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Welcome from The Staff

Steve, Craig, and Tim welcome you to The Wolverine Den! For a preview of the next game, see below. For a look back (and incriminating pictures), choose a game on the Last Week menu. If you plan on attending a tailgate at The Den for the first time, check out the blog Den Law. Click on Buy Gear for TWD shirt! See you on Saturday.

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This Week at The Wolverine Den

Connecticut at Michigan

Michigan Stadium

September 4, 2010 - 3:30 pm ET

2010 is a new year. The new Big House is unveiled. The University faces possible NCAA sanctions for the first time. And the Michigan Football team is brimming with renewed optimism. Offensive center David Molk said he has never seen or heard of a team that voluntarily worked so hard through the summer – all with one goal in mind: bring Michigan back.

The opening opponent is the University of Connecticut. The Huskies have won at least eight games in four of their six seasons since joining the Big East, even sharing a conference title with West Virginia in '07. But they've yet to climb that final hurdle and reach the 10-win plateau. This could be the year. Last year's team teetered ever so close, losing five games by a combined 15 points before closing with four straight wins, including a double-overtime thriller at Notre Dame and a 20-7 whipping of South Carolina in the PapaJohns.com Bowl.

UConn returns 16 starters, including its quarterback, top running back, four offensive linemen, the front four on defense and two standout linebackers. With a favorable conference schedule that includes home games against Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and West Virginia, the Huskies could conceivably earn the Big East's BCS berth. They are not ranked in the top 25 but were given a top 20 ranking by several preseason magazines. A win over Michigan would move the Huskies into the national rankings.

UConn uses a power running attack. They had two RBs over 1,000 yards in 2009. Look for several backs to get multiple carries with Jordan Todman as the featured back. QB Zach Fraser was originally a 4-star recruit at Notre Dame. He transferred to UConn when he couldn’t compete with Jimmy Claussen. He is talented and will help balance the UConn offense.

The Huskies defense is lead by the linebackers. The secondary is young and can be exposed.

We will get a glimpse of the Wolverines season in this opening game. Connecticut is similar in style and scheme to many of the Big Ten programs – Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Penn State. Look for both Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier to play at QB. And don’t be surprised if freshman Devin Gardner also gets a series or two. The key to the game will be the ability of the Michigan defense to stop the run. We will score some points but can we stop the Connecticut offense?

The Wolverines are a 3 point favorite.

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Craig's Prediction

36-34

Steve's Prediction

34-24

Tim's Prediction

28-21

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Great Moments in Wolverine - Huskies History

• Michigan and UConn have never played on the gridiron, although the Michigan basketball team did defeat the Huskies in February.

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