Brady Hoke is the new head man in Ann Arbor, Michigan at the top of college football’s winningest all-time program, and fans are excited to say the least.
That’s despite Hoke’s career losing record, but Hoke gets a lot of credit, and deservingly so, for turning around the moribund Ball State program and also San Diego State, giving many fans hope.
Michigan football’s 2011 season predictions have so far hovered around the 7-10 win mark with a fair amount of deviation.
That’s because there are a ton of different factors to take into account when it comes to Michigan’s 2011 projected results. The Wolverines have a lot more talent than people give them credit for from an athletic standpoint as former national title-winning coach Urban Meyer pointed out in his visit for ESPN U to Ann Arbor, and a lot of people forget just how young they were last season when they still made it to a New Year’s Day bowl game.
The Wolverines have a tough schedule yet again in the new two-division Big Ten, with Nebraska and myriad rivals on the docket in league play.
Here are three keys for Michigan’s 2011 season to have a positive result:
1. Defensive 180- The Wolverines were atrocious on defense last year as one of the worst such units in the NCAA. New DC Greg Mattison brings a strong pedigree as a former Baltimore Ravens and Florida Gators coordinator and he knows how to get the most out of his players with complex schemes.
Michigan didn’t have a lot of depth last year but they have some smart players in Mike Martin, Jordan Kovacs, Kenny Demens and more. This year they might finally have depth at key spots, especially CB with JT Floyd and Troy Woolfolk coming back from injuries. They might not be great but they should be much improved and give up far fewer big plays.
2. Transition to pro set- The new pro-style offense (quote-unquote) ran by Al Borges will be a tough transition for some players. The linemen will need to be tougher at the point of attack and the running backs need to step up. All eyes are on Denard Robinson at QB, however, but early returns are good on him under center as he played in that fashion in high school and has some comfort.
3. Unexpected contributions- Some new, younger players have to step up because some of the veterans haven’t been getting it done. Contrary to some popular opinions, Rich Rodriguez had good recruiting classes on paper and the Wolverines have some talented young guys waiting in the wings.
OLB Jake Ryan could be a pass-rushing star this year if the spring game is any indication. Other young guys who could step up are another spring game star, FS Carvin Johnson, and perhaps even a freshman running back such as Thomas Rawls or Justice Hayes. If not those two, Mike Cox could be the next star running back even though he’s been on campus for years and buried on the depth chart. He will be a better fit in the I-form.
2011 Michigan Football Season Prediction: Expect a solid 8-win season from the Wolverines this year, mainly because they still have tons of talent on offense and the defense should be shored up enough to finally compete again. But more importantly, don’t expect to see the same kinds of head-scratching blowouts and mental errors that plagued Rodriguez’s young teams which might count for even more in the hearts of long-time Michigan fans.
