2007 Michigan Wolverines Additional Information

[3yardsandacloud]

Additional Information




Coaching Staff

Head Coach:
Official School Bio - Lloyd Carr

Assistant Coaches:
Official School Bios - Assistant Coaches
Defensive Secondary: Vance Bedford
Assistant Head Coach / Wide Receivers: Erik Campbell
Offensive Coordinator / Tight Ends: Mike DeBord
Defensive Coordinator: Ron English
Associate Head Coach / Running Backs: Fred Jackson
Quarterbacks: Scot Loeffler
Offensive Line: Andy Moeller
Defensive Line: Steve Stripling
Linebackers: Steve Szabo
Offensive Graduate Assistant: Kurt Anderson
Defensive Graduate Assistant: Glen Steele
Offensive Quality Control: David Hutchison
Defensive Quality Control: Tom Burpee
Special Teams Quality Control: Jamie Brown
Director of Weight Training and Conditioning: Mike Gittleson
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Kevin Tolbert​

Recruiting

Starters Returning: 12 (Offense 6, Defense 4, Special Teams 1)
Letterman Returning: 37 (Offense 18, Defense 18, Special Teams 1)
Notable Returners:
Offense:
Mike Hart RB 5-9 196 Sr.
Chad Henne QB 6-2 224 Sr.
Adam Kraus LG 6-6 297 5th Sr.
Jake Long LT 6-7 313 5th Sr.
Mario Manningham WR 6-0 182 Jr.
Alex Mitchell RG 6-5 317 Sr.

Defense:
Jamar Adams S 6-2 210 Sr.
Shawn Crable OLB 6-5 241 5th Sr.
Terrance Taylor DT 6-0 305 Jr.
Morgan Trent CB 6-1 184 Sr.

Specialists:
Zoltan Mesko P 6-4 230 Jr.


Starters Lost: 15 (Offense 5, Defense 7, Special Teams 4)
Letterman Lost: 31 (Offense 13, Defense 15, Special Teams 3)
Notable Losses:
Mark Bihl, C; Steve Breaston, WR; Tyler Ecker; TE*; Obi Oluigbo, FB; Rueben Riley, RT; Willis Barringer, S; Rondell Biggs, DE; Alan Branch, DT; Prescott Burgess, LB; Leon Hall, CB; David Harris, LB; LaMarr Woodley, DE; Turner Booth, LS; Steve Breaston, PR/KR; Garrett Rivas, PK; Ross Ryan, HLD


Incoming Recruits:

Michigan Wolverines Past Recruiting Classes

2004 Recruiting Class
DE Tim Jamison (Thornton Twp HS) Harvey, IL 6-3/230
WR Adrian Arrington (G. Washington HS) Cedar Rapids, IA 6-4/180
WR Doug Dutch (Gonzaga College HS) Washington, DC 6-0/190
LB Johnny Thompson (Crockett Vocational Tech) Detroit, MI 6-2/230
**DT Alan Branch (Cibola HS) Albuquerque, NM 6-6/315
**S Keston Cheathem (Pomona SHS) Pomona, CA 6-2/185
**DT Marques Walton (Hubbard HS) Chicago, IL 6-2/280
OL Brett Gallimore (Park Hill South HS) Riverside, MO 6-5/290
DE Mike Massey (St. Ignatius HS) Cleveland, OH 6-5/235
LB Chris Graham (Warren Central HS) Indianapolis, IN 5-11/205
S Jamar Adams (David W Butler HS) Matthews, NC 6-3/190
QB Chad Henne (Wilson HS) West Lawn, PA 6-3/210
OL Jeremy Ciulla (Kennesaw Mountain HS) Kennesaw, GA 6-5/275
RB Mike Hart (Onondaga HS) Nedrow, NY 5-10/175
CB Charles Stewart (Harrison HS) Farmington Hills, MI 6-1.5/190
OL Alex Mitchell (Central HS) Bay City, MI 6-6/315
OL Grant DeBenedictis (St. Andrews School) Boca Raton, FL 6-6/275
DT Will Johnson (Lake Orion Community HS) Lake Orion, MI 6-4/285
**LB Roger Allison (Lake Orion Community HS) Lake Orion, MI 6-2/230
**DE Chris Rogers (North Allegheny SHS) Wexford, PA 6-3/240
**RB Max Martin (Bob Jones HS) Madison, AL 6-1.5/216
WR Morgan Trent (St. Mary Prep) Orchard Lake, MI 6-1/180

