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STAFF PICKS
The Daily football writers do their best
to predict, against the spread, what
happens in the 2012 football season.

Friday, September 21, 2012 - 7

Ben
Estes


No.i18Michigan at No.i11SNtre ae (-3.5)
No. 2 LSU -i85).aiAuburn
No.4Flri~dSatei-3) .No.10Clemson
No. Okoh -7 ,,vs.N. 5 asstate
Noo8WestsVirgi -265) vs.Mryiand
No.13 USC i-3)vs.Califri
No. i6Ohio State i-36) vs. UA6
No. 19sCLAi(-1)ivs. Ore ott
No, 2i MichiganState (-28.5) vs. EaterinMichga
No.23 MississppiSittei-32.5) s.South Aiabama
Wiscn i-8.5) vs TEP
owa 08) is.Centa ihigan,,,
Northwestern iNS)-vs. Suth Daota
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Las Wee

LSU
Oregn'
Georiak
Ohio Sat
MichignState
South Aoaama
Northwester
Temple
LoisisTc

Zach
Helfand
Michigan
Florida Atlantic
LSU
Arizona
Clemson
Georgia
Kansas State
South Carolina
West Virginia
USC
Florida
.UAB
Texas Christian
UCLA
Louisville
Michigan State
Mississippi State
Nebraska
UTEP
owa
Northwestern
Temple
Syracuse
llinois
1s-15
30-28-1

Stephen J.
Nesbitt
Michigan
Florida Atlantic
LSU
Arizona
Florida State
Georgia
Oklahoma
South Carolina
West Virginia
USC
Florida
Ohio.State
Texas Christian
UCLA
Louisville
Michigan State
Mississippi State.
Nebraska
UTEP
owa
Northwestern
Penn State
Syracuse
Illinois
18-12
34-24-1

Luke
LSU
Arizona
FloridaState
Kanss,Sat
MOh~io Stat
Nehraska
WsconsinM
17-13

Charlotte Rath,
Dance Marathon
Meeeechigan
Alabama
Auburn
Oregon
Clemson
Georgia
Oklahoma
Missouri
West Virginia
USC
Florida
Ohio State
Texas Christian
UCLA
Florida international
Michigan State
Mississippi State
Nebraska
Wisconsin
Iowa
Northwestern
Temple
Mirnnesota
llinois

" i i - i


Michigan searching for first conference championship

Ryan compares But this may be the year it finally The Michigan roster features Zadorsky won Big Ten defensive
breaks through. three players who participated player of the week.
defense to U. S. Entering the brunt of their in the under-20 women's World The Wolverines know they
women's national Big Ten schedule, the Wol- Cup in Japan. Junior defender have potential. Coming off of a
verines boast a 7-2-0 record, Shelina Zadorsky (Canada), disappointing 2011 campaign
team back line, three-straight victories, a con- junior forward Nkem Ezurike which saw them fail to qualify
ference-leading.44 goals-against (Canada) and sophomore mid- for the Big Ten Tournament, the
average and no defeats at home. fielder Christina Murillo (Mex- players are thirsty for success.
By ALEJANDRO ZUNIGA Their only two losses occurred ico) represented their countries "Our goal is to finish in the
Daily Sports Writer the same weekend in California; this summer. Since returning top four," said Michigan coach
with eight players battling the to Michigan, they've caught the Greg Ryan. "If possible, win a big
The Michigan women's soc- stomach flu, Michigan fell to Cal eye of the rest of the conference: championship."
cer team has never won a Big Ten State Northridge and No.11 Long Last week, Ezurike won Big Ten Michigan could rely on
re-ularsea sonchamneshin.n BachState.offe nsive niver ofthe aee ad theh-ir solid daefense and neare--

unbeatable goaltending to earn Michigan's solid back line has
them that championship. The frustrated opponents, often forc-
defensive unit has recorded six ing them to send more players
shutouts this season and has not forward, which creates open-
surrendered a goal in more than ings for the Wolverines' offense.
270 minutes of play. Ryan, who Through nine games, nine differ-
led the U.S. women's national ent players have scored, and nine
team from 2005-2007, compared players have recorded assists.
the Wolverines' defense to that Michigan will face a stiff
squad. challenge this
"This is weekend, play-
what a profes- ing No. 14 Wis-
sional back "This is what consin on the
line looks road. Indeed,
like," Ryan a professional the Big Ten as
said. "When p a whole figures
I coached the back line to be difficult,
U.S. national as no team has
team, that's looks like." a losing record.
what the back And the Wol-
line looked verines are
like." relatively inex-
When the defense falters, perienced, featuring eight fresh-
senior netminder Haley Kop- man and 18 underclassman on
meyer has risen to the challenge. the roster.
Kopmeyer leads the Big Ten in But maybe Michigan's defense
saves and shutouts, and also really is world-class. Maybe
holds the program's record for Ezurike, Zadorsky, and'Murillo
all-time saves. Zadorsky attrib- can represent the Block "M" as
uted much of her unit's success well as they represented their
to Kopmeyer. countries. Maybe the freshman
'It's great to have that con- will play like seniors. And maybe
fidence behind me," Zadorsky - just maybe - the Wolverines
said. "She's just so impressive will hoist a first-place trophy this
back there." fall.

*APM IE GE Information Session:
Friday, Sept 21, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in
1610 1OE
" SHPE/NSBE Corporate Mixer:
Saturday, Sept 22, 2 - 4 p.m. in the
Johnson Rooms
* SWE Professional Development
Day: Sunday, Sept 23, 9:30 a.m. -
2:30 p.m. in 1013 and 1017 Dow
(Registration Required)
* Quality and Engineering Programs
in Healthcare Info Session: Sunday,
Sept 23, 5,-6 p.m. in Dow 1010
*Career Fair Reception: Sunday, Sept
23, 6 - 8 p.m. in Tishman Hall
* Engineering Career Fair: Monday,
Sept 24, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the
Duderstadt Center Atrium
* Networking Event: Monday, Sept
24, 7 - 9 p.m. at Cottage Inn
Restaurant on Central Campus
" GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Info
Session: Tuesday, Sept 25 from
6-7pm in 2906 in the Cooley Building
For more info on these events &
opportunities at GE, go to:
www.gecareers.com/umich

THERESA MATHEW/Daily
Fifth-year senior goaltender Haley Kopmeyer has recorded six shutouts this
season and is Michigan's all-time saves leader.
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