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2B - Friday, October 27, 2006 0 1
2006 Michigan Schedule
Vanderbilt (Sept. 2), W 27-7: "Bend, don't break" can't be used
to describe the defense after this impressive performance.
Michigan allowed just 171 yards of total offense and sacked the
quarterback six times. Somewhere Jim Herrmann is crying.
Central Michigan(Sept.9), W 41-17: Thunder and lightning didn't
stop the Wolverines from trouncing the Chippewas at the Big
House. Mike Hart ran all over Central's D for three touchdowns,.and
LaMarr Woodley picked up two sacks for the second straightweek.
Notre Dame (Sept. 16), W 47-21: The FightingIrish
came into this one with the national media singingtheir
praises, but it was Michigan who emerged victorious.
The Wolverines dominated every facet of the game.
FOOTBALL SATURDAY PRODUCTION CREW
Scott Bell
MattSinger
Kevin Wright
Stephanie Wright Football Writers
Don nM. Fresard Editor in Chief
Jack Herman Managing Sports Editor
Jeffrey Bkoumer Managing Editor
Alex Dziadosz
Mike Hulsebus Managing PhotoEditors
Mike Hulsebus Cover
Rodrigo Gaya Cover Photo
Alexis Floyd Business Manager
Robert Chin Display Sales Manager
Ben Schrotenboer Assoc. Display Sales Manager
David Dai Special Project Manager
Specialthanks to: Lisa Gentile, Bridget O'Donnell, Weboggle
4A L L DA U Y The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
'
Friday, October 27, 2006 - 7B
9Wisconsin (Sept. 23) W 27-13: Michigan took its
time in this one, toying with the Badgers and giving
them hope. Then Chad Henne, Mario Manningham
and the Michigan defense put the pedal to the metal
and buried Wisconsin, picking up revenge after last
season's heartbreaking loss at Camp Randall.
Minnesota (Sept. 30) W 28-14: In 2005, the Golden Gophers
stormed Michigan Stadium's turf and planted their flag
after beating the Wolverines. This year, Michigan took
j back the Little Brown Jug with a bit more class, marching
slowly toward the Minnesota sideline and celebrating as
ateam. But it was just a spur of the moment type deal.
Michigan State (Oct.7) W 31-13: After two straight years
of exciting finishes, this season's Michigan-Michigan
State matchup pretty much stunk. The Wolverines
proved they won't let an emotional rivalry game derail
their undefeated year. The Spartans proved they can't
control their emotions. Well doneJohn L. Well done.
Penn State (Oct. 14) W 17-10: Everyone knew Michigan's
defensive line was good. Knocking Penn State's top
two quarterbacks out of the game is simply ridiculous.
The front four's hits were so hard that neither Nittany
Lion signal-caller had been cleared to practice as of
Wednesday. Welcome to the big leagues Paul Cianciolo. -
s
..E
Iowa (Oct. 21) W 20-6: Give Iowa credit. The Hawkeyes
put up a valiant effort, but the Michigan defense was too
much for Tate and his cronies. Another game and another
victory for a Wolverine team on amission. So if you're
thinking whatwe're thinking, skip the next few boxes and
go straight to Ohio State. It'll bethe game of the century.
Northwestern (Oct. 28): Northwestern loves to be Big Ten
giant killers, and the Wolverines are no strangers to losing an
"easy" game against the Wildcats. Just ask former Michigan
running back Anthony Thomas. This will be the final Big
Ten game played at the Big House this season, and you can
expect the outgoing seniors will want to go out on top.
Ball State (Nov. 4): Although Ball State is David
Letterman's alma mater, there won't be anything funny
about this game. Many of you may decide that the tailgate
you're at is more fun and just stay there. But Michigan
should continue its dominance of the Mid-American
Conference in this late-season nonconference game.
Indiana (Nov.1): Coach Terry Hoeppner claims the new team
motto is "If you can run, you can play," emphasizing team speed.
What he really means is that if you can functionally run, you
can play because this team is awful. How the hell did it beat
Iowa two weeks ago?And why didn't the students rush the field?
Maybe it was because no one goes to Hoosier football games.
Ohio State (Nov.18): The Horseshoe will be rocking, as this
game will mostelikely crownthe Big Ten champion and decide
a possible national title contender. Nothing like the possibility
of a No. 1 vs. No.2 match-up to spice the greatest rivalry in
college football. If Lloyd Carrcan win this one on the road,
he may consider dropping the extra "L" in his name.
FOOTBALL
SATURDAY
Let's face it. You don't care
about Northwestern. No,
you're just like ESPN analyst
Kirk Herbstreit, already
looking ahead to the poten-
tial No. S vs. No. 2 end-of-the-
season match-up between
Ohio State and Michigan.
Already Michigan has over-
come every obstacle in its
way. First, there was Notre
Dame and fat Charlie. Noth-
ing a dominating perfor-
mance can't fix. Then, the
Wolverines traveled to Penn
State. They knocked out two;
quarterbacks in the impres-
sive road victory.