**No longer with team

Fun Facts:
The Wolverine class of 2004 was ranked 5th in the nation by both Scout.com and Rivals.com. Both sites tabbed it as tops in the Big-10 ...

The class was headlined by 5-star prospect Chad Henne (#4 QB by Scout.com) and 4-star prospects Tim Jamison (#8 DE), Will Johnson (#9 DT), and Adrian Arrington (#11 WR) ...

Doug Dutch, Chad Henne, Tim Jamison all participated in the 2004 U.S. Army All-American Bowl ...

Tim Jamison's brother Terrance is a DE for the Wisconsin Badgers ...

Mike Massey's father, Jim, played football at the University of Notre Dame from 1968-71. His oldest brother, Jim Jr., played football at Ohio State from 1997-2001. His brother, Pat, was a defensive lineman for the Wolverines (2001-05) and co-captain in 2005 ...

Morgan Trent's father, Phillip, played football at Nebraska ...


2005 Recruiting Class
**DT James McKinney (Central HS) Louisville, KY 6-3/263
**DT Eugene Germany (Pomona SHS) Pomona, CA 6-4.5/260
RB Andre Criswell (Renaissance HS) Detroit, MI 6-0/225
**CB Chris Richards (James Monroe HS) Sepulveda, CA 5-11/165
DT Marques Slocum (West Philadelphia Catholic) Philadelphia, PA 6-5/335
WR Antonio Bass (Jackson HS) Jackson, MI 6-2/195
OL David Moosman (Libertyville HS) Libertyville, IL 6-4/260
LB Brandon Logan (Lexington Catholic HS) Lexington, KY 6-1/210
CB Brandon Harrison (Chaminade Julienne HS) Dayton, OH 5-8.5/190
OL Cory Zirbel (Murray HS) Murray, KY 6-7/292
OL Mark Ortmann (Klein HS) Klein, TX 6-6/270
**QB Jason Forcier (St. Augustine HS) San Diego, CA 6-2/205
DE Carson Butler (Renaissance HS) Detroit, MI 6-6/230
DT Terrance Taylor (Muskegon HS) Muskegon, MI 6-1/285
OL Tim McAvoy (Bloomington HS) Bloomington, IL 6-7/270
LB Chris McLaurin (St. Mary Prep) Orchard Lake, MI 6-4/225
P Zoltan Mesko (Twinsburg HS) Twinsburg, OH 6-4/230
**RB Mister Simpson (Colerain HS) Cincinnati, OH 6-0/210
**CB Johnny Sears (Edison HS) Fresno, CA 6-1/175
WR Laterryal Savoy (Mamou HS) Mamou, LA 6-2/195
WR Mario Manningham (Warren G. Harding HS) Warren, OH 6-0/180
**OL Justin Schifano (Webster HS) Webster, NY 6-4.5/302
RB Kevin Grady (East Grand Rapids HS) East Grand Rapids, MI 5-10/225

Fun Facts:
The Michigan class of 2005 was rated 2nd in the country by Scout.com and 6th by Rivals.com. Both rankings were tops in the Big-10 ...

The class was headlined by 5-star prospects Marques Slocum (#5 DT by Scout.com) and Kevin Grady (#5 RB) and 4-star prospects Mario Manningham (#7 WR), Jason Forcier (#8 QB), and Antonio Bass (#9 WR) ...

Marques Slocum went to prep school for a year and was actually a part of the 2006 class ...

Slocum and Zoltan Mesko participated in the 2005 U.S. Army All-American Bowl ...

