Being a long time Michigan fan, last season was a HUGE disappointment from jump street. With the core of the offense all opting to return and Ohio State supposedly in a rebuilding year it was BCS Championship game or bust. After game one and losing as 27+ point favorites at home to Appalachian State Michigan went right into "bust" mode. Despite the upset shocker of the Tebow led Florida Gator's in the Capital One Bowl (hosted in Florida of course), Michigan still finished a disappointing 9-4. It is important to note (especially to my boy Chuck O' Luck), despite the whole SEC vs Big 10 debate, with the win over Florida, Michigan improved to 12-4 against historical members of the SEC and 20-5-1 against current members. Take that SEC fan!

With the messy and embarrassing Rodriguez hiring, Michigan is left with something they have not had to answer in a long time: Who in the hell is going to quarterback this team? Regardless what anyone claims, hard to argue there is not a better NFL training ground for quarterbacks than Michigan. With Pryor going to the rival Buckeyes and Mallet saying adios, who is left to toss the pigskin? Will it be Steven Threet who transferred from Georgia Tech or will sophomore Nick Sheridan make a run at the end and jump from the second position? Once the QB mess is figured out, who will catch the ball? Not only did Mario Manningham go pro, so did the 2nd receiver, Adrian Arrington. Word on the street is that Greg Mathews, Junior Hemingway and Toney Clemons should all contribute to the receiving corps, but we shall see.

I know Michigan homers will try and hype up other areas of the team with hopes on players moving up to the #1 spot or tossing in names of incoming freshman, but we should try and be serious here. First off, even though LSU handed them their ass, the Buckeyes were in a rebuilding year. Wisconsin spanked Michigan 37-21 last season and return 17 starters. Penn State, Michigan State and Illinois all should be solid this season. So right now, concede the fact Ohio State and Wisconsin will roll the Wolverines. The also have to play two MAC schools, which are no longer pushovers like they were in the past.

Bottom line? Michigan should slip into a Bowl Game on their name alone. I have read numerous publications and previews that call for a 6-6 record. In reviewing the schedule, I see a 7-5, possibly an 8-4 if the team really takes to the new system and can pull an unexpected win out their ass. Not going to lie, 8-4 is a stretch, but I can't see Michigan shitting the bed against every upper Big 10 team. Being college football season, anything can happen but Johnny Detroit's crystal ball predicts a low level bowl game and a 7-5 record.