🏈 Michigan previews: (compliled from several sites...)

[TerryP]

UM preview.

 

[TerryP]

CFN's Overview:


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[TD] Head coach: Brady Hoke
2nd year: 11-2
10th year overall: 58-53
Returning Lettermen:
Off. 22, Def. 24, ST 4
Lettermen Lost: 24 [/TD]
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[TD][FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Ten Best Michigan Players
1. QB Denard Robinson, Sr.
2. RB Fitzgerald Toussaint, Jr.
3. OT Taylor Lewan, Jr.
4. LB Kenny Demens, Sr.
5. CB J.T. Floyd, Sr.
6. S Jordan Kovacs, Sr.
7. CB Blake Countess, Soph.
8. DE Craig Roh, Sr.
9. LB Desmond Morgan, Soph.
10. OG Patrick Omameh, Sr. [/FONT][/TD]
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[TD] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] 2012 Schedule [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Sep. 1 Alabama (Arlington, TX)
Sep. 8 Air Force
Sep. 15 Massachusetts
Sep. 22 at Notre Dame
Sep. 29 OPEN DATE
Oct. 6 at Purdue
Oct. 13 Illinois
Oct. 20 Michigan State
Oct. 27 at Nebraska
Nov. 3 at Minnesota
Nov. 10 Northwestern
Nov. 17 Iowa
Nov. 24 at Ohio State [/FONT]
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Before everyone gets all excited about the idea of Michigan being back to being Michigan again, remember, even when it was rocking and rolling, Michigan needed to be better.

Why not just accept what last year was and be happy? It might have been a bit of a mirage.

Michigan’s pre-RichRod problem was that it always came up with great seasons with seemingly fantastic teams that – when it came to games at the highest of levels – often got exposed by the big boys like Ohio State, USC and Texas. It took an all-timer of a break to win the national title in 1997 - missing Nebraska and all SEC teams in the last year before the BCS kicked in full force – and that was it for the championship runs. 2006 was close, but again, when it came to winning the highest of level games, Michigan lost.

Remember, winning Big Ten titles and going to Rose Bowls wasn’t enough under Lloyd Carr. So while last year was great and it pulled the program up out of a nosedive, there’s a big difference between what Michigan did last year and actually being good enough to win a BCS championship.

Of course, Wolverine fans sick and tired of their premier program being mediocre are through the roof excited after a phenomenal first season under Brady Hoke, and of course the major difference in defensive production was a breath of fresh air after so many problems with the former coaching staff, but it still might not be quite right to assume that the ship has turned around.

It helped that the Wolverines had a far, far easier schedule then they did in 2010.

There’s no question that the team and coaching staff were better last season, however, the 2010 team fell off a cliff because it lost its last three games against a Wisconsin team that went to the Rose Bowl; an Ohio State team that finished 12-1 and won the Sugar Bowl; and to a strong Mississippi State squad in the Gator Bowl. The other three losses came to a Michigan State team that finished 11-2 and to Iowa and Penn State teams that finished with winning records and solid seasons.

Last year, Ohio State was a shadow of its former self and yet the Wolverines needed everything in the bag to put the game away. They needed to do even more work in the best game of the 2011 college football season – the 35-31 win over an average Notre Dame squad, whose corners never did figure out that it might be a good idea to turn their heads on Denard Robinson’s jump-ball 50/50 deep throws.

They missed Wisconsin and lost to Michigan State, meaning they didn’t beat the Big Ten’s two best teams, while losing to a mediocre Iowa.

Blowing out Nebraska was great, but that came a week after the Huskers’ emotionally charged road win over an embattled Penn State. Coming up with a Sugar Bowl win looks wonderful on the résumé, but that Virginia Tech team beat nobody and stuffed the Michigan offense allowing just 56 yards rushing and 184 yards total. And there’s the big concern with Alabama coming up first to start the season.

For all of RichRod’s faults, the offense actually did work – at least until the second half of the Gator Bowl loss to Mississippi State. The 2010 attack averaged 489 yards per game with 250 of those coming through the air. Last season, with an easier schedule, Michigan averaged just 183 passing yards per game and 405 total yards per outing. Part of the reason was that the 2010 O had to keep bombing away to make up for the miserable defense, but the passing game is now a question mark after such a huge drop-off.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever. Michigan went 11-2, beat Ohio State and won the Sugar Bowl. It was as good a season as could reasonably be asked for after the Rodriguez era.

2011 wasn’t a culmination and it wasn’t even a step forward. It was what the roto-geeks like to call a regression to the mean. The 2009 and 2010 teams weren’t quite as bad as the 12-13 record – okay, maybe the defenses were – and the 2011 team wasn’t as good as its final record, but what the season did do was put Michigan back on the national map in terms of what might be coming next.