Brandon Logan's older brother, John, played football at the University of Kentucky ...

Mario Manningham is the cousin of former Michigan and San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Bubba Paris ...

Tim McAvoy's father, Tim, played football at Illinois and was coached by Lloyd Carr ...


2006 Recruiting Class
S Jonas Mouton (Venice SHS) Los Angeles, CA 6-2/208
DT Jason Kates (Bishop McDevitt HS) Harrisburg, PA 6-3/320
DT Adam Patterson (Richland NE HS) Columbia, SC 6-3/255
OL Steve Schilling (Bellevue HS) Bellevue, WA 6-5/290
RB Brandon Minor (Varina HS) Richmond, VA 6-0/210
**DE Quintin Woods (Flint SW Academy) Flint, MI 6-6/215
RB Carlos Brown (Heard County HS) Franklin, GA 6-0/195
DT Greg Banks (Montbello HS) Denver, CO 6-5/260
RB Obi Ezeh (Catholic Central HS) Grand Rapids, MI 6-2/220
OL Perry Dorrestein (Plainfield HS) Plainfield, IL 6-7/305
K Bryan Wright (Salem HS) Salem, OH 6-1/200
WR Greg Mathews (Edgewater HS) Orlando, FL 6-3/190
DE John Ferrara (Msgr Farrell HS) Staten Island, NY 6-5/255
CB Steve Brown (Columbus East HS) Columbus, IN 6-1/200
**LB Cobrani Mixon (Colerain HS) Cincinnati, OH 6-2/225
QB David Cone (Statesboro HS) Statesboro, GA 6-6/205
**LB Quintin Patilla (Carman-Ainsworth HS) Flint, MI 6-2/200
OL Justin Boren (Pickerington North HS) Pickerington, OH 6-3/315
LB Brandon Graham (Crockett Vocational Tech) Detroit, MI 6-2/251

Fun Facts:
The Wolverine class of 2006 was ranked 9th by Scout.com and 13th by Rivals.com. Scout tabbed the class as 2nd best in the Big-10, while Rivals rated it 3rd ...

The class was headlined by 5-star prospects Brandon Graham (#3 LB by Scout), Steve Schilling (#3 OL), Jonas Mouton (#6 OL), and Justin Boren (#7 OL) ...

Boren, Schilling, Mouton, Graham, and Steve Brown all participated in the 2006 U.S. Army All-American Bowl ...

Justin Boren's father, Mike, played LB for Michigan ...

Greg Mathews is the cousin of former Buckeye and current Miami Dolphin WR Ted Ginn, Jr ...

Bryan Wright's father played football at the University of Cincinnati and for the Chicago Bears ...


2007 Recruiting Class
CB Donovan Warren (Polytechnic HS) Long Beach, CA 6-1/176
DE Renaldo Sagesse (Cegep Du Vieux) Montreal, QC 6-4/320
S Michael Williams (St. Bonaventure HS) Ventura, CA 5-10.5/187
LB Marell Evans (Varina HS) Richmond, VA 6-2/204
LB Brandon Herron (Dulles HS) Sugar Land, TX 6-2/200
LB Austin Panter (Butler County JC) El Dorado, KS 6-3/235
C Mark Huyge (Catholic Central HS) Grand Rapids, MI 6-6/275
WR Toney Clemons (Valley SHS) New Kensington, PA 6-3/195
WR Zion Babb (Alhambra HS) Alhambra, CA 6-2/180
WR J.R. Hemingway (Conway HS) Conway, SC 6-1.5/202
RB Avery Horn (Hanford HS) Hanford, CA 5-10/180
C Dave Molk (Lemont Twp HS) Lemont, IL 6-1/270
TE Steve Watson (Mullen HS) Denver, CO 6-4/240
CB Troy Woolfolk (Dulles HS) Sugar Land, TX 5-10/170
S James Rogers (Lamphere HS) Madison Heights, MI 6-1/185
TE Martell Webb (Northern HS) Pontiac, MI 6-5/210
QB Ryan Mallett (Texas HS) Texarkana, TX 6-6/220
DE Ryan Van Bergen (Whitehall SHS) Whitehall, MI 6-5/250
S Artis Chambers (R Nelson Snider HS) Ft. Wayne, IN 6-2/185
FB Vince Helmuth (Saline HS) Saline, MI 6-2/252

Fun Facts:
The Michigan class of 2007 was ranked 10th in the country by Scout.com and 12th by Rivals.com. Both were tops in the Big-10 ...

