Why Michigan Will Struggle In 2008

Even though I am a huge Ohio State fan, I want to make it abundantly clear that I have tremendous respect for the University of Michigan as a higher institution of learning as well as for its storied football program. Year after year, Michigan has been one of the premier football programs in the country, and its battles with Ohio State have earned thet title of "THE GAME" with the reputation of being the top rivalry in the country. If you haven't done so yet, I highly recommend reading these books on Bo Schembechler. Not only are both books very informative and entertaining, I believe you can truly grasp why Bo Schembechler was Woody Hayes' prize disciple. Even more importantly from a Michigan perspective -- you actually learn the depth of respect and love Bo had for Woody Hayes and how Bo built the Michigan program along the lines of Woody Hayes' Ohio State teams.

Now let me address the subject at hand - Michigan will struggle in 2008. I do not believe they will have a winning record, ending their consecutive bowl appearance at 33. I may be wrong, but even if Michigan does make it to a bowl game, it will not be a New Year's Day bowl game. The probable destination would be the Motor City Bowl.

I can feel the emails lining up as I write this. Let me elaborate and explain why Michigan is going to struggle:

Point 1: The personnel is not in place to run the spread option. Yes, Coach Rodriguez is a good coach. He turned around West Virginia, and he will do a great job at Michigan once he gets his personnel in place to run the spread option offense effectively. Please reread the italicized line again: once he gets his personnel in place. The personnel on hand for multiple generations was recruited to play Bo Schembechler-type football.

Let's look at this key point further. Spread option offense 101: the quarterback gets the snap from center in the shotgun formation and fakes the ball to the running back. This movement will keep the linebacker from committing to the quarterback in the event of a play action pass or if the quarterback keeps the ball himself on a waggle or bootleg around the end. Sounds just like Pat White of West Virginia, right? Here's the problem for Michigan this year -- the probable starting quarterback (Steven Threet) is not very mobile. If I am a linebacker on the opposition, I am going to sell out against the run because I am either going to tackle the running back or get to the quarterback. The lack of a mobile quarterback makes the spread option offense much easier to defend.

If Terrelle Pryor had signed with Michigan this year, the spread option offense would have been that much more effective. Michigan fans point out that incoming recruit Justin Feagin may win the starting job, but that's asking a lot of a true freshman to come into Michigan and lead a brand new offensive scheme that is lacking...

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?