HunterSportsPicks is back and ready for another big college football season. In each of the past three years I have finished in the top eight handicappers in the world in college football. I consider this sport one of my specialties. During the last three years, my plays are 157-116 (57.14% winners). If you aren’t already a member of my free sports picks newsletter, join in today. I’ll be sending out free premium plays (including exclusive season win total plays) before the start of the season to newsletter subscribers. Simply enter your email in the upper right hand side of this page and you’ll be ready to go.
Let’s continue our college football season previews with a look at the Michigan Wolverines.
2012 College Football Previews: Michigan Wolverines
Head Coach: Brady Hoke
Michigan Wolverines Gambling Odds from JustBet to Win BCS Championship: +3,000
Michigan Wolverines Gambling Odds from JustBet to win Big 10 Conference: +150
Brady Hoke’s first season at Michigan was a major success. The Wolverines bounced back from mediocrity to win 11 games including a BCS bowl game over Virginia Tech. There is both bad news and good news for Michigan heading int0 2012. The schedule makes another 11 win season in 2012 look very difficult. On the other hand, the team returns many key players from last year’s breakout season.
Offense:
Denard Robinson is back for his senior season at Michigan. Robinson’s numbers weren’t as gaudy last year, but he’d definitely trade those huge statistics for the extra wins the team picked up in 2011. The move to the pro-style offense seemed to slow him down at first, but Robinson was amazing in wins over Nebraska and Ohio State in the last two regular season games. There isn’t a better play maker in the Big Ten.
One of the main reasons Michigan was so much better last year was the emergence of running back Fitzgerald Toussaint. Toussaint finished with 1,041 rushing yards, and he hit 100 yards in a single game four times in the last six contests. Having a solid runner at the tailback spot takes a lot of heat off Robinson, and it makes this team much more dangerous.
Junior Hemingway will be missed on the outside, and Roy Roundtree is the guy who must step up. Roundtree had a down season last year, but he is capable of big things. Jeremy Gallon is the team’s leading receiver. On the offensive line, the Wolverines lose Remington award winning center David Molk. Hoke has recruited some big guys to step in, but the line might not be quite as dominant in 2012.
Defense:
Losing Mike Martin and Ryan Van Bergen will hurt this defensive front. The Wolverines expect a lot out of senior Craig Roh on the outside. The problem here could be that Michigan really lacks a big man in the middle to clog up the running lanes. The team might take a step back when it comes to run defense this year.
The back seven is tremendous for the Wolverines. Remember, in 2009 and 2010 this defense was awful under Rich Rodriguez. Last year, the Wolverines ranked in the top ten in most major defensive categories. Jordan Kavacs is a great leader from his safety position. The secondary should be able to make many big plays this year, and they are good at helping in the run game as well. Kenny Demens is a rock in the middle of the Wolverines defense, and this group of linebackers should be very good again in 2012.
2012 Michigan Wolverines College Football Predictions: 9-4
Most people probably have the Wolverines with a better record than I do, but this schedule is extremely tough. I don’t see this team beating Alabama in the season opener. In addition, road games at Notre Dame, Nebraska, and Ohio State will be very tough. This team could easily be just good as last season, but they might not get as many wins to show for it.
Brady Hoke clearly has this program moving up, but there might be a temporary setback in 2012. Expect a good year, but not a title winning year in Ann Arbor.
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