Western Michigan Preview

Time: 7:30 EST 

Location: Big House 

Weather: 70 No Rain 

TV: NBC 

Line: Michigan -27.5

Anytime you see a MAC team vs. a Big Ten team you think it should be an easy win for the Big Ten.  Ask Rutgers how that went last night.   Western Michigan was a good football team last season and won the MAC Championship.  They play solid defense and run the ball.  Yes, this is a new year, but that foundation is set and a physical team will show up in the Big House to face the Wolverines.  

Michigan is also a brand new team, with a new staff and many new players.  I'm thankful this game is a the Big House and not Germany.  Warde got something right as he rides off into the sunset.  

Dear Coach Whitt:

First off I would like to introduce myself.  This is the Big House Blog.   Myself and thousands of BHB inmates love this program.  We care about this program and we wear our Maize an Blue with pride and respect.  We want to be proud of this program, on the field, in the classroom, and off the field.   We expect excellence in all areas as the University of Michigan are clearly the Leaders and Best.   At the core we are fans and football Saturday's are more important to us then you will ever know.  Please bring these young men's best to the stadium every week and will will bring the respect and energy that effort deserves.  

We also use this space to give you advice on the weekly opponent.   This week of course is Western Michigan.  This is your first game in the Big House as the Michigan Head Coach, same with your staff.   It would be easy to sit back and take that all in.  You will have roughly one minute to do that, after you run out of the tunnel prior to kickoff.   Enjoy the moment of Zen and then lets snap back to business. 

Night games are special at Michigan, for many years the team, the athletic department, fans, and the head coaches did not believe football should be played in the dark in Ann Arbor.  It took ESPN to fund the first set of lights on the Big House.  Michigan wanted to play at Noon or maybe 3:30 but never in Primetime.  Of course, TV has changed that and its now become more commonplace. 

Coach you have brought a calmness to Stadium and Main we haven't seen in many years.  Our football team has been full of championships and scandals.  Only one part of that sentence is Michigan Football.  We believe in you and your talented staff.   But let me be clear, playing tough football and falling short every year like you did at Utah, will not work here.  We expect championships and good clean football every week.   The bar here is very high and we expect your ready to exceed it.  

Western Michigan is no cupcake.  They won their conference last season and their Bowl Game.  They like to play a Utah or Michigan type of football in being physical and running the ball right at you.   They are coming to the Big House to not fool you but to play physical football.   This should match Michigan's style and expectation.  They are not driving East for a payday they are coming to Ann Arbor to win the game and embarrass you on your first game has head coach.  Do not sleep on these guys.  

For your team, all eyes will be on Bryce and hopefully a strong jump forward.  He is a talented young man that was given the keys to this offense on his 18th birthday and wasn't coached at all.   We expect a strong run game, great O-line play, and Bryce to hit his new WR's downfield.  Bryce doesn't have to be Tom Brady back there, he just has to play smart and clean.  As much of train wreck as last season was, they were one win away from making the playoffs.  

On the defense side of the ball, I'm looking for an improved pass rush and a secondary that can cover.  The LB's are the biggest question mark and everyone will be watching what we have at that position group.  Nothing will protect them more then good D-line play and a great pass rush.  

Special teams have been pretty bad in the games I've watched so far this season.  Every fans' expectation is that Michigan's special teams will be locked in from the first kick. 

Lastly, play clean, play aggressive, but most importantly play Michigan Football.

What I expect to see:

• Michigan rushes for 250 yards (100 for Marshall, 80 for Hiter, 50 for Bryce, 20 for backups)
• Bryce passes for 225 yards and 2 TD 
• Michigan defense dominates but gives up a late TD 

Michigan 31 WMU 10