Hoke has been able to use last year to show recruits that Michigan really is close to being Michigan again, only better, and he’s bringing in the talent to prove it with – at the time this is written – Scout’s No. 1 recruiting class for 2013 by a ten-mile wide margin after coming up with the fourth-ranked haul last February. All of a sudden, Michigan has become a cool place to go again and Hoke is capitalizing.

For this year, Hoke’s team has the talent, the breaks - with the rest of the Big Ten down or rebuilding - and the coaching to win the Big Ten title if everything goes according to plan.

Denard Robinson is way overdue to be considered a legitimate Heisman candidate past the first half of a season, and he has a good line to work behind and a great running mate in Fitzgerald Toussaint to help carry the load.

The defense needs to make some major replacements up front, but the coaching is peerless and the back seven has the right combination of experience, smarts and athleticism to be outstanding.

Everything is in place, but more importantly, everything is improving to the level that Michigan fans have been waiting for.

Michigan isn’t close to being Michigan again. It’s close to being better.

What to watch for on offense: The receiving corps. The offensive line has to replace some key parts, but it’s a good-looking group that just needs a little bit of tweaking to be as good as or even better than the 2011 version. The running game should rock with Robinson and Toussaint as electrifying and as deadly as any rushing tandem in the country, however, they need more from the receivers to help keep the safeties from cheating up. Roy Roundtree has to be better after a strange drop-off in production from his great campaign two years ago. Jeremy Gallon has tremendous potential, but he has to show he can explode, while the tight ends are unproven with Kevin Koger gone.

What to watch for on defense: A fantastic back seven. There doesn’t seem to be too much concern from the coaching staff about the rebuilt line that loses some key parts, but it’s still asking a lot to be as good as last season’s veteran front four was. Fortunately, the back seven has the potential to be outstanding with Kenny Demens leading a good group of linebackers that started to come into their own down the final stretch of the season. The secondary is loaded at corner and excellent at safety, but all the experience has to translate into more big plays and more picks.

The team will be far better if … it always runs well. It was a simple deal last season; when Michigan’s running game rocked, everything else fell into place. The four worst rushing days of last year came against Virginia Tech (56 yards and no touchdowns) in the near-miss in the Orange Bowl; Notre Dame (114 yards and one touchdown) in the near-miss in early September; Iowa (127 yards and no scores) in a loss; and Michigan State (82 yards and one score) in a loss. In the other nine games Michigan won each one except for the Ohio State game by double digits and ran for at least 179 yards and two scores in each of the wins. The 179 yards against Northwestern was the only one of those nine victories with fewer than 200 yards on the ground.

The schedule: Michigan has the talent and the ability to come up with a great season, and it could be a special year with a win in the opener over Alabama in Arlington. Air Force isn’t a layup to follow, but the Falcons have some rebuilding to do. UMass is the final tune-up before the trip to Notre Dame in one of the most anticipated games of the season.

The week off comes before the start of the Big Ten season, which is nice, but it would’ve been better before the trip to Nebraska or the showdown against Ohio State. The yearly date with the Buckeyes from the Leaders is made that much harder because it’s on the road and it’ll be the OSU’s bowl game. Missing Wisconsin is a break, and the division play won’t kick in until mid-October after starting out against Purdue and Illinois. Going to Nebraska will be a problem in the fight to win the Legends, especially after facing Michigan State.

Best offensive player: Senior QB Denard Robinson. Always everyone’s Heisman favorite after September, he has faded out of the race over the last two seasons even though he has been one of the best players in college football. All he has done is crank out 3,229 rushing yards and 35 scores and 8,160 yards of total offense over the last three seasons. While he’ll never be a top-flight passer, there’s nothing more breathtaking in college football than watching him run in the open field. He might throw too many interceptions, but the running ability makes up for it.

Best defensive player: Senior LB Kenny Demens. He might not be all that flashy and he might not have the name recognition yet, he has been one of the Big Ten’s steadiest tacklers over the last few seasons making 94 stops last year with three sacks and 82 tackles in 2010. One of the team’s biggest linebackers, he’s a rock in the middle that everything works to, but he has the range and the burst to chase down plays and get into the backfield.

Key player to a successful season: Senior DT Will Campbell. Because of his 6-5, 322-pound size and his decent athleticism, he’s actually the best pro prospect on a defense that he hasn’t done much for since joining the program as a top recruit. He moved over to the offensive line for a while before moving back and making 14 tackles last season in a reserve role. If he’s able to sit on the nose and anchor the D, the pass rushers around him should shine and the run defense could be a rock. But first he has to prove he can handle a full-time job.

