Michigan Football: Wolverines Can Count on Firepower in '07

Coach Lloyd Carr's Michigan Wolverines were on course for a national title in 2006 until their hopes came crashing down at the end of the season.

In 2007, they'll look to finish the journey.

  

New defensive coordinator Ron English rejuvenated the '06 Wolverines, who played like a team on a mission.

English's acumen will be tested this year by the departures of 2006 Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year DE LaMarr Woodley, DT Alan Branch, LBs Prescott Burgess and David Harris, and CB Leon Hall.

The return of QB Chad Henne and RB Mike Hart for their senior seasons should give the Michigan offense a shot in the arm. Henne has thrown 70 career touchdown passes and completed better than 60 percent of his attempts; Hart finished ninth nationally last fall with 120 rushing yards per game.

Receiver Mario Manningham will help the Wolverines stretch the field, having averaged 18.5 yards on 38 catches with nine touchdown grabs in '06. When Manningham missed three midseason games with an injury, the loss resonated through the entire offense.

Adrian Arrington, meanwhile, is a terrific number-two option on the flank, and Henne needs to look his way more often.

Backup running backs Kevin Grady and Brandon Minor rushed for five touchdowns between them last fall, but Grady suffered a season-ending knee injury in the spring. Hart, who finished fifth in last year's Heisman voting after running for 1,562 yards and 14 touchdowns, is clearly the focal point of the Michigan ground attack.

Hart will get plenty of help from one of the nation's best offensive lines, with All-American tackle Jake Long and All-Big 10 guard Adam Kraus both back as seniors.

Defensively, the troops will rally around linebacker Shawn Crable and safeties Jamar Adams and Brandent Englemon.

The Wolverines play six of their first seven games in the Big House in 2007. Oregon, Notre Dame, and Penn State come to Michigan Stadium on consecutive September Saturdays, and Ohio State travels to Ann Arbor to close the season.

Michigan's only real challenge on the road will be the Wisconsin game on November 10th.