Michigan vs. Western Michigan Game Guide: Starting Lineups, Matchup Breakdown

The time has finally come, Michigan fans. After a long off-season, the Brady Hoke era is set to begin.

Tomorrow the Michigan Wolverines take on the Western Michigan Broncos in Ann Arbor. There are big expectations for this Michigan team coming off a sub-par season and a 7-6 record.

This is the second time in the last three years that Michigan has opened the season against the Broncos. In 2009, Michigan beat Western Michigan 31-7.

Here are your starting lineups, injury report, and match up breakdown for the Michigan vs Western Michigan game.

Head coach Brady Hoke has been going back and forth with the depth chart throughout the week, so who knows what's actually going to happen by the time the game arrives.

Michael Shaw and Fitzgerald Toussaint are going to be splitting carries. Shaw was named the starter earlier in the week, but lately shares the number one spot on the depth chart with Toussaint.

Sophomore safety Thomas Gordan has earned a starting spot in which was probably the most surprising of all. Gordan played in nine games last year, recording 23 tackles and two sacks. Jordan Kovacs has earned the other starting safety spot.

Linebacker Mike Jones will join sophomore Cam Gordan and junior Kenny Demens as the starters.

There are no surprises at the offensive line, as it consists of Taylor Lewan, Ricky Barnum, David Molk, Patrick Omameh and Mark Huyge.

Cornerbacks J.T. Floyd and Courtney Avery continue to battle for the starting spot opposite Troy Woolfolk. Although it looks like Floyd will probably get the job based off of his experience.

The kicking duties consist of sophomore Brendan Gibbons doing extra points and as the primary field goal kicker, and freshman Matt Wile on long field goals (over 43 or 44 yards), kickoffs and punts.

Junior quarterback Alex Carder remains the starter after having a solid sophomore season in which he threw for over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. 

Robert Arnheim, Ansel Ponder, and Jordan White are the starting wide receivers. White received a sixth year of eligibility and had over 90 receptions, over 1,000 receiving yards and seven 100-yard games a season ago.

Senior Mitch Zajac starts at linebacker and is the leader of the defense as he led the team with 97 tackles last season.

The other best defensive players who will be available for the Broncos on Saturday are defensive ends Drew Nowak and Paul Hazel, free safety Doug Wiggins, and CB Lewis Toler.

Michigan

Out for the year are tight end Chris Barnett, offensive lineman Tony Posada, and wide receivers Je'Ron Stokes, Darryl Stonum and DJ Williamson.

Out for this game are wide receiver Terrence Robinson and punter Will Hagerup. 

Western Michigan

Out for the year are offensive lineman Michael Liedtke, long snapper Michael Famiglietti, and center Pat Driscoll.

Players who won't be playing in this game are center Kevin Galeher and defensive end Woody Legrier.

Offensive guard Greg Peterson is questionable with an ankle injury.

Michigan goes as far as quarterback Denard Robinson takes them.

So the first and obvious key to upset Michigan is to go straight for the head and try your best to contain Robinson. You're never going to completely stop him, but if you can contain him and force him to throw, you have a chance.

Western Michigan needs to develop some type of running game, as well.

Running backs Brian Fields and Tevin Drake should split carries this season and they didn't do that bad at all last season. Drake rushed for 405 yards on 40 touches and Fields ran for 362 yards on 56 carries. That's about as solid as it gets.

If the Broncos can run the ball well and manage the clock they'll have a chance. If not, they become one-dimensional and will more than likely lose.

There's no way you can pick against the Michigan Wolverines in this game.

Western Michigan has some solid pieces with an improved defense and underrated quarterback in Alex Carder, and with the running game stepping up they could make some noise in the MAC this year.

But this is Michigan's opening weekend and it's in the big house. I just can't see it happening.

Michigan wins 37-23