With the Alabama Crimson Tide’s opening game against Michigan just two days away, I sat down with ISportsWeb’s Michigan analyst Rob White, who kindly answered a few questions about the Wolverines.You can view my answers to his questions here.
1. Can Michigan fans feel confident with Denard Robinson’s ability to win this game with his arm?
Much has been made about Robinson’s passing abilities. Don’t forget this is the same guy who completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 2,570 yards with 18 TDs and 11 picks in 2010. Last year, in the new offense, he only competed 55 percent of his passes for 2,173 yards with 20 TDs and 15 INTs. The most alarming number there is the 15 interceptions, which happens to be the same number of picks that Landry Jones had last year.
He is now in his second season under the tutelage of Brady Hoke and Offensive Coordinator Al Borges. He is much more comfortable in the offense, has improved his mechanics and Michigan will line him up in the shotgun more this year.
Robinson is a playmaker and he completed some big time passes in clutch situations last year. I’m confident that he can strike for some big plays in the passing game, which will make his threat of running even more deadly.
2. If Fitz Toussaint isn’t allowed to play, how big of a loss is this for Michigan?
It will be a big blow. He had emerged down the stretch last year as the perfect compliment to Denard Robinson. He is a powerful and shifty runner. With that being said, the coaching staff is very high on sophomore Thomas Rawls (5-10, 218). He has a bulldozing running style and can shed would be tacklers. There are rumors that Rawls might be banged up though.
Senior Vincent Smith might be small (5-6, 175), but he is tough as nails and has scored 11 career TDs.
3. Who is one Michigan player that Alabama fans haven’t heard of who will make a big impact on Saturday’s game?
I’m not sure how familiar Alabama fans are with Michigan LB Jake Ryan (RS So), but I know they will be well acquainted with him by the end of the game. He has size (6-3, 242), speed and athleticism. Ryan was second on the team with 11 TFLs last year. He saved his best game for the Sugar Bowl when he notched 7 tackles and 4 TFLs. Ryan has great closing speed and a nose for the football.
Another player to keep an eye on is back up QB Devin Gardner. He is one of the best athletes on the team and the coaches are determined to get him more involved in the offense. The 6-foot-4, 203 pound junior has been working at wide receiver and has been impressive. He might play a key role in this game, even if it isn’t at quarterback.
4. How much would a Michigan win mean for the Big Ten?
A win over the defending national champs would be big for Michigan and the Big Ten. The fact that Alabama resides in the SEC would make a win that much more impressive. It would give the conference a boost to claim a marquee win of this magnitude. A win would of course be huge for Michigan’s confidence as they embark on a treacherous schedule this year. It would also continue the momentum that U-M got rolling last season, culminating with a Sugar Bowl victory.
A win for Michigan would be similar to the one Alabama had, when they knocked off No. 9 Clemson to open Nick Saban’s second season in Tuscaloosa (2008). It propelled them to a 12-2 season and they have never looked back.
5. What is your prediction for the game with a score?
I think Alabama will win, but they’re not going to blow out the Wolverines like many experts have predicted. Michigan, like Alabama, is very well coached and Denard Robinson is a difference maker.
The build up to this game reminds me a lot of the 2008 Capital One Bowl when Michigan was supposed to get stomped by the Tim Tebow led Florida Gators. Instead, it was a 41-35 victory for the Wolverines.
Michigan has a 24-9-1 record against teams that are currently in the SEC.
Alabama has the edge in the trenches which is where football games are won and lost. Brady Hoke said that the Crimson Tide has the best offensive line he has ever seen. That puts a lot of pressure on Michigan’s revamped defensive line. Alabama has fewer question marks heading into this contest and they should prevail.
Alabama 27-21
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