Michigan Wolverines (10-2, 6-2)
Conference: Big Ten
First Year of Football: 1879
Head Coach: Brady Hoke (Ball State '82)
Offensive Coordinator: Al Borges (Cal State-Chico '81)
Defensive Coordinator: Greg Mattison (Wisc.-La Crosse '71)
Season: Michigan started the season 6-0, including a thrilling 35-31 win over Notre Dame in Week 2. They dropped their first game Oct. 15 at Michigan State as the Spartan defense registered seven sacks, four against Denard Robinson. Their other loss came two games later at Iowa when a last-second no-call went the Hawkeyes' way. Finished the year with three consecutive wins, including their first over Ohio State since 2003.
Offense (Multiple - or Denard just kicks your ass and then has a snack): In Big Ten play, averaged 4.8 ypc (2nd) and 8.6 ypa (2nd). As an outside observer, it seemed like Michigan was dead-set on turning one of the most electric players in college football into an under-center, pro-style quarterback until the second half against Notre Dame, when Robinson was unleashed and gave us arguably the most thrilling half of football this season. Since then, he's been nearly unstoppable and while most of the attention is rightfully on him, the player that has maybe meant the most to Michigan of late is running back Fitzgerald Toussaint. If ever there were a player with a name made for having a big game in New Orleans, it's Toussaint. Since the loss to MSU, he's averaged 6.1 ypc and has five touchdowns to give Michigan yet another offensive threat. Hokie fans might remember Borges. He was Auburn's OC the last time Tech made a trip to the Sugar Bowl.
Defense (4-3): In Big Ten play opponents, averaged 3.7 ypc (3rd) and 6.7 ypa (4th). Absolutely incredible turnaround for this unit, which was D.A.L. in the Big Ten last season, giving up nearly 170 more yards per game than this year. Led by a really good defensive line that averaged 3.0 sacks and 6.0 tfl per game against Big Ten foes. The line is fairly big and very experienced as three of them rank in the top four in career starts for the Wolverines. Running the ball will be a tough chore for the Hokies and if they aren't able to do it, we'll be in big trouble.
Wolverines on the WWW: Maize N Brew is the home of Michigan sports on SBN, MGoBlog is the home of my favorite character in the sports blogosphere, Henri the Otter of Ennui.
Over/Under on the Number of Times I Accidentally Type 'Brady Hokie': 3.5