The season will be a success if … the Wolverines win the Big Ten title. Ohio State can’t go to the Big Ten championship game and the rest of the Legends division is a bit down. Iowa is average; Michigan State has to do some retooling; Nebraska still doesn’t have any diversity on offense; and Minnesota and Northwestern are Minnesota and Northwestern. Anything less than a Legends title and a win over, most likely, Wisconsin, in the Big Ten title game will be a major disappointment.

Key game: Oct. 20 vs. Michigan State. For all the bluster about the Ohio State rivalry that doesn’t really matter that much now that the Big Ten is in two divisions, it’s Michigan State that’s the big problem in a rivalry that really does mean something. It should be the game for the Legends title as the Wolverines will try to break the four-game losing streak. With road games at Nebraska and Minnesota to follow, and with an away game at Ohio State to close out, finally getting by Sparty again will be a must.

2011 Fun Stats:
- 4th quarter scoring: Michigan 124 – Opponents 56
- Penalties: Opponents 92 for 802 yards – Michigan 53 for 458 yards
- Time of Possession: Michigan 31:15 – Opponents 27:28

 

[TerryP]

CFN on Michigan Offense:

What You Need To Know: The offense might not have been as explosive as it was under Rich Rodriguez – finishing eighth in the nation in 2010 – but it didn’t have to be thanks to a defense that didn’t force the O to push to keep pace. The 2011 attack might have dipped a bit in total yards, but the running game stayed strong thanks to another phenomenal season from QB Denard Robinson. With Robinson and emerging star Fitzgerald Toussaint, the Wolverines have a 1-2 rushing punch that should combine for well over 2,000 yards if everything goes according to plan. The backfield is terrific and the line, with a little tweaking, will be more than fine if everyone stays healthy. The problem is a receiving corps that took a step back last season and needs Roy Roundtree to bounce back to 2010 form and Jeremy Gallon to shine as a possible No. 1 target.

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Returning Leaders
Passing: Denard Robinson
142-258, 2,173 yds, 20 TD, 15 INT
Rushing: Denard Robinson
221 carries, 1,176 yds, 16 TD
Receiving: Jeremy Gallon
31 catches, 453 yds, 3 TD ​

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Star of the offense: Senior QB Denard Robinson
Player who has to step up and be a star: Junior WR Jeremy Gallon
Unsung star on the rise: Junior OT Michael Schofield
Best pro prospect: Junior OT Taylor Lewan
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Robinson, 2) RB Fitzgerald Toussaint, 3) Lewan
Strength of the offense: Running Game, Denard Robinson
Weakness of the offense: Wide Receiver, Proven Line Depth

[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif] Quarterbacks

Senior Denard Robinson is what he is, and that’s one of the most electrifying players in college football running for 1,702 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2010 and following it up by taking off for 1,176 yards and 16 scores last season. He’s a mediocre passer – completing 55% of his throws for 2,173 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 picks last season – and he seems to have a habit of throwing bad interceptions at puzzling times, but any of the negatives are offset by his phenomenal playmaking skills.

While there was some discussion by Brady Hoke and the new coaching staff to limit Robinson’s rushing attempts last year, he only carried the ball 35 fewer times than he did in 2010 and was the workhorse of sorts when the going got tough highlighted by a 26-carry, 170-yard, two-score rushing day against Ohio State. At 6-0 and 195 pounds he’s not built to take a pounding, and he makes fans hold their breath on every run – partly because he’s so dynamic and partly out of worry that he’ll get hurt - but now this is 100% totally his offense and his season after two years of phenomenal, underappreciated-by-the-Heisman-types play. He’ll be a receiver at the next level with his Florida state champion-level, 4.32 sprinter’s speed, and the coaching staff will still do what it can to make sure he won’t take more hits than he has to, but he’s the key to the season. This will be a great Michigan team, but it needs No. 16 to shine to be truly special.

6-4, 205-pound junior Devin Gardner is supposed to be the passer in the equation, occasionally coming in when the offense needs a bit of a boost through the air, but he’s been awful when given the chance completing just 48% of his throws last year for 176 yards with a touchdown and a pick. An elite recruit brought in to be a smaller, better passing version of Terelle Pryor, he hasn’t been able to do too much with Robinson becoming such a star. He has the size, the mobility, the arm and the talent to be terrific, and he has to always be at the ready considering Robinson’s history of getting banged up. This year, though, he has to be fantastic when he gets the opportunity with plenty of talent waiting in the wings.

6-3, 189-pound redshirt freshman Russell Bellomy is a dual-threat playmaker with nice size and a good arm, but the Elite 11 camper will have to keep working and has to keep shining when he gets his chances. Great this offseason, often looking stronger than Gardner, while showing he could be ready to step in and produce if Robinson gets hurt. This is an audition year with Shane Morris expected to sign on with the 2013 recruiting class. With a big arm and pro-style skills he’s the exact type of quarterback Hoke wants for his attack.

