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HAIL TO THE 2007 VICTORS???
FIRST LOOK
This could just be the best team offensively that’s EVER played at Michigan and that’s saying something. Word is, this may be Lloyd Carr’s last season at the Big House (even though he denies it) and that might just give this team some sort of extra lift. The big question this season however is the defense. The Wolverines lost many strong starting defenders who must be replaced and defensive co-ordinator, Ron English has his work cut out for him in getting this unit to gel again like it did for much of the 2006 season but unlike Michigan’s last 2 games where the D was almost non-existent. This team has the talent offensively to win the National Championship. Whether they can play championship type defense or not is another story and is what will be the tell all for the Wolverines as they go into 2007 as a legit contender and top 5 team in the nation. 
OFFENSE
QB: Do the words absolutely stacked mean anything to you? Offensive co-ordinator, Mike DeBord runs a classic pro-style offense in typical Michigan fashion even though this time around he’s got athletes to work with and then some. Led by drop back passer, QB – Chad Henne (destined for a stellar season), the skill positions are absolutely loaded. Henne hasn’t performed up to full expectations yet but for him the time is now and I believe he has the talent to take it to the next level as long as Hart’s running sets up the pass (Michigan’s #1 offensive philosophy in the pro-style). It’s also worth mentioning that Michigan’s #1 recruit – QB – Mike Mallet (6 ft 6, 247 lbs) was sought after by many schools and is highly rated with a cannon for an arm. He’ll only see time if Henne gets injured but Mallet is the definite QB after this season.
RB: Terrific RB – Mike Hart returns for his senior season like Henne. Hart is as dangerous a runner as they come, not necessarily to hit big gainers but he’s a fabulous move the chains and get hard earned yards talent who ranks right up there with some of Michigan’s all time best RB’s. Quite simply, if Mike Hart stays healthy all season he’ll be a Heisman Trophy candidate because Michigan loves to ride their star RB to success and Hart is more then capable of handling such a chore with rip roaring success. The other thing about Hart is he’s dependable with the ball and it’s a rarity for him to fumble. The backups are as talented as you’ll find. Kevin Grady is still recovering from a knee injury but he’s a load for his size and is more then capable to get grind it out yards, meanwhile Brandon Minor can burst inside and/or outside.
WR’s/TE’s: Mario Manningham has the ability to possibly be the best WR in the nation. He’s a definite All-American and tremendous deep threat for Henne. Adrian Arrington also has good size and is an excellent #2 opposite Manningham but Arrington was suspended in the spring and his 2007 season will come down to Lloyd Carr’s decision. Greg Mathews should see a decent amount of playing time whether Arrington plays much or not because Mathews is considered the best young WR at Michigan. This is a talented group provided Arrington plays for most or hopefully all of the season. With Manningham and Arrington the Wolverines can absolutely dominate in this area. If Arrington plays all year it really won’t matter much who the backups are. As far as TE’s go, Carson Butler is a big target and a definite talent but like Arrington, Butler has seen his share of legal problems. Carr recently re-instated Butler who now adds to a formidable offense. Mike Massey is the other TE and he’s a big, capable target like Butler. Michigan will use double TE sets frequently so it’s important that Butler is back.
O-LINE: This will be the same old strong, tough offensive line that Michigan usually has. With three starters returning and with two of them on the left side (pro-like LT – Jake Long and LG – Adam Kraus) expect Hart to do much of his running to the left. Right tackle is a definite concern but expect sophomore – Mark Ortmann to fill the spot. Initially, center was a problem but Michigan is raving about sophomore – Justin Boren. The bottom line is this is a typical tough Michigan line that will be as consistent as it’s always been. By the way, if you don’t know it yet…Jake Long is an absolute FREAK!!!
DEFENSE
D-LINE: This is the key to the whole team as far as I’m concerned. Ron English’s inaugural season as defensive co-ordinator came last season and the players really responded to him for the most part. English was the fresh outlook that this team needed and the D was dominant at times. They’ve lost a lot of talent though. Normally you’d think that is a major problem but with Michigan and the ability of Lloyd Carr to recruit, you just never know what to expect. The key to English is keeping Big Ten teams guessing and creating a vision that Michigan is no longer the predictable defense that it has been in previous seasons. They were very effective for the first 11 games last season. The last 2 were a different story though and by losing much of their talent in this area, there are question marks. DT – Terrance Taylor will lead the line as primarily a run stopper. Carr converted Brandon Graham to DE from LB and they say he’s a good athlete but this line lacks the pass rush it had from a season ago. Jr. – Will Johnson takes the other tackle position which should prove to be a decent twosome with Taylor. Time Jamieson will be the other end opposite Brandon Graham. Expect talented LB – Shawn Crable to step up and help the line as a rush end on some occasions. Crable is probably the best player or one of the best on this defense and is going to be the leader of the group.
LB: There are plenty of question marks yet again. As mentioned, Crable will rotate line and LB until/unless someone steps up in both areas. This core does, however have a Cinderella story waiting to happen on it. Depleted by his NFL losses, Carr actually went to a Jr. college to recruit LB – Austin Panter who has absolutely turned heads with his size and speed. They say he could be the diamond in the rough that Michigan has been looking for. Chris Graham is another LB who may not be the most talented guy on the planet but he certainly is fast. These LB’s could be fast but just how well they do on the whole is only for actual games to determine. 
