ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Despite what ESPN's FPI says about Michigan football's schedule, as it doesn't play in the SEC, it's among the most difficult, if not the most difficult, in college football.
Like rival Ohio State, the Wolverines face six teams ranked in the preseason top 25, including Oklahoma, Iowa, Penn State, Indiana, Oregon, and then the Buckeyes. Michigan is listed as having the 16th-hardest schedule, despite facing four teams in the top 10 (Arkansas is listed as having the hardest schedule, facing seven top 25 teams, but just three preseason top 25 teams).
Regardless, it's a difficult slate, but senior team captain Trey Pierce says that the defensive line is embracing the challenge.
"We have a gauntlet. We've got some good O-linemen.
We've got some good O-lines coming in," Pierce said. "We're going to go see some good O-lines. We're going to have to bring it every week. Coach Black is preparing us for that. I think he's doing a good job."
Rod Moore is entering his third year as team captain and his sixth year of college football, and he's not shying away from anything. In fact, while many would prefer to have an easier go of things this fall, Moore is not in that camp, enjoying the fact that the maize and blue will have to constantly prove themselves against fierce competition.
"I love this schedule," Moore said. "I have it on my phone screen, and I have maybe about eight of the games, I have a money bag next to it. And it tells me those are the games that you've got to perform in. And the team has to win, and the team has to perform great and to do what we set out to do.
"So, I mean, there's a whole bunch of opportunity for us to go be great. And I just can't wait. We start off with Western Michigan, and it's a big one Week 2, and then after that."
That Week 2 contest will be against Oklahoma, ranked by the US LBM Coaches Poll as the ninth-best team in the country. Michigan also has to face No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Oregon, No. 6 Indiana, No. 17 Penn State, and No. 22 Iowa.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan players embrace a brutal schedule
