| Michigan Wolverines - Big 10 Preview |
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Wednesday, 29 August 2007
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 The Michigan Wolverines are stacked at offensive skill position and poised for a national title run. Much of this season’s success however will hinge on the development of a retooled defense that lost some stars. SportsBetting.com has made the Michigan Wolverines 8 to 1 odds to win the 2008 BCS.The Wolverines like to establish the run to set up the play-action pass. This is a pro-style offense that likes to use lots of motion. Senior QB Chad Henne returns after bypassing an opportunity to play in the NFL. Henne, 6-2, 225, is a classic dropback passer with a missile for an arm. Joining Henne in the backfield will be workhorse running back Mike Hart, 5-9 195. Hart who gained 1,562 yards with 14 TD’s last year has a great feel for how to run and never fumbles. Michigan has no proven #2 receiver but Junior Mario Manningham, 6-0 186, is an All-American that comes up with clutch catches. Three starters return along with future NFL first-rounder LT Jake Long. Long is nasty and he can control even the best pass-rushers. The defense lost a lot of good players so it will be interesting to see how the replacements fill in. The defense is aggressive out of the 4-3. The D-line is unstable but the winged helmets have a deep group of young players. Stocky DT Terrance Taylor, 6-0 310, is a plugger with amazing quickness for a man of his girth. Defensive end Brandon Graham can also be a good one. Senior Outside linebacker Shawn Crable, 6-5 245, is a physical specimen that is also an NFL prospect. J.C transfer Austin Panter, 6-3 231 was the J.C player of the year so he also could have an impact at LB. The secondary could get exposed this year after the teams best corner Leon Hall departed. SS Jamar Adams, 6-2 212, is the best of the bunch with his range and insticts. The kicking game has a good leg in punter Zoltan Mesko. The place kicking duties are still up in the air. Michigan has some studs on offense but their defense will take time to develop. While many have predicted that the Wolverines will go undefeated, I think that they will drop at least 2 games. Brad Marchetti’s Opening Game Michigan Wolverines Power Ratings: 20-80 Scale 20- Poor 30- Well Below Average 40- Below Average 50- Average 60- Above Average 70- Very Good 80- Great Coaching: 65 Quarterback : 70 Backs : 75 Receivers : 65 Offensive Line : 70 Defensive Line : 60 Linebackers : 60 Secondary : 60 Special Teams : 60 Alabama 100 - 1 Arizona 300 - 1 Arizona St 50 - 1 Arkansas 60 - 1 Auburn 100 - 1 BYU 300 - 1 Boise St 100 - 1 Boston College 200 - 1 California 40 - 1 Clemson 100 - 1 Colorado 200 - 1 Florida 8 - 1 Florida St 30 - 1 Georgia 35 - 1 Georgia Tech 75 - 1 Hawaii 300 - 1 Iowa 100 - 1 Kansas St 300 - 1 LSU 6 - 1 Louisville 20 - 1 Maryland 300 - 1 Miami FL 30 - 1 Michigan 8 - 1 Missouri 25 - 1 Nebraska 40 - 1 North Carolina St 300 - 1 Notre Dame 60 - 1 Ohio St 30 - 1 Oklahoma 12 - 1 Oklahoma St 50 - 1 Oregon 50 - 1 Oregon St 300 - 1 Penn St 40 - 1 Pittsburgh 300 - 1 Purdue 300 - 1 Rutgers 75 - 1 South Carolina 75 - 1 South Florida 100 - 1 TCU 100 - 1 Tennessee 45 - 1 Texas 10 - 1 Texas A&M 60 - 1 Texas Tech 300 - 1 UCLA 35 - 1 USC 5 - 2 Virginia Tech 30 - 1 Wake Forest 300 - 1 West Virginia 8 - 1 Wisconsin 30 - 1 Field (Any Other Team) 100 - 1                        |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 29 August 2007 ) | |||||||