2008 Michigan Wolverines Football Preview

2008 Michigan Wolverines season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Michigan Wolverines football preview as well as the 2008 Michigan Wolverines Football Schedule. Dont miss Maddux's free college football picks on the weekly college football odds from the #1 sports handicapping team.

Coach: Rich Rodriguez (1st year at Michigan)
Team Name: Wolverines
2007 Overall Record: 9-4
Returning Starters: 10

The Michigan Wolverines (9-4 overall, 6-2 Big Ten) finished second in the conference and went to the Capitol One Bowl, beating Florida 41-35. This year the Wolverines put a team on the field that’s missing eight starters on offense. Will that spoil their bowl chances?

Offense is certainly worrisome for this team. The problem is simple—the Wolverines have lost the school’s all-time leading RB, Mike Hart, the club’s all-time leading QB, Chad Henne, and Michigan’s two most productive receivers. Offensive tackle Jake Long, the NFL’s 2008 number one draft pick, is also gone. Yikes! Freshman Steven Threet and sophomore Nick Sheridan may share the signal calling spot. A bunch of juniors will get a chance to run, including Brandon Minor (90 CAR, 385 YDS, 1 TD). Another junior, Greg Mathews (39 REC, 366 YDS, 3 TDs) will lead the receiving unit, while the all-important offensive line is just about all new. On that squad, sophomore tackle Stephen Schilling is the only one with starting experience.

The defense, which allowed 21.4 PPG (23rd nationally), with teams getting just 178.9 YDS in the air (8th nationally), looks to be tough again this season. Three starters return for the secondary. Upfront looks extremely good with four guys back. Nose tackle Terrance Taylor, a senior, is big and tough, while end Brandon Graham, a junior, is ready to have a breakout season. Although the linebacking unit returns just one starter, sophomore Obi Ezeh, overall this is a fine group.

This team will have a tough time beating Ohio State on November 22. If they do, Michigan will have the upset of the season. They play OSU on the road; it’s their final regular season game. Swing contests include back-to-back home games versus Wisconsin (September 24) and Illinois (October 4). The outcome away at Penn State on October 18 is tough to call.

In 15 years, head coach Rich Rodriguez has compiled a 105-62-2 record. This is his first season at Michigan, replacing retired head coach Lloyd Carr. The last time Michigan did not go to a bowl game was in 1974. Look for them to be in their 35th post-season contest this season.

Michigan Wolverines Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Away
Aug 30	Utah	Home
Sep 6	Miami Ohio	Home
Sep 13	Notre Dame	Away
Sep 27	Wisconsin	Home
Oct 4	Illinios	Home
Oct 11	Toledo	Home
Oct 18	Penn State	Away
Oct 25	Michigan State	Home
Nov 1	Purdue	Away
Nov 8	Minnesota	Away
Nov 15	Northwestern	Home
Nov 22	Ohio St	Away

 

For more info on the 2008 Michigan Wolverines football program, view their official website or read up on the rest of the Big Ten foes below.