Michigan Preview

Many college football analysts, magazines and fans alike are very interested in the situation going on in Ann Arbor this season. Michigan, the university with the most wins in college football history is not making news on how high they may finish, but how low.

Many predict Michigan to finish in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten this year, maybe 5th or 6th. Sports Illustrated even went as far as to predict that the Wolverines would finish 8th with a 5-7 overall record. Im not buying it. I too am thinking that Michigan will be down a bit this season...but to not even make a bowl? I say Michigan will drop, but can still come through with 7 or 8 wins, and here is my reasoning behind it.

All the focus has been put on the fact Michigan doesn't have a running quarterback. This is true but Rich Rodriguez has also ran successful offenses with throwing quarterbacks. The biggest example of this is when he coached Shaun King at Tulane and allowed him to be drafted into the NFL as a passer, not a runner.

Michigan also has too much talent to not make a Bowl game. The talent surrounding the Michigan quarterback, most likely Steven Threet consists of dozens of blue chip prospects such as top recievers Greg Matthews, Daryl Stonum and Toney Clemons. A very talented backfield with Carlos Brown, Brandon Minor and true freshman Sam McGuffie and Michael Shaw. Look for McGuffie and Shaw to play plenty right away, being used in Reggie Bush type situations getting out in the open field and allowing their athletic ability to take over.

The defense is going to be tough this year with guys like Brandon Graham and Terrance Taylor applying the pressure up front. Linbackers Obi Ezeh and Jonus Mouton being able to cover sideline to sideline. And maybe one of the best defensive backfields in a while at Michigan with Donovan Warren, Morgan Trent, Boubacar Cissoko and Stevie Brown.

On top of all the talent, Michigan also has a different, more aggresive philosophy on how to use this top talent. I believe gone are the days of laying back hoping the talent will come through. Here are the days of aggressive play, making sure the top talent not only comes through, but dominates.

FavreCenter

Wow, SportsCenter has been a joy to watch in the last couple weeks. They have brought us such insights as Brett Favre ran a penalty lap at practice for dropping a snap .... and Brett Favre's arm is tired.

I think I speak for everyone outside of New York when I say, who the Hell cares??? I could care less if a 38 year old quarterback runs a lap at practice or is tuckered out from a day of throwing.

Dear ESPN Brass,

Can your crack squad of elite reporters dig a little deeper into the sports world for information rather then giving us a minute by minute analysis of Favre's every training camp move?

Sincerely,

The General Public

Redeem Team Shooting Needs to Improve

Team USA has gotten past China and Angola easily in the first two games of the Olympics, but they now are heading into a much more difficult stretch of games. Upcoming on the schedule are Spain and Greece.

In games 1 & 2, its looked more like an NBA All-Star game with tons of dunking and big blocked shots. What's been lacking from Team USA is 3 point shooting. The Americans shot 5-of-21 from behind the arc against Angola and just 7-of-24 against the Chinese.

Now some of that I'm sure has to do with the American players trying to adjust to a shorter 3 point line, a different feel to the ball and not being used to being so wide open for shots. However, to beat the Spanish and Greek teams, the guards need to start knocking down the long ball.

Rich Rodriguez vs Mike Martz

The word out of U of M training camp is of course the noticeable differences in the offensive sets from Lloyd Carr to Rich Rodriguez. Rodriguez has empty backfields, two tailbacks in the backfield, running backs lining up as receivers and receivers lining up as running backs. It all sounds very fun and exciting given Michigan's past monotonous ground and pound offense. However, I just can't help but worry that this will all end much like the fate of Mike Martz's tenure in Detroit.

As a life long Michigan fan, I hope this of course turns out better then the Mike Martz era in Detroit. And I know Rodriguez has proven himself at multiple schools and has more of a commitment to the run then that of Martz....but it just all sounds too similar to the excitement that Martz generated when he rode into town his first year as a Lion and I am keeping my hopes low for the moment.

The one thing I do know is that U of M's new offense will be tested in Week 1 against a team that is no joke in the Utah Utes.

Takeo Spikes to Lions or Niners?

Detroit Lions sources are saying the team has offered free agent linebacker Takeo Spikes a contract and are just waiting to hear back if he accepts the offer or not. Coach Marinelli has said should the Lions sign Spikes he'd love to put him at strong side linebacker. Ernie Sims and Takeo Spikes together? That sounds like a great tandem!

Although other NFL sources are reporting that Spikes is on his way to San Francisco to take a physical. The 49ers offered Spikes a one-year, $1.5 million contract a month ago, but he turned it down.

Favre to Start Preseason Game 2

NY Jets Head Coach Eric Mangini announced today that Brett Favre would be the starting Quarterback for game 2 of the preseason despite Favre having just reported to training camp a couple days ago and still has to learn a totally new offense. Mangini then broke the news to Favre that the Jets were 4-12 last year and are not expected to be any better this year..... Favre is expected to tearfully retire again by wednesday.

Placido Chokes Up

The Onion Sports caught Placido Polanco choking up on the bat at a recent game.