The class was headlined by 5-star prospects Ryan Mallett (#2 QB by Scout) and Donovan Warren (#4 CB) and 4-star prospects Vince Helmuth (#1 FB), Michael Williams (#5 S), and Ryan Van Bergen (#8 DE) ...

Mallett, Warren, and Williams all participated in the 2007 U.S. Army All-American Bowl ...

Zion Babb is the son of former Southern California track star Lance Babb ...

Toney Clemons is the cousin of former UM WR Steve Breaston ...

Vince Helmuth is the half brother of former Michigan State and current New York Jets TE Chris Baker ...

Donovan Warren is the godson of former USC and Chicago Bears S Mark Carrier ...​

Behind the Numbers

Here are the stats for this week. I offer them with very little comment, because no amount of analysis will make these numbers relevant. In case you hadn't heard, it's Michigan week.

For most games this year, I have used every game played by either team against Div. I-A competition so as to use all relevant data. It made sense, because the way the schedule worked out there were never more than a couple or three common opponents. This week, there are seven common opponents.

Because we have played the same conference schedule, (excepting venue) we can use conference games only to get a true apples-to-apples comparison of these teams.

Traditional & Differential Stats -- Conference Games Only (all common opponents)
Team_________SO________DSO________TO_________DTO________SD_______DSD________TD________DTD
Ohio_St....33.000....131.60%....403.429....106.48%....14.286....46.06%....256.857....59.35%
Michigan...28.571....111.81%....387.000....101.67%...19.143....62.78%....327.429....77.01%

Where:

SO: Scoring Offense (points per game)
DSO: Differential Scoring Offense (SO divided by opponents' scoring defense)
TO: Total Offense (points per game)
DTO: Differential Total Offense (TO divided by opponents' total defense)
SD: Scoring Defense (points per game)
DSD: Differential Scoring Defense (SD divided by opponents' scoring offense)
TD: Total Defense (points per game)
DTD: Differential Total Defense (TD divided by opponents' total offense)​

In most game previews, I use Ohio State's superiority in every category to draw broad conclusions about what to expect on Saturday. This week, these numbers are as worthless as campaign promises will be this time next year.

As you may already know (or have already guessed), these numbers can be used to produce a pair of predictions for the score (and yardage totals) for the game. It is a simple matter of multiplying Scoring Offense for one team by Differential Scoring Defense for the other team, and then multiplying Scoring Defense for the second team by Differential Scoring Offense for the first team. This gives two possible scoring totals for one team. The same process can be used to predict scoring totals for the other team (and yardage for both). Like I said, it's simple: pointless as a bowling ball during Michigan week, but simple.

Here are the worthless predictions produced by this method:

Score:

Ohio State:...21-25 points
Michigan:......13-16 points​

Total Yardage:

Ohio State:...311-349 yards
Michigan:......229-261 yards​

Have I mentioned that statistics don't mean anything on Michigan week? Because they don't.

The only thing that matters is being the team that is most ready to play ... the team that wants it more ... the team that wills themselves to victory. This is the greatest rivalry in all of sports. Stats, schmats ... Get the damn ball.

Perhaps the only thing that matters is the direction each team is going as they approach this game. So let's look at how Ohio State's Differential Total Offense and Michigan's Differential Total Defense have fared over the course of the season. For each week of I-A competition I'll simply indicate whether the unit did better or worse than the week before.