DB’s: This is the biggest area of concern, perhaps on the entire team. It all starts with SS – Jamar Adams who is not only a big hitter with great instincts and speed but is without a doubt the leader of the group. Morgan Trent will return to compete for one of the corner positions and Brandon Harrison will also see time. Harrison is just a little guy at 5 ft 8 but he has lots of speed to make up for it and should play a lot because of it. Brandent Englemont could be the other starting safety, being as he is a senior but you never know what Carr’s recruiting classes are going to be like and many of these starters who may feel like they have a position locked may end up losing their jobs to such youngers as Donovan Warren who could see time as a true freshman. This is a unit with many question marks, however, it’s a good schedule for a team to discover themselves before it gets tougher towards the end of the season.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 1st – APPALACHIAN ST
Sept. 8th – OREGON
Sept. 15th – NOTRE DAME
Sept. 22nd – PENN ST
Sept. 29th – at Northwestern
Oct. 6th – EASTERN MICHIGAN
Oct. 13th – PURDUE
Oct. 20th – at Illinois
Oct. 27th – MINNESOTA
Nov. 3rd – at Michigan State
Nov. 10th – at Wisconsin
Nov. 17th – OHIO STATE
My first thought when looking at this schedule is there are lots of home games and the schedule itself is very bottom heavy which means that Michigan has plenty of games that favor them and give them a chance to get their butt in gear before the big game in Madison, Wisconsin. The Oregon game should be a bit of a test early and Michigan needs to thank the schedule making Gods for scheduling this one in Michigan and not in Oregon where it was really tough on Michigan last time. Notre Dame shouldn’t be much of a test for the Maize and Blue but Penn St. on week 4 will be the first real strong team Michigan will face. Lucky for them they will have already had 3 games under their belt at that time. From there, Michigan should steamroll into the Michigan State game at East Lansing. State has nowhere near the overall talent that Michigan does but with new head coach, Mark Dantonio putting a new emphasis on the rivalry game (they have a scoreboard clock ticking down to when the game will be which is both pathetic and sad), this is one that Michigan certainly can’t sleep on. They’ve owned this series for awhile now and there is no reason to think they can’t do it again. Now we come to where it really gets interesting. The game in Wisconsin on Nov. 10th in my opinion will determine the entire Michigan season. For starters, it’s one of the toughest environments in the nation to play in, the fans are rated some of the worst fans for opposing teams to play against and oh, did I mention this is perhaps the best Wisconsin team in years? Add it all up and again, this is the make or break game. There is no reason why Michigan can’t be 10-0 going into this week and this game should be for everything. Michigan lost the last time they were in Wisconsin so revenge will be on their mind but again, it’s a tough place to play in and this game will probably be what decides the Big Ten Conference. Not only that but it could also determine Michigan’s overall fate being as Ohio State comes to the Big House the week after. Should Michigan beat Wisconsin, it would give them a lift that might just propel them to a great win over OSU but should they lose, it will be interesting to see how they recover going into the OSU game. Make no mistakes about it though…if Michigan is going to have the upper hand on OSU finally, this is the year to do it without question. Not only that but there is starting to be tremendous pressure being put on Lloyd Carr to beat the boys from Columbus. It’s now or never, Lloyd. The final two weeks will be outstanding match ups putting potentially the best offense in the nation in Michigan vs. what will probably end up being two of the nation’s top defenses in the Badgers and Buckeyes.
FINAL THOUGHT
I’d love to sit here and say that Michigan will run the board, go 12-0 and win the Rose Bowl or BCS title game but something along the lines of 11-2 or 12-1 is more likely. And when you think about all the question marks this team has defensively, it might be even worse then that. The offense is extremely talented and must carry them for much, if not all of the season. As mentioned, the Wisconsin game will probably turn out to be the most important week of Michigan’s season and could determine whether or not they get a perfect record and Big Ten title. I’ll go on the safe side and say 11-2 because until Michigan proves they can beat OSU again, you can’t just give them that game and you obviously can’t just give them the Wisconsin one. Not only that but Michigan’s recent performance in bowl games makes me want to stay away from a prediction there as well. Michigan will control their own destiny this season. If they win out they should play in the national championship game. It’s that simple. But will they? Again, with a shaky defense, this whole season will fall back on the quarterbacking of Chad Henne and especially the running of Mike Hart. Both could be Heisman hopefuls, especially if Michigan is successful. It all falls on the offenses hands if the D doesn’t get the job done. Ron English…it’s time to truly earn your paycheck.
BIG D’S PREDICTION: I’ve flip flopped a bit and I will now say this…If they don’t at least make the Rose Bowl it wasn’t a good year. At least, not with the overall talent this team has so I will say 12-1 with a Rose Bowl victory. Hey, it won’t be the national championship but at least “Hail to the Victors†will be shouted/sung from Pasadena once again!!!
By the way, anyone wanting a Michigan State season preview will be waiting a long time. GO BLUE!
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