Well, don't count out North-
western. Even though the
Wildcats rank near the
bottom 10 in some polls,
they still put up 38 points
against Michigan State last
weekend.
So, just like the football
team, we're not going to
look ahead (or maybe we
already are).
This week, we feature a
story on linebacker Shawn
Crable. The redshirt junior
had his ups and downs dur-
ing his tenure at Michigan.
Through the tough times,
he's finally found his place
on the team. He's now
enjoying his best season as
a Wolverines.
Also, make sure to check out
an exclusive interview with
Northwestern wide receiver
Shawn Herbert. He didn't
have very many people talk-
ing to him at Big Ten Media
Day, so we felt bad.
Scott Bell * Matt Singer
Kevin Wright * Stephanie
Wright
JUST A
HEAD'S UP.
THE NATIONAL
CHAMPIONSHIP
GAME IS JAN. 8.
GET YOUR
TICKETS EARLY.
DAILY SPORTS.
From page 3B
Heck, walk-on Michigan receiver Landon Smith could
probably put up big numbers against this group. Book it for the
Wolverines.
Edge: Michigan
Michigan rushing defense v. Northwestern rushing
offense:
You've heard all the accolades. Michigan's rushing defense
is absolutely incredible and by far the best in the nation.
But you probably haven't heard too much about Northwest-
ern running back Tyrell Sutton, who's an excellent player
in his own right. The 5-foot-9 sophomore isn't called upon
to run very often, but when he is, he can light up opposing
defenses. The returning 1,000-yard rusher and defending Big
Ten Freshman of the Year isn't putting up the same numbers
he did last year, but he's still dangerous u nth his 6.1 yard per
carry average.
Even so, Sutton is the worst of he 5-foot-9 running backs in
this game. The Wolverines should dominate.
Edge: Michigan
Michigan passing defense v. Northwestern passing
offense:
With the Wolverines' front seven completely shutting down
running games, Michigan's opponents have been forced to
throw whether they want to or not. The result has been a few
more passing yards than defensive coordinator Ron English
would like.
But Northwestern is in no position to exploit the Wolver-
ines' lone defensive question mark. The Wildcats have played
three quarterbacks extensively, and none of them have estab-
_Friday._October 27,_2006_-_7B
BREAKDOWN - Wildcats have no hope against 'M' onslaught
lished themselves. Sophomore C.J. Bacher gets the call this
week, trying to spark a Northwestern passing offense ranked
dead last in the Big Ten.
This week could be a nice morale-booster for the Michigan
secondary.
Edge: Michigan
Special Teams:
Michigan's special teams this year have been the best in
recent memory. Kicker Garrett Rivas is having a career sea-
son, and has missed just two field goals. Punter Zoltan Mesko,
when comfortable, has wowed stadiums with his beauti-
ful, high arcing punts. And Steve Breaston got it going in the
return game with a huge 64-yard kick return against Iowa.
Northwestern's special teams don't stack up. Kicker Joel
Howells is 4-for-7 attempting field goals this year, and punter
Slade Larscheid is averaging 38.1 yards a punt. There are no
major threats in the return game.
Edge: Michigan
Intangibles:
Michigan mightbe tempted to look past this game, but Ohio
State isn't for another three weeks. The Wolverines will prob-
ably be ready to take care of business.
Meanwhile, coming off the most demoralizing loss pos-
sible, Northwestern has to face a No. 2 Michigan team that is
rolling. Especially with an inexperienced signal caller under
center, expect the Wildcats to be intimidated coming into the
Big House.
They should be.
Edge: Michigan
Michigan 31, Northwestern 7
RODRIGC
Garrett Rivas is having his best season yet as a Wolverine
nailed 12 of his 14 field goal attempts.
2006 DEPTH CHART
FS
R. Mundy
B. Englemon
SS
J. Adams
W. Barringer
SAM
S. Crable
B. Logan
KR
S. Breaston
J. Sears
PR
S. Breaston
L. Hall
CB
M. Trent
J. Sears
$10
WILL MIKE
P. Burgess D. Harris
C. Graham J. Thompson
y
Kt
trAM PTON S
CB
L. Hall
B. Harrison
Linco n4&Pien
DE DT DT DE
R. Biggs T. Taylor A. Branch L. Woodley
T. Jamison W. Johnson M. Walton J. Van Alstyne
TE LT LG
C. Butler J. Long A. Kraus
B. Thompson M. Ortmann J. Ciulla
WR
A. Arrington
G. Mathews
C RG RT
M. Bihl A. Mitchell R. Riley
D. Moosman J. Boren C. Zirbel
QB
C. Henne
J. Forcier
WR
S. Breaston
C. Tabb
FB
0.Oluigbo
W. Paul
K
G. Rivas
P
Z. Mesko
R. Ryan
RB
M. Hart
K. Grady