• Better
• Worse
• Worse
• Better
• Better
• Better
• Better
• Worse
• Worse

Oh wait, I forgot to indicate whether that was DTO for OSU or DTD for Michigan, didn't I? No matter, it's the same for both. Ohio State's offense and Michigan's defense are both approaching this game after following the exact same pattern of performance over the course of the season.

Add to that the fact that both Ohio State's Defense and Michigan's offense have gotten successively worse over the last 4 weeks (differentially speaking); and you get two teams that are approaching this game from very similar perspectives.

... unless you consider the numbers that really matter:

5-1​

Rather than similar perspectives, perhaps they come to this game from opposite perspectives.

So which is it? Are the teams on an even playing field? Does one have an advantage? Does the other?

Does any of this mean anything?

Yes.

We just won't know what until Saturday afternoon.​

The Lighter Side

First thing's first. Last weekend, the Buckeyes lost their first regular season game in over two years. It sucked. Now then ...

It's Michigan week.

I can assure you that you'll be proud of our young people, in the classroom, in the community and most especially in 310 days in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

26 - 20 While the Buckeyes would end the season a pedestrian seven and five, Jim Tressel's first year as the Buckeye head coach was a huge success. Do you remember that this Buckeye squad blew a 17-0 half time lead to Wisconsin? Blew a 17-0 half time lead to Penn State? Lost to UCLA 13 - 6 in a very winnable game? Lost to Illinois when the number 1 QB was riding the bench for off the field issues? OK... bad example. On this board, chances are you DO remember. But, the point is, most people probably do not. But, ask them if they remember Johnathon Wells' three touchdowns against Michigan, and they remember. Remember his 4th and 1 carry which went for six? You better believe it. Remember Mike Doss? Two picks that day. It was a great day to be a Buckeye. It was, even in spite of an otherwise rough beginning to Tressel's career as Ohio State Head Coach, a great year. The reason, of course, was this simple victory over Michigan.

14-9 You won't find many people who have problems recalling the 2002 season. I don't need to rehash any of it here for you to think of Maurice Clarett running all over Texas Tech and Washington State. You'll have no problem remembering the Cincinnati win all by yourself, or "Holy Buckeye!" and the huge role Chris Gamble played on this team. But, what you might have forgotten was that in 2002 the prospects of beating Michigan two years in a row was something only the truly optimist among us considered realistic. Too many times in the 90s did a great year come crashing down at the hands of the skunkbears from the North. We, of course, were all dreaming the Buckeyes would win, but there was no silent confidence in those days. And it didn't start out all that well. Michigan had the ball forever. Remember that? FOREVER. And yet, when it was all said and done, all that time of possession managed was 3 field goals. Able to mount only two scoring drives all day, a Maurice Clarett run off tackle right and an odd looking counter option to Maurice Hall. Just enough to win. Will Smith sacked the stone footed John Navarre causing a fumble when Michigan was driving. Big plays. Remember when there was still a second on the clock? Thank you Will Allen. And thank you Jim Tressel. There's plenty to remember about 2002, as that team - you may have heard - ended up winning the National Championship. But, more than that, the seeds of believing Ohio State would not fold against the arch rival were sown that glorious November afternoon.

21-35 Or were they? Sure we love to talk about the wins, but sadly there is one loss in the Tressel years. 2003. Do you remember stopping TA McLendon at the 1 foot line? Maybe. How about squeaking past Sandy Ego State and the Green Bowlers of BGSU? Do you remember the lucky break Hamby had against PSU, getting credit for a catch that he was treating like a basketball? How about the long missed field goal at the end of that game? Maybe. Maybe not. But, I bet you do remember Chris Perry. I bet you do remember Braylon Edwards. I bet you recall a Freshman named Santonio Holmes stepping up, but to no avail. I bet you remember that towards the end of the third quarter the Buckeyes, despite not catching any breaks and playing their worst defensive game in 2 years, only trailed by a score. It didn't happen for the Buckeyes that day, unfortunately. If there is one reason I will accept Oklahoma dropping their final two games (to Kansas State (who the Buckeyes would destroy in the Fiesta Bowl) and LSU (Remember when LSU was the team who had a snow balls chance?)), and yet remaining ranked ahead of Ohio State at the end of the year it's because Ohio State lost to Michigan. What's the difference between 3rd (where OU ended up) and 4th? Beating Michigan. Indeed, had Ohio State beaten Michigan, they would have had an outside shot of playing for the Title themselves. It's just that important.

