Know Your Opponent Week 10: Michigan Wolverines

Will Michigan fans turn at the first sign of trouble on Saturday? Image Source: Bloguin

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

This Years Record: 3-5 (1-3) 6th in Big Ten East

Head Coach: Brady Hoke 4th Year at Michigan

Overall: 76-67 .531 (12th year)

At Michigan: 29-17

Bowls: 1-2

Last Years Record: 7-6 (3-5) Lost to Kansas State 31-14 in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl

Bowls Since 2000: 12 Appearances (4-8 Record)

Mascot: Wolverine

Colors: Maize and Blue

Outfitter: Adidas

National Titles: 11

Conference Titles: 42

Heisman Winners: 3

Fun Fact: Upon arriving at Michigan, Crisler introduced the winged football helmet, ostensibly to help his players find the receivers down field. Whatever the reasoning, the winged helmet has since become one of the iconic marks of Michigan football. Michigan debuted the winged helmet in a game against Michigan State in 1938.

1. Michigan Has Seen More Drama Than Don Diamont- By now almost everyone knows that the Hoosiers’ starting quarterback is the son of a soap opera star, but Michigan has seen more drama in the last two months than he has. It seems every week in Ann Arbor something new pops up. Last week it was “Stakegate”, a month ago it was “concussiongate”. This week a donor has graciously provided “Fire Brandon” t-shirts to wear to the game, the Detroit News is calling for head coach Brady Hoke’s head, and MGOBlog.com has confirmed that emails from athletic director Dave Brandon fighting with fans have been authenticated. Oh and don’t forget that the Maize and Blue are 3-5 and sitting in sixth place in the Big Ten East. Imagine what will happen if the Hoosiers go in and beat the Wolverines Saturday?

2. Michigan has Butterfingers and Not Because They Went Trick-or-Treating-The Wolverines has issues on the field as well. Michigan cannot hold onto the ball. In their eight games they have turned the ball over 19 times, throwing 13 interceptions and losing six fumbles. Oh and that is not counting the five fumbles that Michigan did not lose. Quarterback Devin Gardner, who nobody will confuse with Tom Harmon, has more picks than touchdowns (10-6).

3. This is Not Your Father’s Michigan Team- When one thinks of Michigan football winning Big Ten titles and competing for national championships has to be on the top of the list. Well, this Michigan program has fallen from grace since their last national crown in 1997. This year’s disappointing edition has scored just 17 offensive touchdowns in eight games. They average 20.4 points per game, 320.8 yards per game, and they have just plain stunk against Power Five teams.

4. The Defense May Be Decent- The issues with looking at yardage statistics for an opponent who gains control of the ball via turnover is that it’ll be skewed to the lower end of the spectrum. Michigan’s defense has been ok this year giving up 23.1 points per game and 319.1 yards per game while holding opponents to a 38 percent success rate on third downs, but they have only forced five turnovers. Indiana will present a unique test when they bring one of the best running backs in the country into the Big House.