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2010 Michigan Wolverines preview
It’s a make-or-break year in Ann Arbor for Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez as the Wolverines enter off a 5-7 record and just one win in the Big Ten in 2009 (and five total in two seasons). Remember, this team was 4-0 and 1-0 in the Big Ten and had entered the Top 25 but then could only beat Delaware State the rest of the season. If the Wolverines somehow miss a bowl game again, Rodriguez, especially after the NCAA found some violations in the program, will be a goner. The Wolverines are +1200 to win the Big Ten on WagerWeb.com’s betting odds.
This year likely comes down to quarterback play in Rodriguez’s spread offense. Denard Robinson, arguably the fastest QB in the nation, closed the gap with returning starter Tate Forcier and put on a show in the spring game, leading many to believe he may win the No. 1 job this fall. Robinson completed just 14-of-31 last season for 188 yards, with two touchdowns and four picks last year. He ran for 351 yards and five touchdowns in spot duty as a freshman.
In 2008, Michigan had the worst offense in the Big Ten (290.8 ypg). Last season, the attack ranked seventh (384.5 ypg). Expect this season’s offense to be the best yet under Rodriguez. Plus players will be comfortable in the system and there’s more talent on offense than during Rodriguez’s first two years.
The defense was a weak point last year and lost one of the nation’s most disruptive defenders in Brandon Graham, who recorded 26 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two blocked kicks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown last season. The Wolverines allowed 393.3 yards per game last season, the worst showing in program history. The defensive line still looks like a strength led by nose tackle Mike Martin, who had 51 tackles, 8.5 for loss, despite often inviting double teams last year. The big change is the installation of a 3-3-5 scheme that Rodriguez employed at West Virginia. With two safeties typically playing near the line of scrimmage, Michigan usually will have eight men in the box.
Top returners: QB Tate Forcier, QB Denard Robinson, WR Roy Roundtree, C David Molk, LG Stephen Schilling, CB Troy Woolfolk, LB/DE Craig Roh, NT Mike Martin
Key losses: RB Carlos Brown, RB Brandon Minor, C/G David Moosman, DE Brandon Graham, CB Donovan Warren, LB/S Stevie Brown, P Zoltan Mesko
Predicted 2010 record: 8-4
Sept. 4 Connecticut
Sept. 11 at Notre Dame
Sept. 18 Massachusetts
Sept. 25 Bowling Green
Oct. 2 at Indiana
Oct. 9 Michigan State
Oct. 16 Iowa
Oct. 23 Open
Oct. 30 at Penn State
Nov. 6 Illinois
Nov. 13 at Purdue
Nov. 20 Wisconsin
Nov. 27 at Ohio State Bet on Michigan futures at WagerWeb.com
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