2008 Michigan Wolverines
Written June 10, 2008 by Jason Lowry
The NCAA football season is just around the corner and its time for Jason Lowry to make his 2008 Michigan Wolverines football predictions. With so much happening year in and year out we will take a look at both sides of the ball for this team before we go predicting their future. The big news is of course the departure of Lloyd Carr at head coach and the beginning of new era with West Virginia’s former coach Rick Rodriquez. With many players not fit for Rodriquez’s new system. The biggest loss could be future star Ryan Mallet at quarterback, as he decided it would be better to sit out a year and transfer to Arkansas. The team still returns 13 starters on a team that went 9-4 overall and 6-2 in the Big 10, but will likely struggle filling the holes left by QB Chad Henne, RB Mike Hart, OT Jake Long, WR Adrian Arrington, and WR Mario Manningham.
Offense:
This unit will likely be a unit to cause chaos in the Big 10 in a couple years when Rodriquez is able to bring in the players he wants. As for this season this could be a tough one for this unit that returns just 3 starters from a year ago. It looks as though redshirt freshman Steven Threet looks to be the future at quarter back, but don’t expect him to come in and be great right away. It looks like the team will use a trio of running backs that include Brandon Minor, Kevin Grady, and Carlos Brown. The team is going to be very inconsistent, as they only return Stephen Schilling at the right tackle spot. At receiver the leading guy will be junior Greg Mathews who caught 37 passes a year ago. As of now it looks like sophomores Junior Hemingway and Toney Clemons hold down the other two starting spots.
Defense:
If this team is going to win games this year, it will be because of this side of the ball. The defense must be the heart and soul of this team. It brings back 8 starters from a unit that 24th overall just a year ago. Obi Ezeh has the makings at middle linebacker to be something special and will get plenty of help from a defensive line that brings back all 4 starters. At the defensive end spots Brandon Graham and Tim Jamison combined for 14 sacks last season. A duo of senior tackles in Terrance Taylor and Will Johnson both should be very solid and help improve on a team that was 58th against the rush. The secondary was lights out last season as it ranked 8th against the pass, and bring back 3 starters including corners Donovan Warren and Morgan Trent. There is a lot of talk that Stevie Brown could be a big time playmaker at the free safety spot.
Prediction: 6th in the Big 10
If it weren’t for the defense being so good, we would probably have this team even lower than what it is. While the Wolverines will likely pull off some upsets and could do so as early as Sept. 27 when they host Wisconsin, the inexperience at offense will likely limit this team to about 7 wins.
Professional handicapper Jason Lowry continues to make his way through some of the best teams and conferences in the country with team-by-team previews. If you are looking to get a head start on the football betting season get over to BetUS.com today.