2010 Michigan Football Predictions
After getting off to a promising 4-0 start in 2009, the Michigan Wolverines lost seven of their last eight games. Big Blue’s collapse had fans calling for the head of head coach Rich Rodriguez. The pressure will be on Rodriguez this season, whether fair or not, with heavy speculation that the Wolverines must land in a bowl or he will be shown the door. There is reason to be optimistic. Michigan won five games last year, and it had an excellent chance to win three more. The Wolverines lost at Michigan State in overtime, at Iowa by only two points and to Purdue by just two points. Michigan’s offense has the potential to be very explosive. The Wolverines topped 30 points six times last season and the unit should be even better in 2010 after gaining confidence and experience. The problem is the defense. The Wolverines gave up 30 or more points in six of eight Big Ten games. The defense is what could end up costing Rodriguez his job. Want more bang for your buck with your college football betting? Bet your college football picks at Sportsbook.com, where our readers get up to $100 in free bonus cash!
Offense: Tate Forcier is the favorite to land the starting quarterback job after throwing for 2,050 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2009, but the competition is steep. Dual-threat quarterback Denard Robinson and true freshman Devin Gardner are both very much in the mix. Forcier showed flashes of brilliance in his first year at the controls, and I really like his toughness. It is also a given that Rodriguez will find ways to get Robinson’s hands on the football. Robinson is an elusive playmaker. He is also the team’s top returning rusher. The receiving corps is very talented with Darryl Stonum, Junior Hemingway, Martavious Odoms and Roy Roundtree. The Wolverines finished No. 3 in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 29.5 points per game. They certainly have the potential to improve on that this season.
Defense: This is the side of the football that will make or break the Wolverines. Michigan ranked No. 9 in the league in total defense in 2009, allowing 393.3 yards per game. It also ranked No. 8 in scoring defense, allowing 27.5 points per game. The Wolverines are hoping that a change to a 3-3-5 will breed improvement, but it’s not going to be easy to float the losses of Brandon Graham, Stevie Brown and Donovan Warren. There’s no question that Graham will be missed up front. It will be up to the team’s top returning sack guy, Ryan Van Bergen, to soften the blow. Defensive tackle Mike Martin has the potential to be one of the better interior lineman in the Big Ten. He must be dynamic in helping Michigan slow down the run. Last season, the Wolverines ranked No. 10 in the conference against the run, allowing 171.9 rushing yards per game. There are enough returning starters for Michigan to improve on the defensive side of the football, but I don’t see this being a feared unit.
Prediction: 5th Big Ten – The pressure is on, but I expect Rodriguez to get Michigan to a bowl game. I have the Wolverines finishing 7-5, and that still may not be enough for Rodriguez to keep his job. Michigan looks to be one year away from making some serious noise so I hope Rodriguez gets the opportunity to stay. The offense should be one of the best in the conference, and if the defense can exceed expectations the Wolverines could surprise. College football odds makers have listed Michigan at +8000 to win the BCS title.
Be sure to check out how I have the rest of the league shaping up in my 2010 Big Ten Football predictions. My 2010 college football predictions give you a quick run down on which teams I like to win all of college football’s conference championships.
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