0 0 0 REACHING THE 2009 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL SCHEDULE October 17,2009 1- Football Sat rda Wolverines should run away with a 'W' against DSU HALFWAY.POINT Does this stat scare you? Michigan is 0-1 all-time against Football Championship Subdivision competi- tion. The one they lost just so happened to be to one of the best FCS schools ever -- Appalachian State - but anyway, we're done rationalizing that one. The lowly Delaware State Hornets, winners of just one game this season, are going to bring their best into the Big House Saturday, because, well, this is their Super Bowl. You don't schedule a nonconference game over an already-scheduled conference opponent and come 600 miles to lay down and die. Trust us, win or lose, the Hornets will fight tough. Michael Eisenstein a Ruth Lincoln Courtney Ratkowiak * Andy Reid HIGHLIGHTS Believe it or not, Michigan isn't the only team that boasts maize-and-blue winged helmets that Delaware State will play this year. Page three for details. It's the midway point of the season (and midterm time for Michigan students), so it's about time for The Daily to grade the Wolverines' performance thus far. it's best to know the enemy, right? Read about members of the opposing team in our weekly Q&A feature. Up this week is Hornet defensive back Avery Grant. Sept. 5 Western Michigan: Before this win, it had been a while since Michigan fans had anything to cheer about during opening weekend. Sept.12 Notre Dame: Hey, Chuck Weis, you already got schooled by one true freshman quarterback this season. This week, you'll make it two after Matt Barkley throws all over the place. Sept.19 Eastern Michigan: The Eagles put up a good fight in the first half, but Michigan once agais proved there's only room for one college football team in Washtenaw County. 5 Sept.26 Indiana: Wait, what? Indiana still has a football team? We'll believe it when we see it. Still haven't, even though it gave Michigan a scare for a few minutes there. Oct. 3 at Michigan State: So the Spartans beat Michigan for the second year ina row. Whatever. Keep Paul Bunyan. That thing is butt-ugly anyway. . From page 6B MICHIGAN PASSING OFFENSE - VS. DELAWARE STATE PASSING DEFENSE Beyond battling a concussion, Tate Forcier has a tender shoulder and bruised confidence after last Saturday's loss. Against the Hor- nets, he should get some much- needed rest. Enter Denard Robinson. Saturday could be Robinson's chance to prove that he's actually a quarterback and can, you know, throw the ball. Robinson's game- ending interception at Iowa last week left a sour taste in everyone's mouth, and the freshman quar- terback would likely love nothing more than to re-establish himself, even if it is against a dismal FCS passing defense that has given up 189.2 yards per game through the air. The Wolverine receivers, who have left much to be desired the past few weeks against physical cornerbacks, should see this week- end as a welcome relief. With two players to watch ou that's a stretch. MICHIGAN RUS VS. DELAWA RUSHINGC Playing a top- Championship Sub one thing. Playing is another. The F just 14 points a gam to a dismal seven Bethune-Cookman hadn't won agame it slipped past Del weekend. With Brandon Martin and Craig F Obi Ezeh and Jona ing a game against an FCS school to fidence, Delaware overmatched. Remember whe one rushing yard t half last weekend? it for -- and even MICHIGAN PASSING DEFENSE VS. DELAWARE STATE Edge: Michigan PASSING OFFENSE If Delaware State was going to HING DEFENSE take the edge in any category, it ORE STATE would be this one. OFFENSE The Wolverines are dead last in -notch Football the Big Ten in pass defense, giving division team is up more than 250 passing yards a bad FCS team per game, but they have recently 'tornets average switched things up in the second- ie and were held ary. After sophomore cornerback points against Boubacar Cissoko was suspend- - a team that ed for a violation of team rules this season until and redshirt freshman J.T. Floyd aware State last looked vulnerable, Troy Woolfolk switched from safety to corner- Graham, Mike back. Roh up front and That may possibly shore up as Mouton need- the defense for now, at least until a teamlike, well, Michigan defensive coordinator gain some con- Greg Robinson comes up with a State is simply better solution. Even with all of the Wolverines' faults, their tal- n Iowa had only ent should be too much for the hrough the first Hornets. interceptions between them this lar performance. season, defensive