Watch Out For … Devin Gardner, wide receiver? If Bellomy is terrific in practices like he was at times this offseason, and if Robinson is rolling again, just to get the 6-4, 205-pound athlete on the field there might be some discussion of putting Gardner at receiver for a stretch.
Strength: Denard Robinson. He’s having one of the all-time great careers for a college quarterback with 3,229 rushing yards, 35 touchdowns, and 4,931 passing yards with 40 scores. Michigan is 10-4 when he runs for more than 100 yards, but it was 5-0 last season when he passed the century mark.
Weakness: Robinson’s interceptions. It’s a bit like complaining that Beyonce can’t cook, but Robinson isn’t a downfield passer and he throws way, way too many interceptions. His one great passing game last season – a 338-yard, four score effort against Notre Dame – also came with three picks. The 30 career interceptions are an issue.
Outlook: This could be a bit of a delicate situation. Robinson is a Heisman-caliber talent who can carry the offense by himself, but he needs to stay healthy and he has to be a more consistent passer. Gardner has a world of upside and has to start showing that he can be the quarterback of the future, if he’s not thrown into starting role if something happens to Robinson. And then there’s Bellomy, who could become a fan favorite in blowouts; he has to get a chance in live action to show what he can do.
Unit Rating: 10

[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif] Running Backs

The Wolverines have their No. 1 tailback, and it’s not Denard Robinson. Junior Fitzgerald Toussaint emerged last year as a star to use as a nice complement to Robinson finishing the year with 1,041 yards and nine touchdowns with six receptions for 28 yards and a score. While he’s not big at a slim 5-10 and 195 pounds, he’s slippery through the line with excellent breakaway speed, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. While he was the perfect fit for the Rich Rodriguez spread attack – and was courted by Illinois to be its main man – now he should blow up with even more work and more responsibility.

5-6, 172-pound Vincent Smith is another speedster with the talent and ability to break off big plays whenever he has the ball in his hands. While he only finished with 298 yards and two scores, he was third on the team in rushing and averaged six yards per carry, while catching 11 passes for 149 yards and two scores. Tough for his size, he’s not afraid to run inside when he has to.

5-10, 219-pound sophomore Thomas Rawls, a terrific recruit who stayed relatively close to home and got in a little bit of work last year running 13 times for 79 yards. Big, strong, and quick, he has just enough talent to be a part of the rotation, while 5-10, 176-pound redshirt freshman Justice Hayes has a world of upside as one of the team’s star recruits from last year. Almost certain to go to Notre Dame, he changed his mind late in the game but now will have to fight to get work. At 5-10 and 176 pounds he’s not all that big, but he has great hands, 4.45 speed, and has the look and the ability to be the exact type of back who can put up huge numbers in the Hoke/Borges attack. He’s a flash around the corner.

The offense doesn’t really use a fullback all that often, but 6-0, 228-pound junior Stephen Hopkins will occasionally be used like one. He’s a tough, bruising back with 4.5 speed who ran for 151 yards and four scores two years ago and 43 yards last season. This year he’ll be more of a short-yardage runner and blocker.

Watch Out For … Toussaint to go ballistic. MiQuale Lewis became a statistical superstar under Hoke at Ball State running for 1,732 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2008, and Ronnie Hillman went nuts running through the wide open spaces for 1,532 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2010 at San Diego State. If Toussaint can stay healthy he’ll be a lock for 1,500 yards.
Strength: Denard Robinson. The Michigan running backs aren’t going to be keyed on with all 11 sets of defensive eyes making sure No. 16 doesn’t get into the open. The pressure is off. All the Wolverine backs have to do is take the ball and fly through the hole after everyone follows what Robinson is doing.
Weakness: Consistency. Toussaint might have been fantastic over the second half of last season, but he was stuffed by Iowa running for 58 yards on 16 carries and went nowhere against Virginia Tech running for 30 yards on 13 carries. Robinson is still the main man for the ground game.
Outlook: It’s a terrific situation for the Michigan backs. Robinson is the lead dog runner while Toussaint is the main tailback. Smith, Rawls and Hayes will step in and work as role players and can produce when they get their chances, while Hopkins is a good option whenever more power is needed. It would’ve been nice if 2013 top running back recruit Ty Isaac was on the way next year instead of changing his mind to USC, but the future, and the present, are both bright.
Unit Rating: 9

[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif] Receivers

Can Jeremy Gallon build off his terrific season? Mostly a kickoff returner under the old regime, the 5-8, 185-pound junior turned into a steady and productive part of the attack finishing second on the team with 31 catches for 453 yards and three scores, averaging 14.6 yards per play. While he didn’t blow up in any one game, with a five-catch, 73-yard day against Northwestern his best performance, he was steady. Extremely fast, he needs to get the ball in his hands in a variety of ways.

