2009 College Football Odds: The Rich Rodriguez era got off to an inauspicious start last season as he guided the Wolverines to a 3-9 record. The sub .500 tally marked the first time in 40 years that Michigan did not have a winning season. The Wolverine faithful are hoping for a quick turnaround as Rodriguez has now had almost two years to recruit players for his spread offensive system. Football oddsmakers at BetUS.com appear to like the coaches chances of at least notching a few more marks in the win column as the over 6 on the Wolverines season win total is coming in at -200 moneyline odds.
Michigan recruits from the Lloyd Carr regime did not take well to Rich Rodriguez' spread offensive attack last year. The team produced a pathetic 20.3 points per game and an equally wretched 291 yards per contest. Quarterbacks Steven Threet and Nick Sheridan combined to throw for 1718 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while Brandon Minor lead the team in rushing with just 533 net yards.
Threet transferred to Arizona State in the Spring and Rodriguez added two superstar recruits in Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson. The two true freshmen will likely battle it out for the starting quarterback spot while Sheridan will serve as the third stringer. Minor will again be in the backfield and last season's leading receiver, Martavious Odoms, is back as well.
This group will not be mistaken for Rodriguez' West Virginia offenses, but they should be a good deal more productive than last year's crew.
Defensively the Wolverines were far from dominant, but they were respectable enough, especially considered how long they were on the field as a result of the offense's ineptitude. The unit finished the year with a 28.9 points per game allowed average and they yielded an average of 367 yards per game.
Only five starters return from last season, but top players Brandon Graham (DE) and Obi Ezeh (LB) are back as well as an influx of young, talented players. Graham had 10 sacks and 46 tackles (10 for loss) in his junior campaign, and Ezeh led the team in tackles (98) last year as a sophomore.
The secondary is young, with two sophomores slated to start, but it will be hard for the group to digress after the miserable year they in 2008.
The Wolverines open their 2009 football season at the "Big House" on September 5th against Western Michigan. They play Notre Dame at home the following weekend. Michigan's first Big 10 game is scheduled for September 26 when they host the Indiana Hoosiers.
BetUS.com Michigan Wolverines 2009 College Football Odds – BCS Odds 2010
Michigan Wolverines Season Win Total:
Over 6 (-200)
Under 6 (+150)
Michigan Wolverines Odds to Win Big 10 Conference:
+1000
Michigan Wolverines BCS Odds 2010:
+10000
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