Team 135 Season Prediction: June 2nd

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

For the first time of the Hoke era, the Michigan Wolverines will have upperclassmen who Brady Hoke fully recruited . It may not seem like a big thing to some but it is the first time that the majority of the roster are his guys, that have bought into his style and program. Add in several impact seniors and a very talented freshmen recruiting class, Team 135 has the chance to get Michigan back to the top tier of college football.

Check out our Team 135 season prediction:

vs Appalachian State

– The rematch of the biggest upset in Michigan\’s history. App State returns to Ann Arbor as an FBS program but with much less talent. After going 4-8 in 2013, expect the Wolverines to beat up on the Mountaineers in the run and pass game. Big games from Devin Gardner, Derrick Green and the defense. Win 42-13

@ Notre Dame

– The last known game of the historic rivalry, Michigan travels to South Bend for a night game to be remembered. Both programs are looking for bounce back seasons and with this game happening so early, it will be a big test for both squads. Emotions will be high and the nation will be watching as Gardner leads Wolverines to a win over reinstated QB Everett Golson and the ever-so purple Brian Kelly. Win 31-27

vs Miami(OH)

– Probably the least attended game of the year but biggest blowout, Michigan welcomes the Red Hawks to Ann Arbor. Miami is coming in on the heels of a 0-12 season in 2013 and a new head coach in Chuck Martin. As the 2nd cake walk game of the season, expect the offensive, defense, and special teams to pad the stats. Win 65-17

vs Utah

– After going 5-7 in 2013, Kyle Willingham shook up his coaching staff. But the roster isn\’t where it once was, especially at the quarterback position. Add in the fact that Michigan will likely be starting to click at all cylinders, expect big games from both sides of the ball to have good games. Win 38-24

vs Minnesota

– The Battle for the Little Brown Jug. Though the rivalry has been one-sided from the start, this matchup may be a lot closer than most would think. Jerry Kill is building a pretty good program and almost always seems to give the Wolverines a hard time in their match ups. But thanks to a big day in the running game, Michigan will pull this one out as they pull away in the 4th quarter. Win 30-21

@ Rutgers

– Every season has it\’s trap game, and I think it will be on Michigan\’s first ever visit to East Rutherford. The roster is not very great and they just lost their best offensive player to the 2014 NFL Draft, but the Wolverines seem to always take at least one day off during the year. This will be the game where Twitter runs wild with the first \”Doug Nussmeier Hate Fest\” of his time in Ann Arbor. Loss 26-23

vs Penn State

– Under the Lights 3. Dave Brandon and the Wolverines welcomes Penn State to Ann Arbor for the 3rd ever night game. It will be James Franklin\’s first game against Michigan and I don\’t think it will be a very warm welcome. Coming off of a loss, a devastating loss in 2013, and the atmosphere of the stadium will combine to get the best showing of the year for the Maize and Blue. This will also be the breakout game for superstar recruit, Jabrill Peppers. I\’m thinking an interception, wild cat touchdown and big return yards. Win 38-23

@ State

– The Paul Bunyan Trophy. For the 2nd straight year, the Wolverines head to East Lansing for a big time match up with the in-state rivals. The 2013 B1G Champs are returning breakout QB Connor Cook but have lost a ton of their impact players on offense and defense, including most of their top defensive players. Thanks to a much improved run game, as well as the high level of pride they will play with, I think Michigan pulls out a close win on the road against the Spartans. Win 28-23

vs Indiana

– After a crazy high scoring game in 2013, Michigan welcomes Indiana back to the Big House for another shootout. However, this year shouldn\’t have a 110 points scored between the two teams. The Wolverine defense will be ready this time, while the run game will control the clock and give the defense time to rest. Win 45-28

@ Northwestern

– The Dileo Slide is what everyone remembers from the crazy ending and win for the Wolverines in 2o13. It was a game the Wolverines should have lost but luckily the Wildcat defenders have horrible hands and couldn\’t hold onto Gardner\’s multiple misfires. This year, the run and pass game will be on as Michigan beats up on QB Trevor Siemian and the Northwestern defense. Win 31-23

vs Maryland

– The 9-1 Wolverines are riding high when the Terrapins visit Ann Arbor and the Big House for the first time. It is a bit of a trap game with the Buckeyes up next, Hoke has his guys ready as they lay a whooping on Randy Edsall\’s team and his 18 returning starters. This will be a fantastic showing from the defense, including 3+ turnovers and a touchdown.  Win 35-17

@ Ohio

– The Game. This match up will biggest of the Hoke-Meyer Era and will feature the top two teams in the B1G West with the winner headed to Indianapolis for the B1G Championship game. It will be a classic matchup that will be similar to 2013 and Michigan coming up just short on a missed game winning field goal from the Wolverines. Loss 33-31

Peach Bowl vs LSU

– Still stinging after a loss to O$U, the Wolverines get an at-large bid and head to Atlanta for a match up with Les Miles and the LSU Tigers in the 2015 Peach Bowl. It will easily be one of the most anticipated match ups of the bowl season outside of the new Playoffs, which both of these teams just missed out on. As far as the game goes, LSU is in a transition year after losing several top players to the Draft in 2014 but their young talent will still be lethal, including former Michigan target and #1 overall recruit in the 2014 class, Leonard Fournette. It will be a very exciting match up, but I think Devin Gardner goes out as a hero for the Maize and Blue. Win 34-30

Record: 11-2 (6-2 B1G, 2nd in B1G West) Peach Bowl Champs

Offensive Leaders

QB Devin Gardner

  • 3,500 Total Yds
  • 40 Total TDs (26 Pass/14 Rush)
  • 7 Interceptions
  • 65% Completion Percentage
  • 160.0 QBRating
  • 1st Team All-B1G

RB DeVeon Smith

  • 1,245 Rush Yds
  • 250 Rec Yds
  • 15 Total TDs (13 Rush/2 Rec)
  • 2nd Team All-B1G

RB Derrick Green

  • 750 Rush Yds
  • 150 Rec Yds
  • 8 Rush TDs

WQB Jabrill Peppers

  • 250 Rush Yds
  • 100 Rec Yds
  • 3 Total TDs (2 Rush/1 Pass)

WR Devin Funchess

  1. 1,100 Receiving Yards
  2. 85 Catches
  3. 10 Rec TDs
  4. 1st Team All-B1G

Defensive Leaders 

DE Frank Clark

  • 8.5 Sacks
  • 45 Tackles
  • 4 TOs (1 Int/1 FR/2 FF)
  • 1st Team All-B1G

DT Willie Henry

  • 5 Sacks
  • 60 Tackles
  • 2 FRs

LB Jake Ryan

  • 3 Sacks
  • 105 Tackles
  • 5 TOs (2 Int/2 FF/1 FR)
  • 1st Team All-B1G

CB Jourdan Lewis

  • 65 Tackles
  • 5 Int
  • 1 FF
  • 2nd Team All-B1G

CB Blake Countess

  • 65 Tackles
  • 4 Int
  • 2 FF
  • 1st Team All-B1G

Special Teams Leaders

KR Dennis Norfleet

  • 1,050 Ret Yds
  • 23.0 Yds Avg
  • 1 TD
  • 1st Team All-B1G

PR Jabrill Peppers

  • 250 Ret Yds
  • 12.5 Yds Avg
  • 1 TD
  • 2nd Team All-B1G
Garrett Fishaw
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