backs Greg Ligon and Francis Adjei are likely the only Edge: Michigan SPECIAL TEAMS Punter Zoltan Mesko had the game of his life last week against Iowa, averaging53.8 yards per punt and launching a 61-yard boot. There is some reason to fear the Hornets -- Ligon might be riding a hot streak after he blocked an extra point against Bethune-Cookman last week. Edge: Michigan INTANGIBLES The Hornets regularly play in front of about 7,000 people. Add 100,000 more, and it's safe to say they will be a little overwhelmed. Michigan is bigger, stronger, fast- er, more tradition-rich, has more scholarships and is undoubtedly more physically fit than Delaware State. And what small school play- er isn't at least a little intimidated when he sees those winged helmets flying at him? Edge: Michigan LOOKING FOR LIVE TWEETS FROM THE MICHIGAN/ DSU GAME? FOLLOW @MICHDAILYSPORTS Oct.10 at Iowa: Kinnick Stadium would rank as one of the best in the Big Ten -if they didn't play "Gotta Feeling" 3,000,000 times and their fans didn't storm the field against unranked teams. Oct.17 Delaware State: As if Michigan students needed more motivation to skip this game, the Athletic Department scheduled it during Fall Break. I Oct.24 Penn State: Little known fact: Joe Paterno is the only active college football coach who participated in the Revolutionary War. Just kidding. He is really old, though. Oct. 31 at Illinois: After a weak start, the Fighting llini are almost as irrelevant as Chief Illiniwek, the school's mascot that was discontinued in 2007. Nov. 7 Purdue: Think the Wolverines still have that hook-and-lateral on their minds? With the game against Purdue one Michigan is expected to win, expect the Wolverines to come out swinging. Nov.14 at Wisconsin: Hey, Bret Bielema. What are you going to do about that tigerhawk tattoo on your calf this weekend while your team is playing the Hawkeyes? Nov. 21 Ohio State: The sweater vest -perfect for when your torso is ice cold but your arms still need to breathe. Seriously, Tressel, what is up with that wardrobe? Look for a simi- Score: M Delav Edge: Michigan Michigan 52, ware State 7 Guest Picker: Drum Major Andy David Reid , Hines Jr. .._--- ---- - ,, Like our pictures of Michigan football? Get your own. STAFF PICKS The Daily football writers do their best to predict what happens in the 2009 football season. Michigan (NS) vs. Delaware State No.1 Florida (-24) vs. Arkansas No. 2 Alabama (-17) vs No. 22 S Carolina No. 3 Texas (-3.5) vs. No. 20 Oklahoma No. 4 VA Tech (-3) at No.19 GA Tech No.6 So. Cal (-10) at No. 25 Notre Dame No. 7 Ohio State (-14) at Purdue No. 8 Cincinnati (-3) at No. 21 So. Florida No. 9 Miami (FL) (-14.5) at UCF No. 11 Iowa (+2.5) at Wisconsin No.12 TCU (-22) vs. Colorado St. No.14 Penn State (-16.5) vs. Minnesota No.15 Nebraska (-10.5) vs. Texas Tech No.16 Oklahoma State (-7) vs. Missouri No.17 Kansas (-10) at Colorado No.18BYU(-17) at San Diego State No. 23 Houston (-17) at Tulane No. 24 Utah (-16.5) at UNLV Indiana(+2) vs. Illinois Michigan State (-13.5) vs. Northwestern Last Week Overall Michael Eisensteir Michigan Arkansas Alabama Texas Virginia Tech Notre Dame Ohio State South Florida Miami Iowa Colorado State Minnesota Nebraska Oklahoma State Kansas. BYU Houston Utah Indiana Northwestern 11-11 73-58-1 T Ruth Wincolns Michigan Arkansas Alabama Texas Virginia Tech Southern Cal Ohio State South Florida UNLV Te xas Christian Minnesota Texas Tech Oklahoma State Kansas San Diego State Houston UNLV Indiana Northwestern 11-11 67-64-1 Courtney Ratkowiak Michigan Arkansas Alabama Texas Georgia Tech Southern Cal Ohio State Cincinnati Miami Wisconsin Colorado State Minnesota Nebraska Oklahoma State Kansas San Diego State Houston Utah Illinois Northwestern 10-12 70-61 -1 > ;: ; Michigan Arkansas Alabama Texas Virginia Tech Southern Cal Ohio State Cincinnati Miami Iowa Texas Christian Penn State Nebraska Missouri Kansas BYU Houston Utah Indiana Michigan State 10-12 61-70-1 Michigan Arkansas Alabama Oklahoma Virginia Tech Notre Dame Ohio State South Florida Miami Iowa Colorado State Minnesota Texas Tech Oklahoma State Kansas BYU Houston Utah Indiana Northwestern 12-10 69-62-1 Commemorate the Wolverines' unforgettable upset of Notre Dame by buying The Michigan Daily's photos from the game. Visit photo.michigandaily.com. To apply tobe a guest picker, e-mail lincolnr@umich.edu. If you're chosen and can beat at least two of us, you'll stay on for another week. The longest tenured guest picker will get a prize at the end of the season.