#7-MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

Time is running out for Brady Hoke in Ann Arbor as the Maze and Blue faithful begin to wonder if he is the man to get the Wolverines back among the nation’s elite. After winning 11 games in his first year, Hoke is heading the wrong direction, coming off a disappointing 7 win 2013.

Michigan has imported Doug Nussmeier from Alabama to fix an offense that struggled to move the ball last fall. Devin Gardner has the skill set to be among the conference’s elite signal callers but does he have the tool box to put it all together? The backfield is crowded with De’Veon Smith, Derrick Green and Justice Hayes figuring to see the majority of the carries early but keep an eye on redshirt freshman Ross Douglas as the season wears on. Devin Funchess moves full time from TE to WR and will be a matchup nightmare for defensive coordinators. Nussmeier hopes Amara Darboh takes the next step and emerges as a reliable secondary target for Gardner. Other than last year, the big problem in Ann Arbor recently has been the defense. On paper, this years’ version doesn’t look a lot better outside of an above average group of linebackers led by Jake Ryan. Michigan is hoping true freshman Jabrill Peppers can provide a jolt to the secondary that has been torched time and time again during the Hoke era.

A revenge game against Appalachian State kicks off the season for Michigan followed by the annual clash with Notre Dame and then visits by Miami (OH) and Utah. The conference schedule looks manageable with games against Minnesota, Rutgers, Penn State and Indiana among the first five.

PREDICTION: 5-3 IN CONFERENCE PLAY, 8-4 OVERALL