The Wolverines will be one of the surprise teams this season. They’ll have a defense that almost can’t help but get better after last season, and they’ll have quarterback Denard Robinson.  The reason that Michigan-Michigan State made the list is because by the time Michigan-Ohio State rolls around, Michigan won’t be a surprise. The Wolverines might well be the favorite, depending on how Ohio State fares with a new quarterback and under a new coach.

Michigan faded last year after a 5-0 start and Robinson got a lot of the blame. His two worst passing games were in the big rivalry games. He threw three picks against Michigan State. He was generally ineffective against Ohio State, though he ran for 105 yards.

New Michigan coach Brady Hoke has moved Robinson under center. Robinson’s rushing stats may not be as gaudy as when he ran out of the spread, but he will be deadly scrambling. (Think Vince Young against USC.) The more traditional offense will give more running backs more work and allow the  Wolverines to hold the ball longer, which should help improve their real weakness: They ranked 108th last season in points allowed.

Miami over Florida State Nov. 12:  Florida State is back. The Seminoles are on a lot of short lists as a national championship contender. You know the history in this game. How about one more frustrating loss to the U, just for old times’ sake?

UCLA over USC Nov.
26: Sometimes it comes down to motivation. UCLA will have a lot more to play for. The Bruins will be playing to:

• save Coach Rick Neuheisel’s job or
• become bowl eligible or
• to get to a better bowl or
• even get to the Pac-12 title game.

USC, a team loaded with talent, will be playing out a long season in which NCAA punishment means there will be no postseason goodies.

Clemson over South Carolina, Nov. 26. Is there such thing as a trap game? Is there such thing as a trap game in a rivalry? Especially one as intense as “The Battle for the Palmetto State,” where even on the rare occasion when both teams are cruddy, the game is played before packed house? If such a thing exists, this is the scenario for it. South Carolina, with a second straight berth in the SEC title game assured, gets caught looking ahead. Just a bit. Just enough. Clemson has a new offensive coordinator with a new offensive philosophy and a new quarterback. The Tigers may struggle a bit on offense early in the season. But by late November, expect signal-caller Tahj Boyd and Chad Morris to be on the same page with a hurry-up attack. Clemson always has strong defenses. This one, anchored by defensive linemen Andre Branch and Brandon Thompson, should continue the trend.

Auburn over Alabama Nov. 26: Things haven’t gone that well for the Tigers since winning the national title in January. There was the HBO report during which former players said they got paid (with nothing really to back the claims). Auburn lost the sweepstakes for N.C. State transfer Russell Wilson. The beloved oak trees at Toomer’s Corner were poisoned. An Alabama fan is on trial for the deed. What better way to end a BCS title hangover than pounding Alabama in the Iron Bowl?

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