Wait and Hope

It is May. The Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan, sits quietly, void of bells, screams, chants, and jeers. There are no students leading "Go Blue" or "You Suck" chants, while standing the entire game. There are no relatively low-key alumni enjoying their status by sitting down. There are no opposing fans being thrown out by talking too loudly in Maize and Blue territory. But there will be. The Big House, the University of Michigan's football haven, eagerly waits in preparation for the havoc, chaos, and unexpected turns that will ensue. Thousands of students, alumni, and fans are spread around the world - but when fall comes, they will find themselves back in the Big House. For those who don the Maize and Blue, there is much anticipation for the upcoming football season. Michigan recently concluded the worst football season in their century-plus history. Starters like Steve Threet, Sam McGuffie, Greg Matthews, and Brandon Graham were unable to steer Michigan from a notorious mark of 3-9. First-year coach Rich Rodriguez failed to lead the Wolverines to a bowl game for the first time in 33 years. Perhaps even more embarrassing is that last season Michigan lost to a MAC team, Toledo, for the first time in 29 years. The egress of accomplished coach Lloyd Carr and the ingress of the new spread offense did not bode well for Rodriguez's first attempt. Many loyal fans, however, do not believe that the worst season in Michigan football's history is cause for concern. They point to the fact that Rodriguez had a similar track record as a coach for West Virginia. There, he took a rebuilding team, had a poor first season, and then improved each season, eventually helping make West Virginia a contender for the national championship. Looking ahead to this next season, the Wolverines hope that history repeats itself. There are many promising signs for returned success to the Wolverines football program. The core of Michigan's team last season, including wide receivers Greg Matthews and Martavious Odoms, linebacker Brandon Graham, and running back Brandon Minor are returning. The only significant departures were the transfers of quarterback Steven Threet and running back Sam McGuffie and the departure of defensive back Morgan Trent to the NFL Draft. There are 22 new committed players to Michigan this season, including 12 four-star recruits. Last season, there were significant problems at the quarterback position: Starter Steven Threet did not fit the spread quarterback mold, and back-up Nick Sheridan was too inconsistent with his passing. This season, four-star recruits Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier will battle for the right to play under center. Both are perfect fits for the spread option system; Forcier was ranked fifth in the nation as a dual-threat quarterback by Rivals.com, and Robinson was the fastest recruit in the nation at his position. Fitzgerald Toussaint is a four-star recruit running back, nationally ranked as the number eight all-purpose back, who could immediately contribute to the Wolverines backfield. However, the strongest areas of Michigan's 2009 recruiting class are the defensive and offensive lines; this year, there are five four-star recruits at the offensive line or defensive end positions. The most impressive new recruit, however, is five-star recruit William Campbell from Detroit, Michigan. Blessed with massive size (6'5", 317 lbs.) and strength, he is a defensive tackle that will be able to anchor Michigan's defensive line for years. Rivals rated him as a player that has strong NFL potential. Upon the news of Campbell's commitment, ESPN's Bill Conley said, "Rich Rodriguez needed some good news after recent decommits so the verbal by Campbell has helped stop the bleeding. The Wolverines are, however, putting together a very solid class." Meanwhile, thousands of Wolverine fans around the world wait and hope that this recruiting class will make a difference, the spread option offense will start to make more sense, and that Rich can do in Michigan what he did in West Virginia. Either way, with an unprecedented high level of anticipation there will be no need for surprise when the marked, and loud, change befalls the Big House this fall.

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