2008 Michigan Wolverines Preview

After 39 seasons, three coaches, one national championship and practically four decades of Big Ten dominance, the Schembechler Empire has ended in Ann Arbor. It was an unprecedented phenomenon, to be sure. Even after he retired, after the ’89 season, Bo was able to hold sway over the U-M program, and his acolytes — first Gary Moeller and then Lloyd Carr — conducted business according to the old coach’s model. The resulting consistency and metronome-like success were unprecedented in modern college football. From 1969-2007, Michigan lost more than four games in a season twice.

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A Quick Look at the Wolverines

If the Wolverines emerged from the spring with their heads awash in details and adjustments, they shouldn’t be worried, because it was by design. Rich Rodriguez doesn’t believe in doing things slowly. The tempo must be high at all times. The offense is clearly an issue. Neither Steven Threet nor Nick Sheridan operated the attack smoothly, and the other skill position performers had problems, too. Not that Rodriguez is worried; that has been standard operating procedure at all of his previous stops. The good news is that only one senior can be found on the offensive depth chart, so this year’s learning curve could be next year’s success story. The defense has the potential to be strong, particularly up front. If the Wolverines get the type of play they expect from the front, few teams will be able to get comfortable against them. That’s imperative, since the offense will struggle. Michigan has plenty of talent on its roster, but it’s not necessarily suited for Rodriguez’s style — on either side of the ball. If the Wolverines are to be successful, they must find a way to integrate the personnel into a version of Rodriguez’s spread that can work. Things may look different in two years, but there won’t be any tolerance for a “rebuilding year” in Ann Arbor, not after 39 seasons of success.

When it came time for a change, mandated by Carr’s decision to step down following the ’07 campaign, Michigan chose not to extend the Schembechler line by hiring a former assistant or player. Nope, the school ended the reign by bringing in a true outsider, Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia native, West Virginia coach. Granted, the last time a West Virginian walked onto Michigan’s campus, Fielding Yost in 1901, things worked out pretty well (165–29–10, six national titles), but Rodriguez’s arrival at Michigan is clearly a culture shock to a program used to doing things a certain way for so long.

And Rodriguez is changing things. Out is the old, pro-style offense, with its emphasis on the power ground game and safe passes. In is the high-speed spread. Out is the classic 4-3 defense, replaced (eventually) by a 3-3-5 stack. Gone is the comfortable, “family” approach, exchanged for an aggressive, in-your-face style. Michigan may take a step back at first under Rodriguez, but there is no reason to believe the Wolverines will falter long-term. The question is how 2008’s edition will look and how quickly the program adjusts to the New Way.

Quarterbacks

The Wolverines didn’t merely lose four-year starter Chad Henne after the ’07 season. They also saw heir apparent Ryan Mallett bolt the squad, too. That makes sense, since the 6'6", 255-pounder was hardly suited for the Rodriguez spread, recognized that and left for Arkansas. No problem, provided run-pass phenom Terrelle Pryor decided to attend Michigan. Uh-oh. He didn’t, and the Wolverines were left with a problem under center. Throughout the spring, Rodriguez tried to determine whether sophomore Nick Sheridan or freshman Steven Threet, a Georgia Tech transfer, was a clear starter. When practices ended, Rodriguez still didn’t have a first-stringer. In fact, he said he wouldn’t be averse to using two quarterbacks this year. That’s never good news. Sheridan is a local kid whose dad coached at Michigan from ’02-04. His prep résumé is hardly overwhelming. Threet is a Michigan native with a strong arm, good touch on his passes and great pocket presence. He is not, however, the fastest guy around — not the best trait for a spread quarterback. Sheridan and Threet will fight it out through the fall, and both could see time on Opening Day. And each could be sitting by November if incoming freshman Justin Feagin, a true spread quarterback, can acclimate quickly.

