Breaking Down Michigan's 2010 Schedule: The Finale

The Finale

Nov. 6 vs. Illinois

Nov. 13 @ Purdue

Nov. 20 vs. Wisconsin

Nov. 27 @ Ohio State

No matter what the record is coming into this point of the schedule, Michigan has to finish strong this year.  The dismal finish to last year's season after starting 5-2 would be simply inexcusable for a team that is now a year older and should be starting to play their best football as the season wears on.  As far as Michigan’s schedule goes for 2010, they truly do save the best for last.

Michigan should crush Illinois this year.  If Roy Roundtree doesn’t get brought down at the 1-yard line last year, odds are Michigan goes on to win that game in Champaign in a total route.  Illinois will be even worse this year and they really don’t have much talent on either side of the ball.  This is shaping up to be the easiest Big Ten game on Michigan’s schedule and I see no chance of them losing this game.

Purdue right now is one of the bigger Big Ten mysteries.  No one really knows how much Miami-transfer Robert Marve will really help them.  Personally, he was terrible at Miami, so I’m not all that inclined to think he’s going to show up and light the Big Ten up.  Michigan should have no trouble staying focused for this game after the embarrassing loss at home to Purdue last year.  Hopefully, by this point in the season Michigan’s young DBs will have improved enough to be able to handle the Purdue spread.

Wisconsin is the one team that I just really don’t know that I can see Michigan beating.  They are going to be a big, physical, and experienced team that will be able to run the ball on anyone.  I think Wisconsin is actually the best team in the Big Ten with Scott Tolzien and John Clay returning in the offensive backfield and a mammoth veteran line to boot.  Wisconsin will be able to control the clock and the ball and will have a good enough defense that they will force some Michigan turnovers.  Luckily, this game is at home and that should help Michigan keep it close.

Ohio State is once again loaded.  However, I think Michigan stacks up fairly well against them and I think our spread will give their defense fits provided we don’t throw five interceptions again this year.  Michigan will find a way to stay in this game and I think they will do it with speed.  Ohio State still has not proven they can D-up very well against the spread and by this point in the year our offense could be the best in the Big Ten.

Worst Case Scenario:

Michigan beats Illinois and Purdue but drops the two big time games at the end of the year.  Depending on how the season has gone, if those losses are blowout losses, whispers could follow Rodriguez into the offseason.  People would wonder if he ever will be able to beat the elite in the conference.

Best Case Scenario:

Michigan goes 3-1 in this stretch capping their season with an upset of Ohio State at the Horseshoe.  A 3-1 finish down the stretch gives Michigan a Top 3 finish in the Big Ten and a date to play on New Year's day.  A win over Ohio State to break their stranglehold in the rivalry would swing tons of momentum back into Rich Rod’s favor and talk would start building about Michigan being the early favorite for the 2011 Big Ten Title.