Michigan Wolverines
2010 record: 7-6 overall, 3-5 conference
2010 Bowl Game: 52-14 loss versus Mississippi St in Gator Bowl
2010 ATS: 3-10
2010 O/U: 8-5
Returning starters: 16 total (9 on offense, 7 on defense)
Over the month of August, our team of writers will be previewing the top teams heading into an exciting 2011 campaign. The college football handicappers at Maddux Sports are also preparing and have season-long packages readily available for clients. Let’s head to Ann Arbor, Michigan where another coaching staff has taken over.
Offense
Few players captivated the nation more offensively than junior quarterback Denard Robinson, who led the Wolverines to finish the season with the Big Ten’s top-ranked offense, averaging 488.7 yards per game.
A drop off is expected due to a switch from former head coach Rich Rodriguez’s spread offense to a more traditional scheme under Brady Hoke. Robinson will still be considered an explosive player after setting the school’s single-season record for total offense (4,272 yards).
Nine of its top 10 pass catchers return, including junior Roy Roundtree, who many believe will be a breakout star in 2011. He’s the team’s active leader in career receiving yards and receptions and must be accounted for by opposing defenses on every play.
Offensive coordinator Al Borges is aware of the receiving core’s talent, but will be focusing on the backfield in camp. The leading returning rusher in terms of running back is junior Vincent Smith, running for 601 yards and five touchdowns a year ago.
The offensive line lost two starters and will be undergoing the biggest adjustment during the installation of the new offensive scheme. Michigan will have a run through of its new scheme in opening against Western Michigan before a showdown against Notre Dame.
Defense
Easily one of the most scrutinized units on either side of the ball in the entire country, ranking 108th and 110th respectively in scoring and total defense.
Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison will abandon the 3-3-5 scheme instituted under Rodriguez and will go with a conventional 4-3 alignment.
The strength entering a new season will be the defensive line, led by All-Big Ten second-team member Mike Martin. He’s a roadblock that many teams will have to double team in order to run the football.
Kenny Demens figures to be the unquestionable leader by playing the middle linebacker position, making 82 tackles last year after becoming the starter midway through the 2010 campaign.
A lot of the unit’s success will ultimately hinge on cornerbacks Troy Woolfolk and J.T. Floyd, who were missing at crucial points of the season last year due to injury.
Special Teams
Place-kicking duties are up for grabs after Seth Broekhuizen and Brendan Gibbons combined to go 4-for-14 in field goal tries last year.
The punting situation is clear-cut, with the return of sophomore Will Hagerup, who averaged 43.6 yards a punt as a freshman.
Michigan hopes to have more of an opportunity to score in the return game, as the squad returned only 14 punts last year due to a porous offense.
Against the Spread
Michigan is always overvalued by the lines maker due to a fanatical fan base, but managed to cover the number in three of its first five games in 2010. The success against the spread went no further, dropping its final eight contests against the number.
Bet On
The Wolverines will likely take out their frustrations on Eastern Michigan if they happen to fall to the Fighting Irish the previous week. Michigan is 4-0-1 ATS after playing Notre Dame.
Fade Away
Facing in-state rival Michigan State has been a chore against the number recently, especially coming into this year with a 3-8 ATS mark in East Lansing. Watch the college football lines page closely on Oct. 15.