37 - 21 2004 was a rebuilding year, not entirely unlike 2001. Quick, who did Ohio State beat in 2004? Surely you can come up with a couple. Chances are you, like me, could more quickly rattle off the losses - Northwestern, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Purdue. But, if I were to ask you, when did the the "light go on for Troy Smith?" countless plays from The Game would flood your mind's eye instantly. And while the real answer to the question is actually in the second half of the Purdue loss, the legacy is the bomb to Gonzo, the gashing and slashing runs, the pin-point passes while on the move, the deadly slant to Santonio Holmes. Those seeds sown in 2002 began to sprout in 2004. Michigan was 9 - 1. Ohio State only 6 - 4. It was no contest, that day. Sometimes, when I'm feeling down, I think about a punt return. A long kick, nearly botched as Holmes and Ginn each assumed the other had it. Ginn danced up, avoided a tackle and cut left. And then, there was this moment, as Ginn turned upfield and the stadium saw it. It gives me chills every time I think about it. The roar of the crowd as they came to realize Ted Ginn was taking this one to the house! Can you feel it? Do you remember? Of course you do.


25 - 21 Getting even closer in time, it becomes easier to recall the season's other games. I still get mad when I think about losing to Texas in the Shoe. Antonio Smith not getting the Safety on that kick. Hamby's juggle and drop. Scoring on several straight possessions, but only one of them being a touchdown. It hurt. The next week wasn't much better as the Buckeyes faced the White Out. That loss, thankfully, was - until last week - the last time the Buckeyes lost a regular season game. And it hurt too. But, it was all made better in Ann Arbor. Do you remember when Pittman immediately established he could gain yards against them? When Smith spun in to the endzone for our first score? How the Buckeyes were just dominating them, but how turnovers were keeping us down? Do you remember that, even in spite of being the clearly superior team that day, when you looked up and realized we needed two scores (21-12) and time was not on our side? And then, how Smith put the team on his shoulders. The strike to Holmes cutting the lead to 21 - 19. Then coming up with the needed stop forcing Michigan to pooch punt. And then, the drive. I know you know the drive. Ted Ginn's one handed grab. Smith keeping plays alive, and the drive alive. And then, the play to Gonzo - The Catch! Troy's 300th passing yard. Remember Tressel forcing Lloyd to use a time out? I remember thinking we'd just center it up and take the field goal as time expired (Tressel still had his time out), but Pittman ran right in for six. Two losses that year all but forgotten now. Ohio State had established something approaching dominance over their rival. And, all the offensive play makers were going to be back! Well ... except for Santonio.


42 - 39 And back they came. Obviously everyone remembers 2006. The debacle in January leaving a heavy stain on our hearts. But, as time goes on, and as the talking heads move on to other things, you'll look back on 2006 and think of what a great ride it was to even have had the chance. And when you think back, you might remember opening up the season by putting 28 on Northern Illinois in 15 minutes. You'll probably recall going down to Texas and avenging the loss from the year before in convincing fashion. You'll remember beating Penn State, avenging loss number 2. You might have a couple other memories. But, I assure you, you'll never forget Bo dying on Friday before the game. You'll never forget Roy Hall's touchdown to start things off for the Buckeyes. You won't forget Beanie's long touchdown run, establishing that Michigan's outstanding rush defense was in trouble. How about Robo's catch which set up Pittman's 9 yard run which set up a fake dive to Beanie and a 37 yard strike to Ted Ginn? Doubt you'll forget that one. Will you forget driving right before the half and how Gonzo, quiet all day til then, caught a slant for six before the half? I doubt it. And then, the fumbles and interceptions and how Michigan was sticking around. But, you'll smile as you remember Pittman gashing them for the score and how Musburger called "Touchdown Buckeyes!" when Pittman was still at the 30. You'll remember Robo's great catch which proved to be the game winner, how he stood statuesque, trying to establish to the refs that he was clearly inbounds. You'll remember these things, of course, because there is really only one game that matters. It's the Michigan game.

