2010 Season Preview: Schedule

First I want to apologize for the absence of a defense and special teams preview. I've been working on a couple of other posts that should be up soon. Anyway, here is Michigan's 2010 schedule with my predictions.

September 4th: Michigan 27, Connecticut 21 (1-0)
Connecticut puts up a good fight but Michigan squeaks it out in the fourth quarter.

September 11th: Notre Dame 34, Michigan 20 (1-1)
Michigan falls behind early and can't catch up.

September 18th: Michigan 41, Massachusetts 13 (2-1)
Michigan always goes to town against 1-AA opponents with the exception of one team that is not Massachusetts.

September 25th: Michigan 37, Bowling Green 20 (3-1)
Another inferior opponent, another win.

October 2nd: Michigan 31, Indiana 17 (4-1, 1-0)
Even at home Indiana is still hapless.

October 9th: Michigan 31, Michigan State 28 (5-1, 2-0)
Finally a win against Sparty! Michigan wins on a last second field goal.

October 16th: Iowa 34, Michigan 24 (5-2, 2-1)
The Hawkeyes are too much for the Wolverines and beat them on homecoming weekend.

October 30th: Penn State 24, Michigan 21 (5-3, 2-2)
A heartbreaking loss in the fourth quarter for the Wolverines in Happy Valley.

November 6th: Michigan 28, Illinois 20 (6-3, 3-2)
This is the point in the season where Michigan's downward spiral has accelerated the past two years. Not this year.

November 13th: Michigan 41, Purdue 34 (7-3, 4-2)
Michigan wins an offensive shootout in West Lafayette.

November 20th: Wisconsin 38, Michigan 23 (7-4, 4-3)
John Clay and the Badgers offense torch Michigan's defense at the Big House.

November 27th: Ohio State 28, Michigan 17 (7-5, 4-4)
Michigan will beat Ohio State sometime in the near future. Just not this year.

December 28th (Insight Bowl): Michigan 34, Kansas State 30 (8-5, 4-4)
Michigan comes out inspired and wins their first bowl game since 2008. Rich Rodriguez hailed as a hero in Ann Arbor.

I went with the favorite in most of these games because I fully expect that to happen. Beating Michigan State is what I believe is going to be the highlight of this season next to the bowl win. This is a fairly optimistic look but there are some games I had as losses that could go Michigan's way such as the Notre Dame game. A season like this should definitely allow Rich Rod to keep his job. The only team on the schedule I believe Michigan can't beat is Ohio State. That leaves eleven possible wins on the board. Let's get 'em. Go Blue.