First Look: Michigan Wolverines

You won’t find a more intriguing story line for 2008 outside of Michigan. Last season was considered by many to be a complete disaster, but lost in the mix were some very impressive highlights. The program is going into overhaul mode, with new uniforms, a new stadium, and most noticeably, a brand-spanking-new head coach in Rich Rodriguez. The offense will look vastly different than anything run in Michigan Stadium in the last, well, ever. The fans are preparing themselves for a worst-case scenario in 2008, but they shouldn’t worry too much. After all, this is Michigan, and even with all the problems, there are enough players to make this season at least palatable, if not surprising. I hate when people say “I can see this team going anywhere from [insert really bad record here] to [insert really good record here],” but in 2008, Michigan can only be labeled as completely unpredictable.

1. The “Snake Oil Salesman” -- Remember how pissed off Kirk Herbstreit was when Les Miles denied his interest in the Michigan coaching job? I’d be. Well folks, that was just the beginning, as no one could have predicted the firestorm coming when Rich Rodriguez shocked his alma mater and left West Virginia (60-26 record, 2 BCS bowl wins) in a cloak of secrecy for Ann Arbor. Any coach in the nation should be afraid to face RichRod on the field, but he’s never been so vulnerable as right now. Defections, staff shakeups and the graduation (and NFL Draft-entering) of some of the best talent this team had, will cause more than headaches in 2008. I don’t want to imagine how scary Michigan will be a few years from now. It could even happen next year, but for 2008, RichRod could lose some of his luster.

2. Starting from scratch -- Losing the career record-holders in passing AND rushing yards wouldn’t look good for this team even if Ryan Mallett (No. 1 recruit ’07) hadn’t transferred to Arkansas. Adding to Michigan’s stress is the mishaps of running back Kevin Grady, who didn’t know when to say “when,” and will most likely be in the dog house for the rest of this season. That leaves a very green running back contingent, but one that’s bursting with potential. Stepping in where Mallett should have been is probably Steven Threet. Although not as hyped as Mallett, Threet has great size (6’6”, 230) and has better mobility that Mallett. The defense loses its top four tacklers (358 total tackles), but the line returns intact and should take some pressure off the back seven. There are enough leaders on this side of the ball to keep things under control in 2008.

3. No more “Big House” -- Ok Michigan, you can still keep “The Big House” nickname, but you’re no longer the “biggest” house. Several thousand seats were removed from Michigan Stadium for renovations (actually, UM was sued because the stadium hasn’t been updated since the Ice Age, and didn’t have enough handicapped seating/accessibility). Unfortunately for the Wolverines, most of the toughest games come on the road, outside the friendly confines of Ann Arbor. However, opening with Utah, at Notre Dame, Wisconsin and Illinois won’t be an easy slate. Then, finishing out the season with trips to Penn State, Purdue, Minnesota and Ohio State, with home games against Michigan State and Northwestern sprinkled in, will present a formidable challenge for a Michigan team that could be looking for a break. With this schedule, even one key injury could spell disaster.

Next week’s First Look: Ohio State Buckeyes

-First Look: Wisconsin Badgers
-First Look: Purdue Boilermakers
-First Look: Illinois Fighting Illini
-First Look: Temple Owls
-First Look: Syracuse Orange(men)
-First Look: Oregon State Beavers
-First Look: Coastal Carolina Chanticleers