Finally college football is back in the great State of Michigan and for the first time in many, many years there are two teams in the State that seem to be going in the right direction.
Those two teams are Michigan State and Michigan.
For Michigan State, Mark Dantonio and the Spartans to build on the tremendous success they had in 2010 as they captured the Big Ten title along with Wisconsin. Michigan on the other hand begins a new era under new head coach Brady Hoke who tries to bring Michigan back to the dominant team they once were.
Now on to the predictions…
Michigan State
Michigan State is coming off a 2010 season in which they made a tremendous run in the Big Ten on their way to earning themselves a share of the Big Ten title with Wisconsin. In 2011 they have a good portion of last years team returning including the school’s first ever five-star recruit in William Gholston and Kirk Cousins who may be the best pure QB in the entire Big Ten.
Now despite Michigan State being an overall better team this season, there are still some questions surrounding them this season. First and foremost is the offensive line which has endured injuries during fall camp. Can they provide Kirk Cousins enough time in the pocket and open up enough holes for the running backs. Michigan State also has a very tough schedule this season including having to play at Ohio State, at Nebraska and at Iowa.
In the end Michigan State goes 9-3 and second in the Legends division.
Michigan
Again like I mentioned earlier, U-M is entering a new era under Brady Hoke who has his eyes set on bringing the program back to prominence. However as much as Michigan fans want a 10, 11 or even undefeated season, it is still going to take time for this team to become acclimated to Brady Hoke’s system. Yes it will take time Denard Robinson to get use to the new pro-style offense and please don’t say he will be fine because he ran a pro-style offense in high school. High School football simply cannot compare to the Big Ten. Greg Mattison WILL also turn that defense around because let’s not kid ourselves the only way to go from last year is up. Again though, it’s going to take time before Mattison’s vision comes to fruition.
When it’s all said and done Michigan finishes with 7 wins and 4th in the Legends division
Fear not though Michigan fans, change is here and that change is for the better. Michigan will be back, 2011 is just another transitional year.
