College Football Talk

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Sporting New's team previews: No. 18 Michigan

(from Sporting News) Lloyd Carr is out. Rich Rodriguez is in. And the world is watching.

It's not just a coaching change in Ann Arbor. It's a cultural change, too. Rodriguez isn't a "Michigan man." He isn't a slave to Michigan traditions. He's even installing a spread-option offense that he used to turn West Virginia into a national power.

Will this seemingly odd marriage work?

A success-starved fan base may not have patience to wait long to find out. If Rodriguez does just one thing in his debut, he must beat Ohio State. The Buckeyes have won six of the last seven meetings — including the past four — and played in the last two BCS title games. But it won't be easy to ease the pain in Ann Arbor with a program in transition.

The cause of much the angst is the apparent absence of a capable quarterback to make Rodriguez's spread offense hum. Ryan Mallett has left for Arkansas following a promising debut as a true freshman. A lumbering dropback passer, Mallett wasn't a fit for this attack.

Steven Threet, Nick Sheridan and freshman Justin Feagin all appear ready to fight for the starting job.

Rodriguez said he might not choose a starter until game week.

But don't be shocked if Michigan, which lost out to — who else? — Ohio State in the derby for mega-recruit Terrelle Pryor, goes with Feagin. He's no Pryor, but Feagin is a stellar athlete with the tools to run this offense.

With Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington both having left early for the NFL, there is no doubt Greg Mathews is Michigan's top veteran wideout. But how many passes will be thrown his way in this offense? Junior Hemingway, LaTerryal Savoy, Toney Clemons and Zion Babb will be in the mix with Mathews. And keep an eye on Darryl Stonum, a decorated incoming freshman who arrived in time for spring drills.

West Virginia tight ends caught no passes last year. But Rodriguez swears he'll use the considerable talents of Carson Butler, Martell Webb and Mike Massey in the slot and as H-backs.

Mike Hart's departure leaves a gaping hole at running back. The answer may be a tailback-by-committee. There is no shortage of candidates to employ in Rodriguez's spread, including Brandon Minor, Kevin Grady and Carlos Brown.

The bellwether up front was supposed to be Justin Boren, but he left the team in a huff in the spring because he felt the program lacked "family values." He figured to start at guard or center, as well as provide leadership for a line that already lost three key cogs, including stud tackle and No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Jake Long and star guard Adam Kraus.

That leaves tackle Steve Schilling as the lone veteran. There are many moving parts for a unit that figures to be in flux until late in fall camp. It's vital for David Molk to prove stable at center.

Michigan has the makings of a strong defense with the return of several key players along the line. Tackle Terrance Taylor is the stalwart. End Brandon Graham has the tools to be a force after showing flashes of greatness in his first year as a starter in 2007. Now is the time for end Tim Jamison to realize his potential.

There is work to do at linebacker. Obi Ezeh, the lone returning starter, showed the instincts and aggressiveness last season that had been missing earlier in his career. Even though he has the dimensions and skills better suited for the inside, John Thompson could be the guy on the strong side if Ezeh lands in the middle. Former safety Jonas Mouton is a dynamic combination of speed and size on the weak side.

Cornerback Morgan Trent is not only the top player on the defense — he also is the top player on the team. In 2007, he ranked second on the squad with 10 pass breakups and picked off two passes. Trent's goal this fall is to become a shutdown force and playmaker.

Michigan has a deadly weapon in punter Zoltan Mesko. He emerged last season, displaying consistency and a strong leg. Now, Mesko looks to solidify a spot as the Big Ten's best punter — and maybe the best in school history.