2008 Preview: Michigan

With the PSU previews out of the way, we thought it'd be a good idea to move on to all the other teams in the Big11Ten. Odds are we won't finish these before the season starts but hey, we're trying.

Here's Michigan to start things off.

2007: 9-4 (6-2), Defeated Florida in the Capital One Bowl

It seems like it’s been forever since Penn State last beat Michigan. They were the one team that marred our stellar record in 2005, they nearly killed two of our quarterbacks in 2006, and last year they managed to squeak out an extremely underwhelming game.

With that being said, if there was ever a year to break this losing streak, this is the one.

Let’s start by taking a look at some names for Michigan: Chad Henne, Mike Hart, Mario Manningham, Jake Long, Adrian Arrington, Ryan Mallett, Shawn Crable, Adam Kraus, Justin Boren.

No, those aren’t the key performers for this Wolverines squad, they’re the guys who are gone.

That is, of course, quite a list. And it leaves Michigan in quite a hole, as the team returns only three starters on offense, and seven on defense. Now, this sort of thing happens all the time, and as an opponent, you have to take advantage while you can. But what makes this rebuilding year even more difficult for the Big Blue is the fact new coach and resident a-hole Rich Rodriguez is coming to town, and he’s bringing his spread offense with him.

We feel dirtier just having him in the conference.

No matter how crappy it may be for the players, the fans, or the school itself, this season is all about Rodriguez and his new schemes. Of course, he’s going to get a bit of a pass for this season because of his relative lack of talent, but it should be interesting to see how his more progressive offensive system will fit in the conservative Big11Ten. But it’s not going to be easy for him. It’s enough that Michigan is already a big time school with a target on its back. It doesn’t help the team’s chances that most of the coaches in the conference hate Rich Rod already and will be circling their respective dates with Michigan on their mental calendars.

But enough talk about the coach, let’s have a look at the guys who will actually be doing the work on the field this year, if and when we can find any that we’ve ever heard of.

The Wolverines’ offense could go through some serious growing pains this year. There are three quarterbacks in the mix this season, but none is above the sophomore level. The projected starter is redshirt freshman Steven Threet. Here’s what we know about Threet………. yep, that’s about it. Actually, Threet is 6’6”, 230, and is more of a pocket passer. Given that knowledge, we could see some of freshman Justin Feagin, who fits better in the spread.

Is this guy Michigan's QB? Could be, how the hell would we know?

Of course, all of this is contingent upon the QBs not getting killed. Michigan’s offensive line will be shaky at best, as it returns only one starter, sophomore Steve Schilling. Good luck with us and Ohio State, fellas.

The backfield might be a high point for the team this year, as it returns junior running back Brandon Minor, who had 429 yards filling in for Mike Hart at various points last year. The receiving corps is depleted after the loss of Manningham and Arrington, but junior Greg Matthews and junior tight end Carson Butler were the third and fourth options last year and will try to pick up the slack. Michigan also has a duo of talented freshman receivers (Daryl Stonum and Terrence Robinson) looking to make an impact.

On the defensive side of the ball things are much more solid. Michigan returns all four defensive lineman, with tackle Terrence Taylor (yay alliteration!) anchoring the line. Taylor had 8.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks last year.

The linebackers will have to fill two spots behind returning starter Obi Ezeh (5th on the team in tackles), but the team’s cornerback duo of Morgan Trent and Donavan Warren combine to form a quick yet hard-hitting defensive backfield.

So how will the Wolverines fare this year? The media have given us all a non-committal picture so far (imagine that). At first, most talking heads were ripping Michigan’s chances. Then, as if they all got bored, everyone seemed to say, “Not so fast, this team could be decent.” There’s a happy medium in there, and it’s something we like to use, if only from time to time.

It’s called common sense.

Basically, we feel that while defense is the foundation of everything in the Big11Ten, when you’ve lost so many key pieces and have only one returning starter on your o-line, it’s bad times ahead. Throw in a new coach and a new system, and things probably aren’t going your way.

Our prediction for Michigan this season: 5-7 (3-5 Big11Ten).