With the emergence of Gallon, now it’s up to Roy Roundtree to find his groove again after catching just 19 passed for 355 yards and two scores. The 6-0, 177-pound senior averaged 18.7 yards per catch, but he only made three grabs over the final four games and was non-existent for stretches in the passing game. The talent is there, catching 72 passes in a second-team All-Big Ten 2010 campaign, and he has the right jersey getting to wear Desmond Howard’s No. 21, but he needs to be a big play performer with Junior Hemingway gone.

6-1, 206-pound sophomore Jerald Robinson is a big, physical target with just enough speed to get by. He’ll be the team’s No. 3 target in the mix, but he first has to show he can make a play with no catches and mostly special teams work last year. He’ll start out working behind Roundtree but will see time in three and four-wide sets. Also in the mix will be 5-10, 172-pound junior Drew Dileo, a quick inside presence who caught nine passes for 121 yards and two scores in a limited role. While he made some nice plays for the offense, he’ll likely most be remembered for completing a pass for a first down off a fake field goal attempt against Virginia Tech.

Replacing tight end Kevin Koger and his 23 catches will be a little bit of a problem. 6-5, 255-pound senior Brandon Moore looks the part, but he hasn’t done much being used mostly as a special teamer. He has the size and can block, but he has to show he can be a receiver.

6-4, 234-pound junior Ricardo Miller will get a look at tight end with good athleticism and smarts, but the star of the position might be new recruit Devin Funchess, a 6-5, 205-pound pass catcher who has yet to fill out his frame but has tremendous upside. Scout’s No. 8 tight end recruit, he might be ready right out of the box.

Watch Out For … Robinson. Gallon is solid and Roundtree should bounce back, but the corps needs another playmaker to pick up the slack with Hemingway gone. Robinson has the size and the upside to eventually be a No. 1 target.
Strength: The running game. It’s not like the passing game is along for the ride in the relatively balanced offense, but it’s not the main mode of transportation. Defenses cheat up to make sure that Denard Robinson and the running game don’t hit the home run, and Michigan receivers benefit seeing plenty of single coverage.
Weakness: A sure-thing No. 1. Hemingway might be gone, but he only caught 34 passes last season. Roundtree should be a go-to, all-star type of target, but he had a rough 2011 and needs to bounce back. Gallon could use an explosive game or three to show he’s ready to be the main man.
Outlook: The area needs some work. There’s enough talent to get by, but Robinson isn’t exactly Tom Brady when it comes to making the passing game shine on a consistent basis and the receivers have to do their part. The top three should be solid and Dileo is a good No. 4, but a tight end has to emerge and the receivers have to start doing more.
Unit Rating: 6.5

[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif] Offensive Line

The line did a nice job last season and looks strong coming into this year if it can find a suitable replacement for David Molk in the middle. The leader of the line, Molk was the perfect fit for the transition of coaching staffs, and now it’ll be up to 6-3, 292-pound senior guard Ricky Barnum to take over. While he might not be the talent that Molk was, he’s bigger and he should be able to make the transition without too much of a problem. A career backup, he started three times last season at left guard but now has all the responsibility on his shoulders.

Bringing stability up front is 6-8, 302-pound junior left tackle Taylor Lewan, a second-team All-Big Ten choice after coming up with a solid season as a 13-game starter. More of a leader coming into this season, this will be his line with Molk gone, and he seems to be taking to the role. With his size, athleticism and frame he has the potential to be among the top 50 picks in next year’s draft and could be a first rounder with a great final season and if he can stay healthy.

Taking over for Mark Huyge at right tackle is veteran left guard Michael Scofield, a solid run blocker who was always a bit out of position. At 6-7 and 299 pounds he’s built like a tackle, but he wasn’t going to move Huyge out of a spot. Quick and with a nice frame and a year of experience, he should shine with the move.

With Schofield moving out, 6-5, 310-pound senior Elliott Mealer will move into a full-time job at left guard. A good reserve for the last few years, he has mostly been waiting his turn on special teams and now will get to step in and blast away for the ground game. He’s a huge body for the inside.

6-4, 299-pound senior Patrick Omameh is an academic all-star and a steady, unsung blocker who might start to get all-star recognition for what he does on the field. The Columbus, Ohio native is strong and versatile, able to step in if needed at just about any spot on the line, but he has settled in at right guard where he started every game last year and throughout 2010. He moves well for a right guard.

On the way is Kyle Kalis, a 6-5, 302-pound ready-made tackle who could take over a job from the moment he gets off the bus. Scout’s No. 6 offensive tackle, he has the frame to add at least ten more pounds of good weight while he brings the versatility to play any spot on the line but center. The type of blocker who puts his man into the fourth row, but with the feet to play tackle, he’ll be an anchor for the line in the near future.

