Big expectations for Big Blue
The Big Ten media pegs Michigan to win the league, which suggests a season that ends no worse than with the school's fourth trip to the Rose Bowl in the last five years.
The nation's coaches rank Michigan as the No. 5 team in their preseason poll, which suggests the Wolverines have a legitimate shot at a spot in the BCS Championship game.
So why isn't everybody who bleeds Maize and Blue giddy about their team's prospects this season?
Perhaps this little stat provides some perspective:
Over the last six seasons, here's Michigan's record in games played on Nov. 17 or before: 53-10.
Now, here's Michigan's record in games played on Nov. 18 or later: 2-10.
In other words, the Wolverines are fine until it comes time for Ohio State and the annual bowl game.
And don't think they don't know it.
"Obviously we have a lot to prove from last year," said senior Chad Henne, a top candidate for all national quarterback awards. "We lost the last two games.
"We definitely want to go out as winners. This year, we're putting a lot of pressure on ourselves as leaders to lead this team to a championship.
"As seniors, we'll go to each other's apartment and we'll hang out. I mean, our lives are football. It's expressed in every conversation that we make … it's just always in the back of our mind."
Since that's the case, then surely the Wolverines recognize how everything sets up for a run worthy of the 1997 co-national champions.
Michigan has eight games this season at the Big House, where it has lost just four times in the last seven years.
Of the Wolves' four road games, only one (at No. 7 Wisconsin on Nov. 10) comes against a team that received votes in the preseason ESPN-USA Today poll.
Then there's the remarkable volume of talented veterans on this squad.
According to NFLDraftScout.com, Henne and senior left tackle Jake Long project as top 10 picks next April in the NFL draft. Running back Mike Hart, who needs just 794 yards to become Michigan's all-time leading rusher, projects as a late first-rounder.
The 5-foot-9, 196-pound Hart toted the ball 318 times last season -- more than everyone in the country except Rutgers' Ray Rice -- but coach Lloyd Carr thinks he can handle at least that much of a workload this time around.
"You look at Mike Hart, you're going to see a guy who's much stronger, much bigger than a year ago," Carr said. "He did not play spring practice -- he had a (shoulder) injury in the Rose Bowl game -- so he has concentrated on building his strength."
In addition to the Long-Henne-Hart trio, guard Adam Kraus, linebacker Shawn Crable and safety Jamar Adams all are predicted to be first-day picks.
While offense certainly won't be an issue, Michigan must replace seven starters on defense. That includes four guys who went among the first 47 picks in last April's NFL draft.
Several talented, but inexperienced, Wolverines await their chance to shine. That group includes a fistful of freshmen -- Donovan Warren, James Rogers II and Troy (son of Butch) Woolfolk -- who could make an immediate impact in the secondary.
There's one other factor, albeit obscure, that suggests special things in the offing for Michigan.
Remember the cutoff date for when recent U-M teams have switched from great to awful?
This year, Michigan's season-ending battle with Ohio State at home is scheduled for Nov. 17 -- the earliest date for "The Big Game" since 1984.
Michigan
Coach: Lloyd Carr (13th year, 113-36).
2006 record: 11-2, 7-1 (tied for 2nd); lost to Southern Cal 32-18 in Rose Bowl.
Last bowl miss: 1974
All-Big Ten candidates: QB Chad Henne, RB Mike Hart, WR Mario Manningham, LT Jake Long, LG Adam Kraus, OLB Shawn Crable, S Jamar Adams.
The Wolverines will go to a BCS bowl: If they win at Wisconsin on Nov. 10
BCS finish the last five years (2006 listed first*): 3rd, 20th, 13th, 4th, 11th.
*Ratings (courtesy CollegeBCS.com) are pre-bowls.
-- Lindsey Willhite
Schedule
Sept. 1 APPALACHIAN ST. 11 a.m.
Sept. 8 OREGON 2:30 p.m.
Sept. 15 NOTRE DAME 2:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 PENN STATE TBA
Sept. 29 at Northwestern TBA
Oct. 6 E. MICHIGAN TBA
Oct. 13 PURDUE 11 a.m.
Oct. 20 at Illinois 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 MINNESOTA TBA
Nov. 3 at Michigan State TBA
Nov. 10 at Wisconsin TBA
Nov. 17 OHIO STATE TBA