2010 College Football Predictions: Michigan

2010 College Football Predictions: Michigan

Michigan got off to a 5-2 start in 2009 before losing its final five games. It is certainly worth noting that the Wolverines could have easily started the season 7-0. They fell at Michigan State in overtime and at Iowa by only two points after winning their first four games. Head coach Rich Rodriguez is beginning to put his stamp on this football team, but he may not get the chance to see this thing through. All Michigan cares about is winning. When they look at Rodriguez, all they see is his 8-16 record in two seasons. If Rodriguez can't get Michigan to a bowl game in year three, it appears he will be given the boot. Rodriguez came to Michigan renowned for his offensive mind, and the Wolverines should once again be one of the best offensive teams in the Big Ten. Most of the question marks are on the defensive side of the football. A unit that allowed opponents to score 30 or more points seven times last season could be what ends up costing Rodriguez his job.

Offense - Scoring 29.5 points per game, the Wolverines ranked No. 3 in the Big Ten in scoring offense in 2009. They really had it going early in the season, scoring 28 or more points in six of their first seven games, but they only managed to exceed that mark once in their final five games. Quarterbacks Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson were forced to grow up in a hurry last year. They gained vital game experience that will prove beneficial this season. Plus, I expect them both to take their games to a new level while being pushed from true freshman Devin Gardner. When it's all said and done, I expect Forcier to emerge as the starter once again. The kid showed a lot of toughness last season, and he has already built chemistry with Michigan's talented receiving corps. Rodriguez will still find ways to get Robinson the football. He averaged over five yards per carry on just 69 rushing attempts in 2009. Michigan's talented receiving unit includes Roy Roundtree, Martavious Odoms, Junior Hemingway, and Darry Stonum. Expect the offense to be more consistent and more explosive in 2010.

Defense: Despite boasting talented performers like Brandon Graham, Stevie Brown and Donovan Warren, the Wolverines still ranked eighth in the league in scoring defense and ninth in total defense. These three will be missed, but Michigan is hoping that a change to a 3-3-5 scheme will enable the defense to improve. The key will be stopping the run. The Wolverines ranked No. 10 in the Big Ten in rushing defense last year, allowing 171.9 yards per game. You just can't beat teams like Iowa, Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State if you can't stop the run. The Wolverines do return almost everyone up front so there is reason to believe they can do a better job of run-stuffing this season. Highly regarded defensive tackle Mike Martin will especially need to be a beast for Michigan to take the next step.

Prediction - 5th Big Ten - It won't be easy, but I like Michigan to find its way into a bowl game in 2010. The Wolverines have the potential to get off to another fast start. They'll likely be at least 4-1 when in-state rival Michigan State comes to town. But the success of this season will be determined by how well the Wolverines finish. They finished poorly in 2009, but there is reason to believe they can do better in the home stretch this time around. Be sure to check out how I have the rest of the league shaping up in my 2010 Big Ten Football predictions.

Crush the college football lines this season with the help of Jimmy Boyd's expert football picks!

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