2013 Michigan Wolverines football team

The 2013 Michigan Wolverines football team, sometimes known as Team 134 in reference to the 134-year tradition of the Michigan football program, is an American football team that will represent the University of Michigan during the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolverines play in the Legends Division of the Big Ten Conference and play their home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The team is led by head coach Brady Hoke, who is in his third season.

Preseason
The 2012 team compiled an 8–5 record under second-year head coach Brady Hoke and faced South Carolina in the Outback Bowl, losing 33–28 on a last-minute touchdown. Michigan lost four games to teams that were ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll.

Michigan returns 13 out of 22 starters — six on offense and seven on defense. Michigan will be forced to replace captains quarterback Denard Robinson and safety Jordan Kovacs, as well as starters defensive end Craig Roh, linebacker Kenny Demens, defensive tackle Will Campbell, cornerback J.T. Floyd, center Elliott Mealer, offensive guards Patrick Omameh and Ricky Barnum, long snapper Jareth Glanda, tight end Mike Kwiatkowski, and wide receiver Roy Roundtree. Back-up running back Vincent Smith also departed due to graduation. Taylor Lewan, however, decided to return for his senior season.

Recruits
Michigan's recruiting class was ranked No. 2 by Scout and No. 6 by both Rivals and ESPN. The program received 27 letters of intent on National Signing Day, February 6, 2013. On July 24, after sanctions related to the Penn State child sex abuse scandal were announced, cornerback Ross Douglas decommited from Penn State and committed to Michigan.

Rankings

 * Source: ESPN.com: 2013 NCAA Football Rankings

Radio
Radio coverage for all games will be broadcast statewide on The Michigan Wolverines Football Network and on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. The radio announcers are Frank Beckmann with play-by-play, Jim Brandstatter with color commentary, and Doug Karsch with sideline reports.

vs. Central Michigan

 * Sources:

To open the season, Michigan will face the Central Michigan Chippewas. This will be the first meeting since 2006, when the game incurred a lightning delay, which was Michigan Stadium's first ever weather delay. Michigan won that game 41–17.

vs. Notre Dame

 * Sources:

Following its game against Central, Michigan will host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Notre Dame won the previous meeting 13–6. This will be the second night game in Michigan Stadium's history; the previous game also featured Notre Dame. Tom Harmon will be honored as a Michigan football legend, and his #98 will be unretired and given to a player to be named.

vs. Akron

 * Sources:

Following the game against Notre Dame, Michigan will host the Akron Zips. This will be the first meeting between the two teams.

at Connecticut

 * Sources:

Following its meeting with Akron, Michigan will travel to East Hartford to face the Connecticut Huskies. In the previous meeting in 2010—the rededication of Michigan Stadium—Michigan defeated Connecticut 30–10.

vs. Minnesota

 * Sources:

After its trip to Connecticut, Michigan will face the Minnesota Golden Gophers. In the previous meeting, Michigan dominated Minnesota and won by a score of 35–13.

at Penn State

 * Sources:

Following its game against Minnesota, Michigan will travel to Happy Valley to face the Penn State Nittany Lions for the first time since 2010. In the previous meeting, Penn State won by a score of 31–14.

vs. Indiana

 * Sources:

After its trip to Happy Valley, Michigan will host the Indiana Hoosiers for the first time since 2009. Michigan won the previous game by a score of 42–35.

at Michigan State

 * Sources:

Following its clash with Indiana, Michigan will travel to East Lansing to face its in-state rival, the Michigan State Spartans. Michigan won the previous game 12–10 on a last second field goal from Brendan Gibbons.

vs. Nebraska

 * Sources:

After its trip to East Lansing, Michigan will host the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The previous meeting saw Michigan lose starting quarterback Denard Robinson to injury in the first half and it eventually lost the game 23–9.

at Northwestern

 * Sources:

Following its game against Nebraska, Michigan travel to Evanston to face the Northwestern Wildcats. Michigan won the previous meeting 38–31 in overtime.

at Iowa

 * Sources:

After its game against Northwestern, Michigan will complete its road portion of the schedule against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Michigan dominated the previous meeting, winning 42–17, with Devin Gardner accounting for all six of Michigan's touchdowns.

vs. Ohio State

 * Sources:

Following its road finale against Iowa, Michigan will face Ohio State in the 110th meeting of "The Game". Ohio State won the previous edition 26–21.

Roster
The preliminary roster is based on the previous season's roster and eligibility, along with incoming recruits.