For now, the hope is for 6-7, 285-pound sophomore Kristian Mateus to be ready to go after working as a practice player for the last two years. He has the frame and he has the size, but he needs game time to be ready to fill in for Lewan at left tackle if needed. Meanwhile, 6-8, 312-pound junior Erik Gunderson has seen just enough time at right tackle to potentially step in and not force the entire line to shuffle. He’s hardly polished, but he’s massive with long arms.

Watch Out For … Lewan to become an “it” prospect. It’s early, but he projects right now to go anywhere from late in the first round to somewhere around the middle of the third. With rare size and good athleticism, he’ll start to become the showcase blocker for a solid line. He’ll start to move up draft charts as the season goes on.
Strength: Continuity. At times over the last several years losing a leader like Molk and a steady producer like Huyge would set the wheels in motion for a big shuffling job. But Barnum should be fine in the middle and Schofield won’t have too many problems at right tackle. Lewan and Omameh are good blocks to build around, but there’s not as much reworking as it might seem.
Weakness: Depth. There’s size, and it’s Michigan so there’s talent, but there isn’t much to count on in terms of developed depth. The front five was a rock last season with left guard the only spot without the same guy starting all 13 games, and Barnum stepped in for Schofield for a few games early on. It’s asking a lot to get the same continuity again.
Outlook: After a rough 2009 season the line started to progress, tweak, and grow into a strength in 2010 and a force at times last year. There wasn’t as much adjusting to styles as it might have appeared and everyone seemed to take to the new offense without a problem. This group will be fine with a simple job: let Denard be Denard. This line can do that.
Unit Rating: 7.5[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]

 

[TerryP]

CFN on Michigan's Defense:

What You Need To Know: Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison did exactly what the team program needed him to do. Michigan turned its experience and savvy up front into a pass rushing machine with pressure coming from all angles and sides in a night-and-day improvement overall from previous seasons. Losing heart-and-soul linemen Mike Martin and Ryan Van Bergen is a problem, and now it’s up to Will Campbell and the tackles to step up and become rocks on the inside so Craig Roh and the speedy pass rushers can shine. Kenny Demens leads a strong linebacking corps helped by the expected emergence of Desmond Morgan into a statistical star, while the loaded secondary is deep at corner and experienced at safety.

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Returning Leaders
Tackles: Kenny Demens, 94
Sacks: Jordan Kovacs, Craig Roh, 4
Interceptions: Courtney Avery, J.T. Floyd, 2
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Star of the defense: Senior LB Kenny Demens
Player who has to step up and be a star: Senior DT Will Campbell
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore CB Blake Countess
Best pro prospect: Campbell
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Demens, 2) Countess, 3) S Jordan Kovacs
Strength of the defense: Corners, Linebacker
Weakness of the defense: Interceptions, Proven Tackles

[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif] Defensive Line

The line made a night-and-day improvement over the end of 2010 with a far better pass rush and stronger play against the run. However, leading sacker Ryan Van Bergen and his 5.5 sacks are gone from one end putting the pressure on 6-5, 269-pound senior Craig Roh to do even more. The former outside linebacker moved to end late in the 2010 season and last year held down the starting job for all 13 games finishing with 32 tackles with four sacks and eight tackles for loss. The 2008 Gatorade Arizona Player of the Year has a great burst and good closing ability, but now he’s going to be the one keyed on with Van Bergen done.

Stepping in on the other side will be sophomore Brennen Beyer, a promising 6-3, 225-pound who doesn’t have the size but is a pure pass rusher with phenomenal speed. In a perfect world he’d be used as a hybrid outside linebacker in a 3-4 and turned loose into the backfield, but after spending a little time last year as a linebacker making 11 tackles he’ll be an end. If he’s not a regular starter he’ll be a specialist, while 6-2, 228-pound sophomore Frank Clark is another undersized option for the rotation. Extremely fast, he’ll be a pass rusher on the line after making ten tackle last season with a pick against Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl.

6-5, 322-pound senior Will Campbell will not only stay put on the inside of the line, but he should blossom as a full-time starter. A massive widebody who’s built for the nose, he move to the offensive side for a stretch a few years ago before moving back to the D Line. A superstar recruit who hasn’t panned out, he spent last season as a reserve making 14 tackles with two sacks in the rotation. With his size he should be an anchor, but closing out his career with a good, steady season would be enough.

While undersized for a Big Ten tackle at 6-2 and 260 pounds, junior Jibreel Black is strong enough to make up for it. A possible terror of an interior pass rusher, he’s fast off the ball and could shine if Campbell does his job taking up space and occupying blockers. He made 18 tackles with 1.5 sacks as a key reserve, and while he might not look the part and would be better as a 3-4 end, the coaching staff likes him. Because of Black’s size 6-4, 302-pound junior Quinton Washington will see time to hold up against the power running teams. An occasional offensive lineman in specialty packages and special teams, he’s an offensive guard who should be stronger on the defensive side with a little more time. He made one tackle in his limited time.

