Michigan's streak will not die in 2008

Rich Rodriguez leaving West Virginia for Michigan was a cluster of lawsuits, rumors, and contractual disputes. After months of going back and forth over a buyout clause, Rodriguez agreed to pay the $4 million owed to West Virginia.

Now that all the off field drama is behind us, it's time to start thinking about how well UM will fare in 2008. Michigan holds the current mark for consecutive bowl appearances. They are at 33 straight bowl appearances, and Michigan fans hope it doesn't end anytime soon. So will it? Nope, the streak won't end. Expect Michigan to be playing in December, regardless of the changes Rodriguez will bring to the table. I have few ideas why UM will fare well in 2008.

1. New blood: Lloyd Carr's time at Michigan was up, and truthfully it was probably up 3 years ago. But it really is not just about Lloyd Carr, after all he won an NC at Michigan in 1997 and won at least a share of the Big 10 title, five times. His record in his 13 seasons was 121-40 (.751), so it isn't like Lloyd was a flop. He was just a Michigan man, and Michigan needed to get away from that mold. Programs that refuse to break the mold tend to get stale. There is a fine line between keeping tradition alive, and refusing to evolve. Michigan was on the wrong side of that line, and the program needed to be shook up. Enter Rodriguez. New ideas, attitude, and renewed since of change is exactly what Michigan needed.

2. Shaun King: Everybody keeps talking about how Rodriguez's spread offense is a bad for the Michigan quarterbacks. Apparently it will be such a bad fit, Ryan Mallet transferred to Arkansas before even giving it a chance. Rodriguez needs a mobile QB to make his system work, I keep hearing. But I recall in 1998 a guy named Shaun King ran the spread under Rich Rodriguez, when the coach was the OC at Tulane. In1998, King set NCAA single season passing efficiency record (183.3), threw for 3232 yards and tossed 36 touchdowns. Sure King also rushed for over 500 yards, so even in King's huge passing season running the football was required. But it ain't like Rodriguez is running the wishbone, either. My point, there is an opportunity to pass and pass well in Rodriguez's spread system. Methinks Rodriguez is smart enough to put the Pat White plays to rest, and dust off the old Tulane playbook to adjust to his personnel.

3. Strong defense: New DC Scott Shafer will have plenty to work with talent and experience, wise. The Wolverines return 7 starters from a defense that was 24th in the nation and 3rd in the Big 10 in Total Defense. The Wolverines were particularly strong against the pass (8th nationally in pass defense, 2nd in Big 10). They return a strong secondary, led by 5th year senior CB Morgan Trent and 2007 Freshman All American CB Donovan Warren. Although run defense was the Wolverines achilles heel, expect an improved D Line to be strong, led by Second Team All Big 1o senior tackle Terrance Taylor and 5th year senior DT Will Johnson. Junior DE Brandon Graham (8.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles in 2007) and 5th year senior DE Tim Jamison (5.5 sacks in 2007) make up a formidable duo on the edge. The linebacking core is the weakest link, but even it returns 5 lettermen. Even Ray Guy Award candidate punter Zoltan Mesko returns, to help the defense with field position. If they stay healthy, Michigan will have the best defense in the Big 10 not in Columbus, OH.

I'm counting on these three things to carry the team until an offense returning only three starters can find its niche. Despite the lack of experience on offense, there are some pieces. Junior running backs Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown have the talent and speed to excel in a spread offense. Junior WR Greg Matthews (39, 366 YDs, 3 TDs) appears ready to step up after being in the shadows of Adrian Arrington and Mario Manningham. Sophomore Stephen Schilling, a Freshman All American in 2007, appears to be the next great Wolverine lineman. So whoever wins the quarterbacking job won't be working with a bare cupboard. He'll have a few weapons aroung him that should make life a little easier.

With all this said, I expect the Wolverine's 2008 season to go something like this.

UTAH - I expect the Wolverine D to carry an offense that will find a way to make just enough plays in it's home opener. 24-20, W
MIAMI OH - Expect the offense to play better after getting it's feet wet. 31-13, W
@ Notre Dame - I ain't buying the hype that Notre Dame has improved that much. I mean really, did you see how much they sucked last year? It wasn't even respectable "there is hope at the end of the tunnel" suckiness, it was flat out "why are you guys even playing" suckiness. Michigan eeks out a road win. 17-14, W
WISCONSIN - Wisky is simply better, expect some struggles. 13-28, L
ILLINOIS - Back to back home losses will end the honeymoon from the 3-0 start. 20-34, L
TOLEDO - Michigan rolls and we see some signs of the scoring you expect from a spread offense. 42-17, W
@ Penn State - And all that "O" we just saw the previous week won't fare so well against the Wolverine's first taste of a quality road opponent. 14-24, L
MICHIGAN STATE - The Wolverines handle Sparty at home (had this been on the road I'd be on the other side of this). 24-20, W
@ Purdue - By this point in the season, Purdue will be playing like Purdue again. 35-20, W
@ Minnesota - The Little Brown Jug will stay in Ann Arbor. 30-20, W
NORTHWESTERN - Dub-ya. 41-17, W
@ Ohio State - New coach, same result (for now anyway): Michigan will be on the wrong side of this one. 21-38, L

So there you have it, 8-4 and 4-4 in the Big 10. The streak lives on....