Conference Big Ten Conference 2013 record 7–6 (3–5 Big Ten) Offensive coordinator Al Borges (3rd year) | Division Legends Division Head coach Brady Hoke (3rd year) Offensive scheme Pro-style | |
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The 2013 Michigan Wolverines football team, sometimes known as Team 134 in reference to the 134-year tradition of the Michigan football program, was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan during the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolverines played in the Legends Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The team was led by head coach Brady Hoke, who was in his third season. The season ended with a record of 7–6 overall, 3–5 in conference play, and an invitation the 2013 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, where Michigan lost to Kansas State.
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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.
On March 20, the team announced that returning starting linebacker Jake Ryan suffered a torn ACL and was listed as out indefinitely. On April 1, the team announced that backup quarterback Russell Bellomy had also suffered a torn ACL and would be out indefinitely. On May 7, the team announced that punter Will Hagerup had been reinstated to the team following a suspension for a violation of team rules, but would sit out the season. On August 21, the team announced that wide receiver Amara Darboh would miss the season with a foot injury.
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, 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, No. 5 by Rivals, and No. 6 by ESPN. The program received 27 letters of intent on National Signing Day, February 6, 2013.
Rankings
Michigan began the season ranked No. 17 in both the AP and Coaches' Polls, and remained there following its week one victory over Central Michigan. Michigan rose to No. 11 in the AP Poll and No. 12 in the Coaches' Poll after its victory over Notre Dame, but fell to No. 15 in the AP Poll and No. 14 in the Coaches' Poll following its narrow victory over Akron, and then fell again to No. 18 in the AP Poll and No. 17 in the Coaches' Poll following its narrow victory over Connecticut.
*Source: ESPN.com: 2013 NCAA Football Rankings
Schedule
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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. This was Beckmann's 32nd and final season in the Michigan press box; he retired from sportscasting afterward.
Depth chart
Starters and backups against Central Michigan. Following Drake Johnson's season-ending injury against Central Michigan, Derrick Green replaced him as the backup running back, while Thomas Rawls replaced Justice Hayes as the third-string running back.
Awards
Fifth-year senior offensive tackle Taylor Lewan earned his second consecutive and Michigan's third consecutive Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year award and tight end Devin Funchess was selected as the Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year. Lewan earned first-team All-Big Ten Conference recognition from both the coaches and the media, while Funchess and Blake Countess were All-Conference first team by the media and second-team honors by the coaches. Jeremy Gallon was a second team selection by both the coaches and the media, while Frank Clark was recognized as second-team by the coaches and honorable mention by the media. Other honorable mention selections were Jibreel Black (coaches and media), Devin Gardner, Brendan Gibbons and Raymon Taylor (media) and Michael Schofield (coaches). Following the season Gallon was selected team MVP.
Lewan was a first team All-American selection by Sporting News, a second team selection by the Associated Press, CBSSports.com, Walter Camp Football Foundation, Sports Illustrated and a third team selection by Athlon Sports. Countess, Funchess and Gallon were honorable mention selections by Sports Illustrated.
2014 NFL Draft
In addition to the drafted players both Thomas Gordon (New York Giants) and Fitzgerald Toussaint (Baltimore Ravens) signed contracts as undrafted free agents.