Let this be the first place you read this in 2004: Michigan will be undefeated and playing for a spot in the Orange Bowl on November 20th at Ohio State.
Most take a passing glance at the 2004 Wolverines and notice there's no Chris Perry, no John Navarre and most of the defensive line needs to be replaced. Upon closer inspection, there are several good, experienced players ready to step in and fill the holes. The defensive line looks to be as good as ever with the emergence of junior tackles Larry Harrison and Gabe Watson along with star-in-the-making pass rusher LaMarr Woodley. The running-back-by-committee approach will work just well enough to take the heat off the passing game, and either Matt Gutierrez or Clayton Richard will walk into a dream situation for a quarterback with the best receiving corps in America to throw to and a nasty line to provide the time.
The difference between another top ten finish and a national championship season will be attitude. Every team sees Michigan as the game of the year, so there can't be any room for a letdown like the near-miss at Minnesota, the first half against Oregon or in the road loss at Iowa. The schedule is tailor-made for an Orange Bowl run with, barring a major upset, the only possible hiccup (sorry Iowa fans) coming at Purdue before the showdown at Columbus. If the intensity is there week after week and there aren't major injuries on the lines, it will be Hail, Hailing in Miami on January 4th.
The Schedule: It should say something that Michigan's "cupcake" game is at Indiana. Miami University and San Diego State are more than good enough to pull off road upsets, while starting off the Big Ten season against Iowa won't be a peach. However, two of the conference road games are at Indiana and Illinois and there's no Wisconsin or Penn State.
Best Offensive Player: Senior WR Braylon Edwards. Assuming Edwards doesn't get the dreaded David Terrell part 2 tag, he should be the first receiver chosen in the 2005 draft if he works on his concentration and route running.
Best Defensive Player: Senior CB Marlin Jackson. Jackson moved to safety to help plug a hole. While he was good, he wasn't great suffering a few bumps and bruises and struggling at times. He moves back to corner where he'll be in the hunt for All-America honors.
Key player to a successful season: You yelled at him. You booed him. You harassed him. Now John Navarre and all his wins and all his yards are gone, so either Matt Gutierrez or Clayton Richard has to step in and shine right away. They don't have to be Heisman-caliber, they just can't screw up. Each needs a little more time and a few more reps, but patience isn't something they're going to get. Just ask Navarre.
The season will be a success if ... wins the Big Ten title. Everyone likes to play for national championships, but it takes a certain element of luck to get a shot at the whole ball of wax. If Michigan can take care of business and win the Big Ten title, everything should work itself out.
Key game: Nov. 20 at Ohio State. The Buckeyes are good enough to win the Big Ten title and screw up Michigan's dream season. The Wolverines made a living in the 1990s of spoiling huge Ohio State seasons, and now the horseshoe could be on the other foot.
2003 Fun Stats:
- First quarter scoring: Michigan 102 - Opponents 24
- Time of possession: Michigan 32:19 - Opponents 27:41
- Passing touchdowns: Michigan 26 - Opponents 9
Most take a passing glance at the 2004 Wolverines and notice there's no Chris Perry, no John Navarre and most of the defensive line needs to be replaced. Upon closer inspection, there are several good, experienced players ready to step in and fill the holes. The defensive line looks to be as good as ever with the emergence of junior tackles Larry Harrison and Gabe Watson along with star-in-the-making pass rusher LaMarr Woodley. The running-back-by-committee approach will work just well enough to take the heat off the passing game, and either Matt Gutierrez or Clayton Richard will walk into a dream situation for a quarterback with the best receiving corps in America to throw to and a nasty line to provide the time.
The difference between another top ten finish and a national championship season will be attitude. Every team sees Michigan as the game of the year, so there can't be any room for a letdown like the near-miss at Minnesota, the first half against Oregon or in the road loss at Iowa. The schedule is tailor-made for an Orange Bowl run with, barring a major upset, the only possible hiccup (sorry Iowa fans) coming at Purdue before the showdown at Columbus. If the intensity is there week after week and there aren't major injuries on the lines, it will be Hail, Hailing in Miami on January 4th.
The Schedule: It should say something that Michigan's "cupcake" game is at Indiana. Miami University and San Diego State are more than good enough to pull off road upsets, while starting off the Big Ten season against Iowa won't be a peach. However, two of the conference road games are at Indiana and Illinois and there's no Wisconsin or Penn State.
Best Offensive Player: Senior WR Braylon Edwards. Assuming Edwards doesn't get the dreaded David Terrell part 2 tag, he should be the first receiver chosen in the 2005 draft if he works on his concentration and route running.
Best Defensive Player: Senior CB Marlin Jackson. Jackson moved to safety to help plug a hole. While he was good, he wasn't great suffering a few bumps and bruises and struggling at times. He moves back to corner where he'll be in the hunt for All-America honors.
Key player to a successful season: You yelled at him. You booed him. You harassed him. Now John Navarre and all his wins and all his yards are gone, so either Matt Gutierrez or Clayton Richard has to step in and shine right away. They don't have to be Heisman-caliber, they just can't screw up. Each needs a little more time and a few more reps, but patience isn't something they're going to get. Just ask Navarre.
The season will be a success if ... wins the Big Ten title. Everyone likes to play for national championships, but it takes a certain element of luck to get a shot at the whole ball of wax. If Michigan can take care of business and win the Big Ten title, everything should work itself out.
Key game: Nov. 20 at Ohio State. The Buckeyes are good enough to win the Big Ten title and screw up Michigan's dream season. The Wolverines made a living in the 1990s of spoiling huge Ohio State seasons, and now the horseshoe could be on the other foot.
2003 Fun Stats:
- First quarter scoring: Michigan 102 - Opponents 24
- Time of possession: Michigan 32:19 - Opponents 27:41
- Passing touchdowns: Michigan 26 - Opponents 9