Also bringing size to the interior is 6-3, 301-pound sophomore Richard Ash, a huge prospect with shocking speed and athleticism for his size and a world of upside. He got a little work in as a nose tackle but didn’t do too much. Now he needs to be a big part of the rotation on the inside and has to be groomed to start next year.

Watch Out For … Beyer. He’s not all that big but he can really, really move. With a full-time motor he should have bursts of games when he cranks up big numbers, but there will be other games when he’s erased and flattened by a big blocker with a head of steam.
Strength: Interior size. Going with an undersized tackle like Black is fine when the rest of the tackles look like they came from NFL central casting. Campbell has all the tools to be a massive presence on the inside and Ash and Washington are big. However, there’s little in the way of …
Weakness: Proven production. Mike Martin was the one who made everything go on the line last season, while Van Bergen was a great complement to Roh on the end when he wasn’t working inside. Yeah, Campbell has a world of upside and skills, but he hasn’t done it yet. The same goes for the rest of the tackles.
Outlook: There doesn’t appear to be any sense of panic even after losing three veteran mainstays in Martin, Van Bergen, and Will Heininger. The coaching staff won’t let this group slip, but it could take a little while to find the right combination. That’s a problem with a date against Alabama out of the gate.
Unit Rating: 7

[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif] Linebackers

Senior Kenny Demens worked his way into the starting lineup in the middle of 2010 and last year he took the job in the middle and made it his. He showed excellent promise two years ago with 82 tackles and then last season led the way with 94 stops with three sacks and five tackles for loss. A star special teamer early on, the former top recruit is a tackling machine with great range and consistency. He’ll be backed up 6-3, 230-pound freshman Joe Bolden, one of the team’s top recruits and the heir apparent to the job for next season. He brings the thump and has tremendous range and toughness with the ability to play any of the three linebacker spots.

Back to his spot on the strongside is 6-3, 230-pound sophomore Jake Ryan after starting most of last season when the defense wasn’t going with a 4-2-5 alignment. Fast and with great upside, he made 37 tackles saving his best for last with seven stops against Virginia Tech. He has the athleticism and speed to do even more in the backfield after coming up with three sacks and seven tackles for loss. He’ll work in the mix with 6-3, 222-pound veteran Cameron Gordon, who came up with four tackles in a limited role thanks to a back problem. The former safety moved to outside linebacker, bulked up, and didn’t see much time after making 66 stops with three picks two years ago. When healthy he has the ability and the speed to be all over the field with the smarts to always be in the right position.

6-1, 220-pound sophomore Desmond Morgan was thrown to the wolves as a true freshman and turned in a fantastic season making 63 tackles with a sack and four tackles for loss. While he’s not all that big he can cut on a dime with the toughness to work inside and out. With ten tackles against Virginia Tech, he ended his season on a high note following a ten-stop game against Ohio State. The sky is the limit, while 6-0, 214-pound senior Brandin Hawthorne will once again work in the equation after making 43 tackles with a sack and three tackles for loss. He started five times last year on the weakside, but Morgan was better.

On the way is Scout’s No. 2 middle linebacker, 6-2, 215-pound Royce Jenkins-Stone, who’s coming off a 145 tackle season and a spot in the U.S. Army All-America game. While he’s decent in pass coverage, he’s at his best when he gets to see a play and go like a guided missile to the ball. Fast, he’ll be at his best in space early on and needs to get functionally stronger to be in the hunt for an inside job

Watch Out For … the true freshmen. Linebacker wasn’t exactly a desperate need to fill for right now, but the coaching staff went out and loaded up for the near future with three blue-chip talents. Jenkins-Stone should be a force while Bolden got to school early and could contribute from Day One. James Ross might not have the ideal tools, but he’s a smart, quick prospect who’ll get it right away as a good weakside defender.
Strength: Tacklers. Demens is about to get all-star recognition as he closes out a good statistical career, while Ryan and Morgan can both hit. Ryan is about to blow up into a statistical star, and if the starting three can stay healthy they’ll combine for well over 150 stops.
Weakness: Raw bulk. It’s nitpicking, but Demens is the only big linebacker hovering around 250 pounds while Ryan is around 230. It’s a bit by design with some of the bigger possible linebackers working as defensive ends, but there are a few who look like beefed up safeties.
Outlook: There’s a good chance that this becomes a major strength if Ryan builds off his strong finish to 2011 and if Demens can be Demens again. If the true freshmen can provide anything right away this will be a deep and talented group that could grow into the best corps the program has had in a long while.
Unit Rating: 8

[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif] Defensive Backs

With help from the pass rush the secondary turned in a big 2011, and it could be even better if true sophomore Blake Countess grows into the star he’s expected to become. At 5-10 and 176 pounds he’s not all that big and he’s a bit thin, but he’s not afraid to tackle with eight stops against Virginia Tech – coming up with some nice open field stops – and finishing with 44 tackles with six broken up passes. He didn’t come up with any picks, but he didn’t take over the starting job until late in the season and it’s just a question of time before he becomes too dangerous to throw at.

