Every week AnnArbor.com sports writers Dave Birkett and Mike Rothstein preview Michigan's upcoming game. With Delaware State on tap this weekend, they take a look back at Michigan's 4-2 start.

Michael Rothstein: So, Dave, does anyone really care about this game? I know I'm going to be more interested in Texas-Oklahoma, especially late. Why Michigan scheduled this game is up for debate as well, as Delaware State is a bad, bad FCS team. But, it does leave for some interesting midseason conversation. I know we hit a lot of stuff earlier this week, but besides Tate Forcier, who is one player that surprised you this year thus far?

Dave Birkett: First, no, no one really cares about this game. I thought about mailing in our For Argument's Sake this week, but we do that anyway, so this shouldn't be any different. Second, money. That's why this game is scheduled. Michigan can pay half a mil for a win - less than it paid Eastern to drive down the road - and still pocket a pretty penny from the gate. Third, besides Forcier, the two players who've surprised me the most are members of that much-maligned defense. Donovan Warren is a better cornerback than I thought. Even when he got beat a few times last week, he was right on the receiver's hip. And Stevie Brown has settled in nicely at outside linebacker. Not sure if he's a better fit for that position, or if he's just the best of a unit that's really struggled this year.

MR: I agree on Stevie Brown. He's played much better than I think many people thought he would. He'd probably be my biggest surprise, along with Craig Roh. A true freshman in his position usually has some major growing pains, but he's handled himself well. It probably means one of two things: Either he's going to be a complete stud by his junior year or he's tapped out at his potential and will be a good starter for a few years. I'm thinking it'll be of the stud variety. Also Darryl Stonum. He's handled things really well returning kicks. Not as sold as you on Donovan Warren. I really believe Iowa's offensive coordinator must have seen something they could pick on with Warren, because they went at him a lot. A large part of why teams threw away from Warren was because of the struggles on the other side at corner. It'll be curious to see what Penn State does next weekend. What's been the biggest negative surprise for you this season? For me, it has been the play of the linebackers. They just don't seem like they have gotten much better from a year ago. Maybe that's scheme adjustment but part of it has to do with coaching, desire and talent level as well, I'd think.

DB: Can I pick the whole defense as the biggest downer of the first half? Brandon Graham, Roh and the rest of the line's played well, but beyond that - ugh. Michigan's last in the Big Ten against the pass, near the bottom of the league against the run, and if they published stats on stopping third-and-longs they'd be atrocious in that, too. The offensive line's been hit and miss, but I chalk some of that up to injury. Of course, if Delaware State gets loose this weekend, then you know we've got some real problems.

MR: You can pick whatever you want, boss. Much like I'm picking Delaware State on Saturday. ... Just...kidding. Michigan in a romp, 45-3. Delaware State's band, though, crushes Michigan's in the halftime performance. That might be what I'm looking forward to the most Saturday, at least from UM-Del. State. By the way, did you know that Brandon Graham didn't even make any of Phil Steele's three midseason All-Big Ten teams? Really. I was pretty surprised about that. As for other games I'd rather be at Saturday, I like Oklahoma to pick off Texas in Dallas and, I've been battling this one, but USC to barely, barely, barely beat Notre Dame in South Bend.

DB: Graham's getting the shaft. He was left off Lombardi Award midseason list, too. Dude's a stud. And you're a Notre Dame homer, or so the e-mailers tell me. USC in a romp. OK, not a romp, but Trojans by 10. Charlie hasn't beat anyone halfway decent yet. Texas is staying undefeated, too. And Michigan, do you even have to ask? Denard Robinson leads a Wolverines' romp, 42-7, and Michigan finishes the season with eight wins, too.