Michigan's hoops success drives football squad

CHICAGO - Michigan football won't sneak up on anyone this year because, well, it's Michigan.

No school has won as many games or can match its legendary anthem "The Victors." The program's winged helmets are iconic. It's Michigan, and there's no way an underdog tag suits a Michigan man.

But quarterback Devin Gardner believes there is a reason for the Wolverines to feel slighted entering this season. He watched the Michigan basketball team fall from top-ranked nationally to fifth-seeded in the Big Ten Tournament. Then he saw how that team battled through their setbacks and reached the national title game as a No. 4 seed. Gardner would like for his group to follow their lead.

"I hung out with (point guard) Trey Burke a lot and seeing those guys go to the national championship when no one picked them to do it is kind of how we'd like to have our season," Gardner said. "Nobody's picking us to do anything. So that's the way I like it. I like to sneak up on people and see what happens."

Many people are expecting Michigan to compete this season. The school did generate the most points among Legends Division teams in the Big Ten's preseason media poll. But few insiders consider the Wolverines a legitimate threat to knock off arch-rival Ohio State for the Big Ten title. That's what burns Gardner.

Michigan finished 8-5 last year, while the Buckeyes were 12-0. The Wolverines lost six offensive starters, including all-purpose weapon Denard Robinson and three offensive linemen, from last season. Defensively, only five starters return and top linebacker Jake Ryan suffered an ACL tear in spring football.

Plus, the Wolverines face largely two different schedules this year. In its first seven games, Michigan plays only one bowl team that finished with a winning record - Notre Dame - and that's at home. It's not far-fetched to expect the Wolverines to start 7-0. But after a one-week break, the slate gets nasty.

Michigan plays at Michigan State, which had beaten the Wolverines four straight until last year's last-second victory. Then Michigan gets Nebraska at home before traveling to 10-win Northwestern. After a trip to Iowa City where Michigan has won only once since 2001 - and that was in overtime - the Wolverines close out the season against Ohio State.

It has the potential for a daunting November, but Coach Brady Hoke is keeping a positive outlook. He repeatedly says last year's 8-5 season is "unacceptable." As always, he harps on eliminating turnovers and making smarter decisions. But he also changed his public tune concerning his players. He's more positive.

The Wolverines have potential. Tackle Taylor Lewan elected to return to Michigan instead of accepting an eight-figure payday from the NFL. Gardner moved to wide receiver early, then shifted back to quarterback, where he started four games in place of the injured Robinson. Gardner threw for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Running back Fitz Toussaint comes back but might not start with talented true freshman Derrick Green on campus. Even without Ryan, who had 16 tackles for loss last year, the Wolverines bring back solid linebackers in Desmond Morgan and Brennan Beyer. West Des Moines native Amara Darboh expects to make a major impact at wide receiver.

"I like our football team," Hoke said. "I usually don't say that. I said it after the spring. I will continue to say it because I like how they've handled themselves on the field and off the field so far this summer. I like their work ethic, and I like how they've represented Michigan in a lot of ways.

"Me liking them doesn't guarantee us anything, because we have a lot of work ahead of us still."