2010 NCAA Football Preview: Michigan
The Michigan Wolverines are one of the most historic and successful teams in college football. However, recent years have seen the Wolverines do little that could be considered historic and definitely not much that could be called success.
When Rich Rodriquez took over for long-time coach Lloyd Carr there were many that felt that the Wolverines would not miss a beat. Under Carr the team had won five conference titles, been a regular participant in bowl games, and won a national title once.
The Rich-Rodriguez-led Wolverines have not done nearly as well. In two seasons, he has managed to win just eight games, four each season. The team has had trouble executing his spread offense and the defense has not faired any better.
Going into his third season, Rodriguez will have somewhat of a target on his back. When you coach a team that is accustomed to winning, you need to do just that. In college, it is generally understood that a coach often needs a couple of seasons to recruit his own players in order to do what he needs to. Rodriguez has had that now. With 14 returning starters in 2010 it is safe to say that if the Wolverines are not in a bowl game that Rodriguez may be looking for a job.
Offense
In Rodriguez’s first season the Wolverines had the worst offense in the Big Ten with less than 300 yards a game. Last year they improved to 7th in the conference with almost an additional 100 yards a game (384.5).
This season should see the unit vastly improved from 2009. The success will start and end with the players they have returning on the front line. Not all-conference players were on the squad last year, but senior guard Stephen Schilling could very well be one. Along with his center, David Molk, the Wolverines should see some success running inside and in giving the quarterback a pocket to step up into. Redshirt freshman Taylor Lewan could take over the open spot at tackle.
Where the team may hurt is in the skill positions. The quarterback’s job appears to be up for grabs between last year’s starter (as a true freshman) Tate Forcier, sophomore Denard Robinson, or possibly Devin Gardner. Forcier did not do bad last year completing 58% of his passes for 2050 yards, but his performance is not exactly good either. The team would hope to see some early improvement from him if he gets the starting nod on opening day.
No running back had more than 100 carries last season; Forcier actually had the most runs with 118. There is potential among the receivers returning, but none of it has much game time experience.
Defense
On defense, the Wolverines will be hoping that with experience will be improved play. However, with the implementation of a new defense, a 3-3-5 scheme similar to what Rodriguez once used at West Virginia, there will be some growing pains for a unit that was already not that good (9th in the conference in 2009).
The young defensive line may be the strong point for the unit in 2010. Two starters return in Mike Martin and Ryan Van Bergen, both juniors. Martin was the team’s best tackle in 2009 with 51 tackles. He could find himself shifting to the outside or losing time to sophomore William Campbell. The 6’5” 318 pound Campbell could be a great plug against the run, something the team was not very good at stopping last season (91st in nation; 10th in conference).
A big part of the new defensive scheme will have the safeties playing up by the line of scrimmage often in order to stop the run. That will put a lot of pressure on the returning duo of Jordan Kovacs and Mike Williams. Those two could lose time to a receiver turned defensive back, Cam Gordon or incoming freshman Thomas Gordon.
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