Michigan Wolverines:Pre-Kickoff Edition

Correspondent Written on August 29, 2008

(Page 2 of 4)

8) MICHIGAN (13-2, 50-1) - The transition from Lloyd Carr to Rich Rodriguez will pay off in the long run, but not in 2008.

Offense - Even though Chad Henne's numbers declined since his freshman season, he still ended up as the school's all-time career passing leader. Mike Hart also leaves as the number one rusher with over 5,000 yards. The team's top two receiving leaders also waive bye-bye along with four-fifths of the starting offensive line. All I can say is good luck, coach.

Defense - Michigan also loses its top four tacklers after allowing 882 rushing yards over the final four games. The Wolverines' top two interception leaders also depart, and the entire "D" must learn new schemes.

Outlook - Michigan should improve as the year moves along, but don't expect more than five wins (three in the Big Ten). The Wolverines get a huge break as five of their first six games are at home, but then again, that didn't help last year as they lost the first two in Ann Arbor. It's been a long time since Michigan finished below .500 (1967), but that streak will end in '08. The Maize and Blue are 5-0 as an away dog the last four years.

Untested UM leaves plenty to ponder

http://www.toledofreepress.com/?id=8526

25 Michigan keys: #14: How does the defense prepare?

http://blog.mlive.com/thediag/2008/08/25_michigan_keys_14.html

How can the Wolverine defense be ready to mash it out up front when they spend all their time working against the spread?

The answer is, hopefully, going to come from the way Scott Shafer prepares his defense. Michigan should be very well conditioned, able to line up, slug it out, and be aggressive. Instead of trying to completely switch the defensive attack game to game, or worry about making Michigan's offense mimic an opponent, Shafer will rely on what his team has.

Michigan running backs coach Fred Jackson adapts to new philosophy, assistants

http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/football/index.ssf/2008/08/michigan_running_backs_coach_f.html

Michigan Wolverines Odds to Win 2009 BCS & Season O/U Total Wins Odds

http://www.thespread.com/sports-betting-top-stories-900/michigan-wolverines-odds-to-win-2009-bcs-season-o-u-total-wins.html

Michigan Wolverines 2009 BCS National Championship Odds to win

Bodog: 55/1

Sportsbook.com: 75/1

SBG Global: 55/1

Michigan Wolverines Big 10 Conference Odds to win

Bodog: 13/2

Sportsbook.com: 13/2

SBG Global: 13/2

Michigan Wolverines 2008 Season Win Over/Under Totals

Michigan Wolverines Over 7.5 Wins (-105)

Michigan Wolverines Under 7.5 Wins (-125)

Newsome decommits from Michigan, exploring his options

http://proxy.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/notebook?page=peprally/080822

Lower-tier teams play up to the competition

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written on August 29, 2008 Breaking News