Running backs

Even though Mike Hart and his 5,040 career yards are gone, the Wolverines are not bereft of talent here. Juniors Brandon Minor (385 yards) and Carlos Brown (382) showed the ability to carry the ball well in Hart’s stead and enter this year with the potential to be front-line backs. The key to their success is how well they can handle the spread staples, like the zone read and the option. Both have good size and some speed (Brown scored on an 85-yard run against Minnesota last year), but each has been trained in the I-formation and must make the transition. It will also be interesting to see how Kevin Grady fits into the backfield. The junior missed all of last year with a knee injury, and though he started slowly in the spring, he impressed Rodriguez with his versatility. The newcomer to watch is Sam McGuffie, a big-play Texan who rushed for 1,711 yards and 23 touchdowns in an injury-shortened senior season.

Receivers

Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington both left early for the NFL, taking their combined 139 receptions and 20 touchdowns with them. The Wolverines aren’t without options here, but there will definitely be opportunities for the three newcomers joining the fold. Junior Greg Mathews caught 39 passes last year and scored three times. He is a possession-type wideout who should be solid in the spread screen game. Junior Carson Butler caught 20 balls last year as a tight end and is listed at that position this spring, although he could be used as an H-back or in slot situations. A host of holdovers will vie for time, and in an offense that often uses four and five receivers, there is work. Toney Clemons, Junior Hemingway, LaTerryal Savoy, Jimmy Potempa and Zion Babb are all candidates and saw varying degrees of playing time last year. Among the newcomers, look out for Darryl Stonum, who graduated high school early and impressed during spring drills.

Offensive linemen

Another area in flux is up front, where three starters are gone, including NFL top draft pick Jake Long. Another, left guard/center Justin Boren, did the unthinkable and transferred to Ohio State. Picking a starting rotation won’t be easy, and don’t be surprised if a newcomer, particularly Ricky Barnum, gets plenty of opportunity. Right tackle Stephen Schilling is back to anchor the line and has a bright future. On the left side, junior Mark Ortmann has taken over at tackle. In the middle, it’s now it’s up to junior David Moosman to lead from the center position. Expect Tim McAvoy and Cory Zirbel, a pair of juniors, to handle the guard spots.

Defensive linemen

Rodriguez says there is no reason the Wolverine D shouldn’t be “dominating,” and a big reason can be found up front, where all four ’07 starters return. Since Michigan will be going to a three-man line, at least some of the time, there will be occasional changes, but expect stalwart senior tackle Terrance Taylor, who made 8.5 stops behind the line last year, to get plenty of time in the middle. Will Johnson, another senior interior force, will also figure prominently, as will ends Tim Jamison and Brandon Graham. Graham had 8.5 sacks last year, while Jamison made 10 stops behind the line.

Linebackers

There can be no minimizing the loss of outside man Shawn Crable, who led the team with 28.5 tackles behind the line last year and had 90 stops overall. But the Wolverines have talent here, most notably middle man Obi Ezeh, who made 68 tackles in ’07. As good as he was last year, Ezeh emerged from spring drills in a heated battle with senior John Thompson. Outside, senior Austin Panter, a rarity at U-M because of his junior college pedigree, has locked up the strong side, with redshirt freshman Brandon Herron in reserve. The other side isn’t so clear. Sophomores Jonas Mouton and Marell Evans are deadlocked.

Defensive backs

Both starting cornerbacks return for the Wolverines, but Michigan intercepted only 14 passes last year, and its departing safeties had three apiece. Morgan Trent and Donovan Warren bring good size to their positions, and Warren has the potential to be a special player. Trent is solid and will fight, but he is vulnerable to faster receivers. The free safety spot belongs to Stevie Brown, who made 28 tackles and had an interception in a reserve role last year. Brandon Harrison moves to strong safety from corner after making 42 stops and is in a battle with Charles Stewart. Redshirt freshman Mike Williams and sophomore Artis Chambers will also vie for time. Don’t be surprised if incoming freshman Brandon Smith, a 6'3", 210-pounder hammer, moves into the back-line rotation.

Specialists

U-M is in good shape here. Junior punter Zoltan Mesko averaged a solid 41.1 yards last year and put 22 inside opposing 20-yard lines. Placement man K.C. Lopata, a senior, converted 11-of-12 tries in ’07, although he didn’t demonstrate the strongest leg. Brown and Minor had solid, but hardly spectacular, years bringing back kicks; that’s why Harrison got a chance at the position in the spring. Warren wrested punt return duties from Mathews, who averaged 8.0 yards last year.

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