??-?? I could joke about Michigan losing to Appalachian State, but I won't. I could paint pictures of the Statue of Liberty and Ducks, but I won't. I could compare respective Wisconsin games, but I won't. Truth is, I wanted to save space here to rip on motor mouthed Mike Hart and how much I look forward to him going oh-fer Ohio State during his career. But, I can't cheapen The Game like that. Not this year. Not when it all comes down to this.

It doesn't matter what's come before, and frankly, if it's not a National Championship, it won't much matter what comes after - in the long term. In 5 years you won't really remember much about losing to Illinois. Well ... OK, we at BP might ... but, the point is, it's not where we've been that matters, it's what lies ahead. There is only one game that matters and it's this weekend. Beat Michigan, and this rebuilding year is a success beyond our wildest dreams. Lose, and this rebuilding year is just that, a rebuilding year.

But, even in the face of a loss this weekend and certainly in the face of a win, I can assure you that I'm proud of our young people, in the classroom, in the community and most especially, I will be proud of them in 3 days in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Go Bucks! Beat Michigan!​

Michigan Traditions

• Michigan Stadium. "The Big House." The Stadium's official capacity is 107,501, though football game attendance often exceeds 111,000 when all is said and done. The reason that the number is 107,501? Fritz Crisler, the legendary Michigan coach, has a seat somewhere, which he would never reveal, and his spirit is supposed to be in attendance at every Michigan home game. The largest crowd in stadium history was 112,118 on November 22, 2003 for a game against Ohio State. This is also an all-time NCAA record for people at a football game.
• Michigan's football helmet is a highly recognizable icons in college sports. The famous "winged" design dates back to 1938 when Coach Herbert O. "Fritz" Crisler begin a new era in Michigan football. Even as helmets have evolved over the years, the winged design has remained the pre-eminent symbol of Michigan football.

• Michigan does not have a live mascot comparable to Ohio's Brutus Buckeye. The Athletic Department has steadfastly maintained that such a symbol is unnecessary and undignified and would not properly reflect the spirit and values of Michigan athletics.
• As early as 1861, the students and alumni began referring to themselves as "Wolverines." How the ferocious animal came be associated with the state and adopted as the university mascot remains a bit of a mystery, but there are several theories. You may explore the different theories by clicking on the link:
  Bentley Historical Library New Website
• In November 1896, the University of Michigan Band held its first rehearsal. The U-M Band gave its first public performance in 1897 at old University Hall for the Law School's annual observance of Washington's birthday. The first appearance on a football field was in the fall of 1898. At the Michigan-Ohio State University football game in 1932, the University of Michigan Band created the first "script Ohio" -- predating a similar formation now made famous by the OSU Band.
• The University of Michigan's fight song is The Victors, and it was written by student Louis Elbel in 1898 following the last-minute football victory over the University of Chicago that clinched a league championship. The song was declared by John Philip Sousa as "the greatest college fight song ever written." The song refers to the university as being the "Champions of the West". At the time, UM was part of the "Western Conference", which would later become the Big Ten Conference. During his Presidency of the United States , UM alumnus Gerald R. Ford was known to sometimes have "The Victors" played at various state and presidential functions in place of the traditional "Hail to the Chief".

