First Look '09: Michigan Wolverines

Michigan. There might not be a single team in the history of American athletics that symbolizes a sport more than the Wolverines. (Ok, maybe the Yankees and Notre Dame) However, in 2008, the pillar of college football came crashing down, as Michigan went a paltry 3-9, suffering some of its worst ever defeats along the way. Now, it's up to the returning players, sophomore head coach, and a loyal fanbase to start to rebuild.

This series has given Penn State fans something of a headache for more than a decade, even with last year's blowout win for the Lions. But what do we really know about the 2009 Wolverines? Let's find out, in today's First Look.

The Rod - Like him personally or not, Rich Rodriguez can coach. From his days as a Tulane coordinator, to building West Virginia into a national power, RichRod has proven his ability to produce winning teams. Most will look at the 3-9 record from last season as just part of a process. After all, Rodriguez went 3-8 in his first year at West Virginia, going 9-4 the following season in Morgantown. The Wolverines could very well get to a bowl game next season.

While most observers (and some UM fans) chuckled at the announcement that fired Syracuse HC Greg Robinson would become Michigan's DC, the unit could see an immediate boost under his leadership. Robinson has two Super Bowl rings, and a Rose Bowl ring. The OC is Calvin Magee, who produced the last three offenses for Rodriguez at West Virginia. This is one of the best combination of coordinators in the nation.

Nowhere to go - ... but up, right? Well, sort of. Michigan has 10 returning starters on offense this season, but only five on a defense that wasn't very good in 2008. The only new starter on offense will be projected starting QB Tate Forcier, as all other skill players, and the entire offensive line returns intact. Turnovers (-10) were a major factor in Michigan's offensive woes in '08, so with more experience returning, look for a much better year on this side of the ball.

On defense, it could be a different story. The 2008 defense wasn't the worst in the league, but it had a lot of trouble against teams with a pulse. Star DE Brandon Graham returns (10 sks), but the defensive line as a whole was demolished this offseason. Add that to a severely depleted secondary, and opposing offenses could put up big numbers through the air against this defense. Robinson has installed a 3-4 base defense for 2009, to compensate for the losses up front. However, it could be problematic overall to make the switch.

Home sweet home - In 2008, Michigan had to host eventual No. 2 (only undefeated team in nation) Utah in the opener, travel to Notre Dame, Penn State and Ohio State. This season, all of those away games will be in the Big House. Even though Illinois, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Iowa all get the Wolverines at home, they aren't the toughest teams on the docket.

Opening with Western Michigan, Notre Dame, Eastern Michigan and Indiana all at home, Michigan has a great shot to go 4-0 to open, before heading to East Lansing and Iowa City. Plus, hosting Delaware State before Penn State's visit, Michigan's record could be as good as 5-2 or 6-1 before the Lions. The last four games are at Illinois, home against Purdue, at Wisconsin and home for the big one against Ohio State.

Don't be surprised if Michigan ends up easily bowl bound this season with more than seven or eight wins.

From enemy territory: This week, Brad from Maize n Blue Nation was kind enough to talk a bit about the '09 Wolverines.

What's one positive about this year's Wolverines?

MBN: Well, I guess just having a chance to wash the taste of 3-9 out our mouths is as big of a positive as we can ask for going into 2009. But that's really not such a positive as it is just something that MUST happen. For this squad, the biggest positive is that these players (most importantly the offense) has had another year to learn and adapt to this system under Rodriguez. The spread-option was long considered a huge mystery around Ann Arbor, so for a coach to waltz into town and try and implement this system is a drastic undertaking.

But, as most know, Rodriguez's second season's are historically far more impressive than his firsts. And much of that has to do with just getting players used to moving and reacting to this style. That's not something you can just teach, it has to be ingrained into the mindset of each player on the team. It's getting players to stop thinking, and just react. And that takes time. Expecting every guy to pick it up in 1 year is just not realistic. It's having another year of training these players under this system where it really starts to pay off.

What's one negative about this year's Wolverines?

MBN: Easy. For the 2nd straight season, we have two totally untested QB's as our front runner's the for the starting job. Last year it was sophomore walk-on Nick Sheridan and freshman transfer Steven Threet. We all know how well that worked. This year, it's true freshmen Tate Forcier (For-See-AY)...who enrolled early in January, and incoming freshman Denard Robinson.

The big bonus for 09 is that both guys have been hand-picked by Rodriguez and QB coach Rod Smith to come in and run this system. Last year Rodriguez inherited Sheridan/Threet, neither of which were adequately equipped to handle this style of offense. Odds are Tate Forcier is going to get the start on Sept. 5th. Enrolling early and getting all of the spring reps was a huge advantage for him. But Rodriguez has said that it's still any one's race...so I expect both to see game time early in the season.

Both kids were very highly rated coming out of high school, so expectations are enormous...but they're still totally untested. So that position remains the biggest liability for this team.

Name something most casual fans might not know about this year's Wolverines.

MBN: Well, I guess the biggest thing most casual fans don't know is what to expect. I mean 2008 really screwed up the casual fan base for this football team. 3-9 just ain't the kinda thing that happens 'round here. So I think most fans are just concerned that 2009 could turn out the same way.

Those fans who follow more closely see the improvements being made and see the caliber of talent that is coming in to run this newfangled spread...so we're less weary. Although I still have to manage my expectations. My hope is for a bowl game at the end of the year. Somewhere in the 6-8 wins range probably a good mindset to have. We do have a new QB...but we also have 10 starters back on offense. And aside from the gutted interior defensive line, that side of the ball should show some improvement as well. We're not going to contend for the Big Ten title, but we may pull a couple surprise wins out of nowhere.

And one more thing that the casual fan surely does not know, but will...is that Zoltan Mesko is a Space Emperor (of space).

For more on Michigan:

Michigan's stadium renovations
Michigan 2009 Schedule
Complete Spring Game Coverage
First Look '08: Michigan

More from First Look '09:

Minnesota Golden Gophers
Eastern Illinois Panthers
Illinois Fighting Illini
Iowa Hawkeyes
Temple Owls
Syracuse Orange
Akron Zips