Back again is 6-0, 185-pound senior corner J.T. Floyd, who bounced back from a foot injury that limited him in 2010 to make 48 tackles with two picks and a team-leading eight broken up passes. An excellent recruit for Rich Rodriguez, he has all the tools with size, smarts and good athleticism.

6-0, 197-pound senior safety Jordan Kovacs has been one of the team’s best tacklers over the last few seasons finishing second with 75 stops, four sacks and eight tackles for loss last season after making 116 tackles in 2010. Smart, he’s an academic all-star as well as a two-time All-Big Ten selection on the field with great range and speed. The Ohio high school track star isn’t huge, but he’s not afraid to come up with the big stop. He makes up for his lack of big plays when the ball is in the air by bringing it against the run and getting into the backfield.

Veteran Thomas Gordon finished third on the team with 67 tackles with a pick and two broken up passes as a ten game starter at free safety. At 5-11 and 208 pounds he’s big enough for the position and is extremely fast with great range. Able to work in a variety of ways, and be used like a nickel defender at times, the junior can do a little of everything for the secondary.

The Wolverines are loaded at corner. Countess and Floyd are sure things, but Courtney Avery can step in without a problem working behind Countess or in nickel and dime situations. At 5-11 and 173 pounds he’s a bit thin and he isn’t a true blazer, but he makes plays coming up with 26 tackles with two picks – including a game-sealer against Ohio State - and two fumble recoveries taking one 83 yards for a score against Minnesota.

On the way is top recruit Terry Richardson, a 5-9, 160-pound baller who doesn’t have size and isn’t all that fast, but makes up for it with a nose for the ball.

Watch Out For … Countess. Floyd might be the team’s top corner at a loaded position, but Countess has a bigger upside. Eventually he’ll be a dangerous playmaker when the ball is in the air; he’ll need a few picks to be an all-star.
Strength: Experience. The Wolverines have four good starting defensive backs to count on to come up with a strong year. The corners are terrific and Kovacs is like another linebacker against the run. Experience was a plus last year and now it’s a really big deal.
Weakness: Interceptions. The Michigan D was great at getting into the backfield and was strong at getting to the quarterback, but the team only finished with nine picks with the secondary coming up with just seven.
Outlook: After a rough time and dealing with lots of growing pains the Michigan secondary should be fantastic. The corners are deep and talented and the safeties are strong with upside. However, the defensive backs will have to be better at making big plays with the pass rush unlikely to be as strong as it was last year.
Unit Rating: 8

[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif] Special Teams

Junior Brendan Gibbons hit just one of five chances on field goals two years ago, but he bounced back in a big way nailing 13-of-17 kicks last year with a 43-yarder against Ohio State and with two of the misses coming from beyond 40 yards. He might not be a special kicker, but he’s good enough to be counted on.

The punting game has to be far, far better and will be a work in progress. Junior Will Hagerup had a rough year averaging 36 yards per kick and was replaced by Matt Wile, a sophomore who improved things a bit averaging 41.6 yards per kick with four put inside the 20. Both have big legs, and Wile was a top recruit, but consistency is a must.

The kickoff return game has to be far better after finishing 117th in the nation averaging just 18.43 yards per try. Justice Hayes will have to try to add more pop in place of Martavious Odoms, who averaged 21.2 yards per try. WR Jeremy Gallon had a nice year on punt returns averaging 10.1 yards per attempt.

Watch Out For … Hayes. Odoms wasn’t bad, but overall the kickoff return game didn’t work. Hayes has the speed and the potential to turn into a nice replacement who could bust out a few more big plays.
Strength: Gibbons. A major concern going into last year, he found his groove and ended up hitting six of his final seven field goals and nine of his final 11. Going 3-for-3 against Virginia Tech was the difference in a Sugar Bowl win.
Weakness: Punting. Hagerup has a great leg and Wile is solid, but the Wolverines need far more pop out of a punting game that was a disaster at times. One of the two has to rise up and produce.
Outlook: A complete and utter disaster two years ago, the special teams were a bit better last season. They still weren’t a positive, though, needing help and work across the board. The return game has to be better, the coverage teams need help, and the punting game has to improve.
Unit Rating: 5[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]