The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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8. At Notre Dame Playing the Fighting Irish on the road to start the season is a gigantic task for Michigan. This is a rivalry game being played under the lights, and while the at‑ mosphere will be intimidating, Notre Dame just doesn't have the same firepower of the top teams in the Big Ten. Junior quarterback Shea Patterson and the offense will need to jell quickly, since U‑M is facing such a strong opponent in his first game with the team. 9. Wisconsin The Badgers are heavy favorites to win the Big Ten West and return star sopho‑ more running back Jonathan Taylor. Michigan is fortunate to get Wisconsin at home and matches up well with its pro‑ style, ball‑control offense. 10. Penn State James Franklin and the Nittany Lions don't like Michigan — a feeling that is probably mu‑ tual within the walls of Schembechler Hall. After two games and two blowouts the last two seasons, this will serve as the tiebreaker and could propel the winner to an East Divi‑ sion title. 11. At Michigan State MSU might not have the same level of talent as Penn State, Wisconsin or Notre Dame, but it always plays tough — especially against Michigan. This smash‑mouth affair will take place in East Lansing, certain to only make life more difficult for the Wolverines. Games in this rivalry tend to be close and full of drama, making it the second hardest game on U‑M's schedule. The last three games in this series have been decided by an average of 5.67 points. 12. At Ohio State This pick is clear. The Buckeyes have owned Michigan, winning 13 of the last 14 meetings and are led by cer‑ tain Hall of Famer Urban Meyer. Michigan hasn't won in Columbus since 2000 and hopes to change that this fall. 1. Western Michigan The Broncos are not the same team that went to the Cotton Bowl in 2016. U‑M should roll in its home opener. 2. At Rutgers Sure, it's a road game in the Big Ten, but Rutgers has quarterback problems and doesn't hold much of a home‑ field advantage with a 5‑9 mark in Piscataway over the last two years. In 2016, the last time Michigan went to New Jersey, U‑M won 78‑0. 3. SMU The Mustangs have a terrific of‑ fense, ranking 15th in the coun‑ try last year. However, the defense was one of the worst in America, at No. 121. Unless Michigan's defense falls apart, this should be another win for the Wolverines. 4. Maryland This is where the rankings start to get tricky. You could mix and match Maryland, Nebraska and Indi‑ ana; all three will be challenges at home. Former U‑M defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin has the Terrapins on the rise, but they aren't ready to beat the Wolverines. 5. Nebraska New head coach Scott Frost is sure to change the culture in Lincoln. How‑ ever, the reason this game is fifth instead of sixth or higher is because Michigan gets Nebraska early in the season — before the real growth will begin. The Cornhuskers will have to experience growing pains before the success comes. 6. Indiana The ever‑feisty Hoosiers have played the Wolverines close each of the last three years, including two trips to overtime. However, this is another home game for Michigan, which needs a win before it travels to Ohio State the following week. This has trap game written all over it, but fans should expect Jim Harbaugh to have his team ready. 7. At Northwestern This is where the true battles begin. Michigan has six games that should be considered realistic possibilities for a loss. That begins in Evanston, where the Wildcats went 6‑1 last year. The environment at Northwest‑ ern won't be nearly as hectic as others on the slate, which puts the game seventh. Ranking Each Game On Michigan's Schedule From Easiest To Most Difficult THE WOLVERINE 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 127 Senior running back LJ Scott and Michigan State have played the Wolverines tough in recent years, with the last three contests de- cided by an average of 5.67 points per game. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN STATE