Michigan Wolverines vs UMass Minutemen Football Preview

De-what? De-nard! That has been the talk around the Michigan campus and all over ESPN the entire week. Heisman frontrunner, electrifying speed and running combined with consistent passing, are just a few of the descriptions analysts have of arguably the most improved player in college football from last season. But, Denard Robinson will surprisingly not be the top story on the field for the Maize and Blue. Shocking isn’t it? After all, Denard is the offense, the motivation for the defense, and essentially the entire team according to the college football analytical world.

This weekend’s matchup against the Minutemen from Massachusetts will be a showcase of the backup quarterbacks. Denard Robinson will start the game and give the Wolverines a comfortable lead to set up the backups to gain some experience. The real story will be freshman quarterback Devin Gardner. He will most likely be the first of the backups to enter into the game. Devin Gardner combines a strong throwing arm with a solid running attack all on a frame that is about four inches taller and 35 pounds heavier than Robinson. Devin Gardner has the makings to become a great college football quarterback and he fits the Rich Rodriguez zone-read spread offense very suitably. Rich Rod will most likely run a very similar offense to when Denard is on the field with Gardner. I will be personally looking at Gardner’s development from training camp in his decision-making and throwing accuracy. But, trust me, this kid has got game.

As for the other backup, Tate Forcier, the golden boy from California, will probably receive his first snaps of the season. The “riding the bench while wearing a towel over his head” quarterback can finally try to restore some respect on the field with his teammates. Tate has a good arm, but does not have the running ability to fit in Rich Rodriguez’s system. The emergence of Denard Robinson as an elite, mobile quarterback has taken its toll on Forcier. I think it is inevitable that Tate Forcier will not be a Michigan Wolverine next season. Denard has secured the starting role for the season pending injury, since running like he has in the first two weeks is definitely dangerous. Devin Gardner is the clear-cut number two quarterback. Tate should enjoy his time on the field because after this game with UMass and next week against the Bowling Green Falcons, Forcier’s Michigan career will most likely come to an end.

UMass brings in a #18 ranked FCS football team. FCS?! No, anything but the FCS! After Michigan’s demoralizing loss to Appalachian State (sorry I brought this up Michigan fans) a few years back, the FCS scares the Michigan fans a little bit. Even Virginia Tech just lost to FCS James Madison. And UMass has a history of pushing FBS football teams to the end of the game. Four of the five losses they have against FBS teams were by 10 points or fewer. A cause for concern? Maybe. But, I do not see any trouble for the Wolverines this year.

Michigan should roll through this game and continue to lay down their path to what should be a 5-0 start.

Prediction: Michigan Wolverines 49, Umass Minutemen 10

Go Blue!

By: Lee Schechter
Big Ten Fans Michigan Wolverines Correspondent