2007 Michigan Wolverines College Football Predictions & Season Preview


June 5, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

The Michigan Wolverines come into the 2007 Season as the 3rd ranked team in the country. With Ohio State losing 3 players to the NFL Draft it has opened the door for the Wolverines to capture the Big Ten Title and perhaps a National Championship. Michigan returns 12 starters with 7 coming on offense. The Sky is the limit for this Michigan squad in 2007.

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It’s the last go around for several important players. The focus of the last go around for 3 players will make or break Michigan’s season. Quarterback Chad Henne, tailback Mike Hart and left tackle Jake Long have never participated in a victory over Ohio State or in a bowl game victory. The Michigan offense put up 29.2 points per game last season. That number should get surpassed this season in a pile-up-the-points philosophy. Their offense will have to carry the load, especially early in the season, since the Wolverines only return 4 starters on defense.

Michigan racked up 175.5 rushing yards per game in 2006 and will get another heavy dose from Mike Hart and company in 2007. Hart is just 794 yards short of Anthony Thomas’ record as Michigan’s career rushing leader. Hart should obliterate Thomas’ mark when the season is final. He has Jake Long as the leader up front on his offensive line. Standout left guard Adam Kraus is back to protect Henne and Hart. So is right guard Alex Mitchell and sophomore Justin Boren. Coaches believe Boren is destined for a great career at Michigan.

In 2007 Chad Henne might be asked to throw more than ever. The strong-armed Henne has ridiculous career numbers with 7,777 passing yards, 70 touchdowns and 28 interceptions in 3 seasons as Michigan’s play-caller. Michigan simply cannot pass up the opportunity to utilize this talent quarterback as much as possible. Mario Manningham returns as Henne’s premier target. Manningham averaged 18.5 yards per catch last season and will be another dangerous deep threat for Henne. The problem is with off-the-field troubles of Carson Butler and Adrian Arrington. Butler was kicked off the team following his arrest in March and Arrington, who had 40 catches last season, was suspended for spring practices. They will need young talent to step up in 2007 at the wideout position.

Defensive end LaMarr Woodley, tackle Alan Branch, cornerback Leon Hall and linebacker David Harris are now in the NFL. Ron English, Michigan’s Defensive Coordinator, will have his hands full in assembling a polished defense to replace the 2006 squad that ranked 1st Nationally in rushing yards allowed per game with just 43.4.

Junior nose tackle Terrance Taylor is the only remaining starter up front. Will Johnson and Tim Jamison have some experience and will have to step up when their number is called. Shawn Crable and hard-hitting John Thompson will lead the way at the linebacker position. Although the Wolverines were great against the run last season, their were many holes in their secondary that ranked 89 th in passing yards allowed per game. The secondary is Michigan’s biggest weakness so look for teams that pass the ball well to give the Wolverines the most trouble this year.

Michigan’s schedule is loaded with eight home games, where coach Lloyd Carr is 69-9 (.885) in 12 seasons. The Wolverines play only one road game against a Top 25 opponent in the Wisconsin Badgers. This has to be the year for the Wolverines to go above and beyond any Carr-coached team over the last 12 years. They have all the weapons you could ever ask for returning on offense and this Wolverine’s squad is hungry to prove their critics wrong. Look for the Wolverines to win the Big Ten and make a trip to the National Championship game.

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