Preview 2013: Wrap

Okay, Eleven Warriors, okay.

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Well. It's done. This year's edition checks in at 41,191 words. If you had that in the pool, congratulations.

THE STORY: ALL TOGETHER NOW

After a decade trying to find itself, Michigan points itself to the future, united.

OFFENSE

Quarterback: I believe in Devin Gardner, so hard.

Running back: Also Fitz Toussaint. Not so much the other veterans, but have I told you about freshmen? They're all right at tailback.

Wide receiver: Yeah, they're short. So? They're damn good.

Tight end and friends: a panoply of blocky-catchy guys featuring one Devin Funchess, larger and ready to bust out.

Offensive line: It's like Ohio: rather good at the edge, increasingly depressing as you approach the center.

Questions and answers: Borges isn't perfect but he's probably good enough; reiterating Gardner squee.

DEFENSE

Defensive ends: I do not think Frank Clark is going to be an all-wrecking force. Better, sure.

Defensive tackle: All hail QWASH. Three-tech dodgy, but deep.

Linebacker: If Ryan is Ryan, these guys will be lights out.

Cornerback: War daddy up, Mr. Countess.

Safety: Thomas Gordon, and then… well… hmm.

Questions and answers: Novacs, mitigating that, the importance of hybrid space players, serenity?

MISCELLANEOUS

Special teams: a major strength if Michigan can just block and cover guys.

Podcast 5.0: Almost two hours of erudite chatter about socialism in the 19th century.

Heuristics and stupid prediction: Turnovers should be much better, only position shifts that are ominous at safety, 10-2 asserted.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN

Previewed by Ace.

ELSEWHERE

Orson's season kickoff: "THE BUSINESS OF PROTECTION."

Holdin' The Rope: "Beginnings"

TEAM SPECIFIC HYPE

College football is a dichotomy of change and sameness. The players turn over at an alarming rate, even the most precocious slipping through our fingers almost before we've met them. But every year there's a Saturday where 110,000 file into a stadium Fielding Yost built, survey their view, hear the band, see the helmets, and think to themselves it's still here. All of it is still here. Thank God.

Life decays us all; the team is forever.

Go Blue.