The marquee matchup of the first weekend pits the #8 Michigan Wolverines up against the #2 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. This game will be played at Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. Brady Hoke returned the Michigan Wolverines to prominence last year, but now they have to take on the defending champions from Alabama. <\/p>\n
Michigan Wolverines vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Matchup<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Preview<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Are the Wolverines up to the task? Can Alabama reload and work toward another BCS title appearance? The intensity level should be extremely high in this one.<\/p>\n Michigan got right back on the map with an 11 win season in 2011. Brady Hoke turned the team around right away, and he is bringing in some terrific recruiting classes as well. Michigan is a program on the rise once again.<\/p>\n Denard Robinson is back for his senior season with the Wolverines. There isn\u2019t a more electrifying quarterback in the nation. Robinson is a threat to take it to the end zone anytime he tucks it to run. He threw for 20 touchdowns last year, but he also threw 15 interceptions. He has worked on his mechanics in the offseason, and the team expects fewer turnovers from him. Fitzgerald Toussaint emerged as a very good tailback last year, and that helps this offense a ton. Toussaint ran for more than 1,000 yards last year, and he takes pressure off Robinson in the running game. Roy Roundtree and Jeremy Gallon need to be more productive on the outside this season.<\/p>\n Michigan\u2019s defense went from one of the worst in the nation in 2010 to one of the best in the nation in 2011. The back-seven looks even better in 2012, but the front four are a bit of a question mark. Mike Martin was the team leader up front last season, but he graduated at the end of 2011. Craig Roh is being asked to pick up the production on the defensive line. Kenny Demens is the leader of the linebackers, and Jordan Kovacs is a very solid safety. [soliloquy id=”82219″]<\/p>\n Nick Saban has built a perennial championship-level team in Alabama. The Crimson Tide took care of business in a big way last year when they dispatched of LSU in the BCS title game. There are lots of new faces in Tuscaloosa this season, but no one recruits better than Saban. This team is loaded once again in 2012.<\/p>\n The offense must replace star running back Trent Richardson. Eddie Lacey will be the primary runner, but freshmen Dee Hart and T.J. Yeldon will get some action as well. A.J. McCarron did a nice job managing the game last season, and he will likely be expected to do a little more this year in his second season as the starter. The Crimson Tide lost their top three receivers from last year, and that spot is probably where the team is the thinnest on offense. The offensive line should be dominate once again. Alabama returns four starters from a line that was awesome last season.<\/p>\n Alabama\u2019s defense pitched a shutout in the BCS Championship Game, and they really led the way all year in 2011. The amount of talent lost from the 2011 defense is really staggering. Mark Barron, Donta Hightower, Dre Kirkpatrick, and Courtney Upshaw are among the biggest names who are now in the NFL. Alabama has plenty of guys to plug into these spots, but you have to think the inexperience will slow the team down at least a little bit.<\/p>\n Alabama has more overall talent, but 14 points is a ton of points to be laying against a team as solid as Michigan. With the Crimson Tide having so much inexperience, I think the wise play is to take the underdog here.<\/p>\n
\nCowboys Stadium, Arlington Texas
\nSaturday September 1, 8:00 PM EST on ABC
\nCollege Football Betting Odds from BetOnline
\nMoneyline: Alabama (-540) Michigan (+435)
\nCollege Football Spread: Alabama -14 (-110) vs. Michigan +14 (-110)
\nOver\/Under: 46.5<\/strong><\/p>\nMichigan<\/h3>\n
Alabama<\/h3>\n