Michigan Football: Air Force Falcons vs. Michigan Wolverines — GBMWolverine Staff Predictions
Posted at 7:00am — 9/8/2012
Michigan Football: Air Force Falcons vs. Michigan Wolverines — GBMWolverine Staff Predictions
The staff at GBMWolverine have made their predictions and also gave their comments on the game today at 3:30pm at Michigan Stadium.
Former Michigan player (and head coach)’s No. 47 jersey will be honored with “Michigan Football Legend” distinction in conjunction with the game. Michigan will meet Air Force on the gridiron for just the second time. The Wolverines won the first-ever contest, 24-7, on Sept. 26, 1964 at Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines have a 109-18-2 record all-time in home openers.
Going to be a big-time Flyover today with Three University of Michigan Helicopters, Eagle Flyover During National Anthem — Challenger, and B-2 Stealth Bomber.
CoachBT:
Michigan wins comfortably after Air Force hangs tough early.
Air Force 17
Michigan 31
Doc4Blu:
Good weather, should be a lot of yards and a lot of points. Never know though.
Air Force 24
Michigan 37
ErocWolverine
Well after a very tough loss how does this team bounce back? That is the biggest question more than the opponent Air Force. No disrespect to them at all, but Michigan built the Alabama game into a BCS bowl type atmosphere.
Playing in front of the home crowd should help and the first quarter playing against a different offense can be challenging to say the least. The defense will need to play smart, fundamentally sound football along with being disciplined in their assignments and stay in their lanes.
Can the offense find their way and improve from last week poor performance from the entire offense? The offensive line needs to do a better job of blocking and creating holes, the receivers need to run crisper routes, the backs needs to create when something might not be there and the quarterback needs to make better decisions.
Think early on Michigan and Air Force will be a very tough game, but think in the second half Michigan pulls away.
Air Force 20
Michigan 32
MaizeMan:
No prediction sent in this week.
Mike Fitzpatrick (TheMichiganManPodcast)
Will the Alabama loss linger? Is Bama really that good? Was Michigan overrated? At this point we just don’t know. What I do know is that Brady Hoke will get this team to move past last weeks deflating loss. Saturday provides Michigan with an opponent worthy of respect, but lacking in the size, speed, and skill it takes to beat a team like Michigan. This is a huge bounce back game for The Wolverines, and I expect they will come out to play
Offense: Everything needs work. Fitz will start and Denard will have more holes, and more time to make decisions. The receiving corp is a great unknown, and the offensive line is bunged up. Look for the running game to get it going against the undersized D line of Air Force. This should also be a good opportunity for Denard to gain some early confidence in the passing game. Expect the offense to put up the points, barring mistakes and turnovers.
Defense: Is our D-Line as bad we think it might be? Probably not. The entire unit got toasted last week, but things should be different today. Air Force runs a multiple formation Veer offense that is very hard to prepare for, and is very hard to stop. ASSIGNMENT FOOTBALL! That’s what Coach Mattison will be preaching this week. Be where you are supposed to be on the field, do not over pursue, and TACKLE! This offense will be a good test, and hopefully a confidence builder for Michigan’s D.
Prediction: This should be a comfortable win for The Wolverines. I’m still not sure what kind of team we have, but we will have a much better idea after Saturday.
Air Force 21
Michigan 35
SKWDCOP:
Air Force has a potent running attack, and passes just enough to keep defenses guessing. The problem is that much like Michigan during the Rodriguez tenure Air Force places a lot priority on offense (and this year they are essentially no huddle), and defense lacks – and when you as a team cannot practice against anything (less minor game preps) other than the triple option it does not prepare you for other offenses, much like practicing against the spread constantly hurt Michigan the past couple of years. Though USAF put up huge numbers against Idaho State, the reverse was also true because Idaho put up 431 yards and Idaho does not have the horses, or talent Michigan possesses.
AF will win if: The Front seven of the defense does not play assignment smart, handle chop-blocking, and fill gaps or if the secondary gets taken out of plays by WR blocking.
Sep 1, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Denard Robinson (16) in action against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIREMichigan will win if: Denard is allowed to use his legs more, and open up his passing game, Fitz puts up over 150, and the O sustains long grueling drives. The defense plays good not great.
Prediction:
This will be the game Norfleet takes his first kick-off to the house.
Michigan will have a solid enough lead by the end of the third that Bellomy will take several series.
Air Force 21
Michigan 45
WerlsWolverine
Air Force 17
Michigan 28
YostMeister
No prediction sent in this week.
Just a reminder you must be a member to participate on the Message Board. Here is the link for the registration page for those people interested in becoming a GBMWolverine member of our message board. GBMWolverine Register.
Please comment on our GBMWolverine Message Board about this article and read what others comment.
You can contact us at our e-mail address: GBMWolverine
Follow us on Twitter:
@ErocWolverine
@GBMWolverine
@Mike Fitzpatrick
@YostMeister
Written by GBMWolverine Staff
Go Blue — Wear Maize!