Team 133 is looking to rebound today

Michigan needs to bounce back after an eye opening loss to Alabama last Saturday night. Will the team rally?

Who are the 2012 Wolverines?

After team 133’s embarrassing 41-14 loss to Alabama, the 2012 Wolverines are facing a regrouping task early.

Last year’s Team 132 also faced adversity early—in the second game of the year against a Notre Dame team many believed would turn the corner under second year head coach Brian Kelly. Down 17 points heading into the fourth quarter, and after taking several blows to the face from the Irish, the Wolverines got up off the mat, rallied and scored four touchdowns in the final 15 minutes to win 35-31. The new-found positivity that Brady Hoke had the program in January, and a Michigan team that believed they could beat anyone, anywhere and at anytime, ended with an 11-2 season.

After last week’s game, the rallying must begin not with a fourth quarter comeback but coming off a big loss. Today, either the Wolverines will come out firing, establishing the line of scrimmage and clean up the uncharacteristic mistakes on their way to a multiple touchdown victory, and once again rebuild confidence inside Schembechler Hall. Or, on the flip side, the Wolverines could come out undisciplined again and set a dangerous tone for the rest of the year in a wide-open Big Ten race.

Morgan, defense looking to bounce back

Playing a team loaded with talent such as the Crimson Tide in the first game can be very deceiving especially early in the season. While fans may not have learned a whole lot about the Wolverines in week one, sophomore LB Desmond Morgan says the Michigan players absorbed it all and will use what they learned against a pesky Air Force team.

“We learned first hand that if our discipline isn’t there, if our techniques are not there, it’s going to bite us,” said Morgan. “A team as disciplined as Air Force and as well structured as that, you definitely have to be on your toes and stay tight. I think it’s something that we learned first hand and we’re going to move forward with it.”

The Wolverines are working as a defensive unit to avoid a let down Saturday and improve on mistakes that could hurt them if continued.

“Technique and fundamentals,” said Morgan. “We’re always going to go back to it; especially when you suffer a loss like that it usually comes back to your technique and fundamentals. Stepping the right way or using your hands to get off blocks, things like that. So we’re going back to that and working on that. Once you get those down things will start swinging the other way for you.”

The Wolverines hope the scoreboard swings in their direction today at 3:30pm at the Big House.