Michigan Football: 10 Questions Still Left Unanswered from the Spring Game
As the 30,000 or so fans filed out of the Big House Saturday, they tried to answer the lingering questions facing the team as summer approaches.
Will the defense improve enough to keep undue pressure off the offense?
Brady Hoke’s initial support has been great. How soon will that support waiver once the losses begin to mount?
Can the Michigan compliance staff keep the NCAA from calling?
It won't be long before Hoke's "honeymoon" is officially over. Let’s see how some of these questions might be answered.
Who Gets No. 1?
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Braylon Edwards believes a “game changer” should wear the No. 1 jersey. It’s been quite a perk at Michigan, with Anthony Carter, Derrick Alexander, David Terrell and Edwards (among others), wearing it in the past.
The jersey has routinely gone to a receiver, but none of the current Wolverines have stood out from the rest.
To me it’s simple. If Terrelle Pryor wears No. 2, Denard Robinson should wear No. 1.
New Scoreboards
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As everyone could see, the scoreboards at each end of the stadiums have been removed. We’re told new ones with high definition video capability will be ready for the fall opener.
The 85 ft. by 47 ft. displays will also feature the words “Michigan Stadium” scrolled across the top.
Tell me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t the name changed to “The Big House” many years ago?
William Campbell
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One of this spring’s experiments was to bring William Campbell back to the defensive side of the ball.
As it turns out, if Campbell and his sidekick Quinton Washington can handle the inside tackle slot, Mike Martin could be moved to the edge—where he could take real advantage of his athleticism in an expanded blitzing role.
Also look for outside linebacker Jake Ryan and nickel-back Thomas Gordon to create pressure on the quarterback.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Cover Corners
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Most fans are concerned about the health of injured cornerbacks Troy Woolfolk and J. T. Floyd. Both have foot/ankle injuries and are expected to return in the fall.
Both can play man coverage, so the defense can commit an extra body to the run. It also allows more blitzing on passing downs, which could bring out the punter more often.
The Next Michael Hart
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Throughout the spring, Michigan supporters have wondered who would be the featured running back. In years past, Michigan teams would often start with a two-man rotation. Each would play a couple of series, and the coaching staff would begin to see who had the hot hand. Fumbles and injuries of course, would destroy that strategy.
Michael Cox and Stephen Hopkins appear to be running one-two, but Hopkins is expected to play some fullback along with John McColgan.
Vincent Smith, Michael Shaw and Fitzgerald Toussaint should also be in the mix. And don’t count out the incoming freshmen—Thomas Rawls, Justice Hayes and fullback Joe Kerridge.
Losing Streaks
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So when was the last time Michigan defeated either Ohio State, Iowa or Michigan State? It looks like this:
Ohio State, 2003
Iowa, 2006
Michigan State, 2007
Brady Hoke has installed countdown clocks for the Michigan State and Ohio State "red letter" games. While he’s at it, he may as well get a clock for Iowa, too.
Field Goal, Anyone?
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The coaching staff was hoping one of the four kickers on Michigan’s roster would distinguish himself by the end of spring practice. If the spring game was any indication, Jeremy Ross, Seth Broekhuizen, Brendan Gibbons and Kris Pauloski will be looking for another position come fall.
Mile Wile, an incoming freshman from California, is expected to win the job.
An Atmosphere of Compliance
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Michigan is currently serving a three-year probation sentence from the NCAA for having incorrectly defined roles for assistants, and practicing longer than the allotted time.
Brady Hoke is looking for his players to respect each other, make sure all of the rules are followed and to practice self-discipline.
One thing Michigan doesn’t need is a similar situation like what happened between Troy Woolfolk and Tate Forcier.
Having a player toss another under the bus is not recommended, especially when the media is present.
Tradition
9 of 10Being a "Michigan Man", Brady Hoke is expected to bring tradition back to Michigan football. To do so, he held a meeting of nearly 300 former players last Friday in hopes of getting everyone back on board..
Fans have also debated other traditions that effect the game day experience. Sure, even the face of the stadium has changed, but most believe it's been for the better.
Some have questioned the roll of the Michigan Marching Band. With the advancement of digital electronics, more “piped” in music has become part of the day’s entertainment. The marching band has also been “miked” so fans throughout the stadium can get a better taste of the Michigan tradition.
New traditions are fine, as long as we still get our share of Temptation and The Hawaiian War Chant.
Big Ten Title Game
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The biggest question left unanswered is whether Michigan can earn a spot in this year's inaugural Big Ten Championship Game.
The game will pit the winners of the new Legends and Leaders Divisions, and will be played before 70,000 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The early odds favor Nebraska and Ohio State clashing December 3 to decide the automatic berth in the Rose Bowl or the BCS title game.
Michigan, as they say, will be waiting for next year.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
