Gametime: 3:30pm
TV coverage: Big Ten Network
MnB game coverage: Preview | What We Need to See | Q&A with Hustle Belt | Week One CFB Preview
Final Thoughts:
Michigan gets a pretty easy warm up game in the form of a Central Michigan team that just doesn't seem to have the firepower to mount a serious challenge. Does that mean things can't go horribly wrong? No. For one:
Michigan senior safety Thomas Gordon suspended for opener due to 'violation of team rules' @MLive http://t.co/5fdqFhz8mY
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) August 31, 2013
This is bad news. Michigan is already thin at safety with the two week injury hiatus that Courtney Avery is on, and the fact that we are talking about a corner-turned-safety as an important contributor should serve to put just how dire the situation is into proper context. Michigan is going to have a hard time not giving up big plays with probably Jarrod Wilson and Josh Furman playing deep. One is a sophomore that didn't seize the job in fall camp. The other is a senior that has never sniffed playing time. They are both athletic, so against Central they might hold up okay, but yeah, no likey.
On the bright side, throwing these two into the fire against a team that should be fairly well contained by the front seven could be good experience. That is if the whole thing doesn't blow up in Michigan's face.
This also places a bit more pressure on the offense to not make mistakes and to put up points quickly so that things really do stay out of reach if Central starts coming up with the big plays we are so used to seeing Michigan avoid.
I'd like to say I'm still confident in my 34-10 prediction, but I think Central puts up a little more and Michigan is forced to run its offensive starters a little longer. 41-17, and Jarrod Wilson makes at least one play that makes you remember why he was so highly regarded (as well as a couple that remind you he is still a sophomore playing the toughest position on the defense).
Go Blue.