michigan athletics director Dave Brandon shortly before the two teams played in South Bend last season that he would be backing out of future games. It's nice to have bragging rights over a rival for a year. If the Wolverines close the series with two straight wins, they'll have bragging rights over the Fighting Irish for a long, long time. To make the game even more exciting, the Michigan athletic department is dusting off the lights in The Big House to host its second-ever night game. The Wolverines and their fans fondly remember the first one: an incredible 35-31 comeback victory over Notre Dame in 2011, in which quarterback Denard Robinson hit wide receiver Roy Roundtree for the game-winning touchdown with two seconds left on the clock. 4. Nov. 9 vs. Nebraska: Since joining the Big Ten, the Cornhuskers have been a completely different team away from Lincoln, Neb. In eight conference road games, Nebraska has surrendered 30.4 points per game. At home, the Black Shirt defense has been much better, giving up just 17.3 points per game to Big Ten opponents. If that trend continues in 2013, Michigan could be a big benefactor. Of the four teams that are projected to fight for top billing in the Legends Division — Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska and Northwestern — the Cornhuskers are the lone squad that has to play a road game in Ann Arbor. A win over Nebraska will be critical for the Wolverines' chances in the Legends Division. 5. Nov. 16 at Northwestern: The Wildcats are historically one of the worst programs in college football, posting an all-time record of 489-62244 (.442). Recently, though, Northwestern has been successful, with winning records in four of the last five seasons. Last year, the Wildcats hit a high-water mark, going 10-3, the third season with double-digit wins in program history (10-2 in 1995 and 10-1-3 in 1902). In fact, the program has seen four more double-digit loss seasons than double-digit win seasons. Now, behind the quarterback tandem of passing specialist Trevor Siemian and spread-option threat Cain Kolter, Northwestern is trying to build on that success. The Wolverines and Wildcats both have legitimate hopes of a division title. Due to Northwestern's brutal divisional crossover slate — which includes a home game against Ohio State and a road date with Wisconsin — it will have to be successful against Michigan, Michigan State and Nebraska if it wants to wind up in Indianapolis. The Wolverine 2013 Football Preview ■ 67