- During half-time shows the band creates the Block M on the field.​

- Women were admitted in the Marching Band for the first time in 1927.​

- During the pre-game show the band plays the opponent school's fight song in addition to their own.​

• When the football players enter the stadium on game day they each slap the banner.
• Trophy games:
  • Michigan plays Minnesota for the Little Brown Jug. Michigan's record in games played for the Jug, which dates to 1909, is 64-22-3. The Wolverines currently hold the trophy having won the 2006 contest.
  • Michigan competes against Michigan State for the Paul Bunyan Trophy, which was introduced in 1953. Michigan's record in games played for the trophy is 33-19-2. The Wolverines have won the last five meetings.
• The cow bell. Usually a couple fans have cow bells and play a little tune on it and at the end everyone yells "Go Blue".
• "Ohio State/Michigan Week" has grown beyond the football game to include the annual blood battle, which benefits the Red Cross, food collection for food banks, and spirit events such as banner contests. OSU and UM have turned the rivalry into an event that helps people across school lines.

The Rivalry

• In honor of the 100th meeting between the schools in 2003, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives proposed a resolution to recognize Michigan and Ohio State as the greatest rivalry in sports history.
• The Ohio State/Michigan game has always been important, but it was not always the last game of the season. This practice began in 1935 and, except for one year, the tradition has continued.
• The rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan can be traced back to a feud between their respective states which began in 1835. The state of Ohio and the Michigan Territory fought a bloodless conflict with one another in a border dispute known as the Toledo War. Some have proposed that the college football rivalry is a modern manifestation of this historical tension.
• The inaugural meeting between Ohio State and Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1897 was a blowout victory for the Wolverines, who posted a shutout 34-0 over the Buckeyes.
• Only three times in history has the matchup pitted the two against each other with perfect records on the last game of the regular season. In 1970 OSU (8-0) and Michigan (9-0) met in Columbus, with the Buckeyes winning 20-9. Ohio State went on to lose to Stanford in the Rose Bowl. Then in 1973 OSU (9-0) traveled to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan (10-0), and the game ended in a 10-10 tie. Controversially, Ohio State was selected as the Big Ten's candidate to travel to the Rose Bowl, where they defeated USC. Three other times (1902, 1906, 1933) the two teams met each other with perfect records in early season matchups.
• Since 1935, "The Game" has directly affected the Big Ten Conference championship on 20 different occasions.
• Michigan's longest winning streak in the rivalry is nine games, from 1901-1909. Michigan also went without a loss in the first 15 games (13 wins and 2 ties). Ohio State's longest winning streak is four games, from 1934-1937 and 1960-1963.
• Michigan's largest victory margin was in 1902, when it won 86-0. Ohio State's largest victory margin was in 1935, when it posted a 38-0 shutout. OSU's highest point total in a game was 50, which occurred in 1961 and 1968.
• Michigan has been shut out in 11 games in the rivalry. Ohio State has been shut out 26 times. The second meeting between the schools resulted in a 0-0 tie.
• Between 1933 and 1940, the losing team was shut out every year. The teams split the meetings 4-4, with a combined winning-losing score of 206-0.
• The 1950 contest, colloquially known as the "Snow Bowl," is perhaps the most famous game in the rivalry. Eighth-ranked Ohio State was scheduled to host the game on in Columbus amidst one of the worst blizzards on Ohio record. The Buckeyes, who led the Big Ten, were granted the option to cancel the game against Michigan, which would have, by default, given the Buckeyes the Big Ten title outright and won them a trip to the Rose Bowl. Ohio State refused, and amid howling snow and wind, in what was probably the most literal example of a "field position" game, the teams exchanged 45 punts, often on first down, in hopes that the other team would fumble the ball near or into their own end zone. Despite not obtaining a single first down, Michigan capitalized on two blocked punts, recovering one in the end zone for a touchdown and booting another one out of bounds for a safety. Michigan shocked the freezing Columbus faithful with a 9-3 victory, securing the Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl berth. Heavy criticism of Coach Fesler's play calling led to his resignation and the hiring of Woody Hayes as his successor.
• The 1969 loss to Michigan initiated the legendary "The Ten Year War" between Hayes and Schembechler. Both teams used the game as motivation for entire seasons and after the initial win by Michigan, played dead even at four wins and a tie apiece. Hayes, aided immeasurably by the presence of two-time Heisman recipient Archie Griffin, had the upper hand during the first part of the war, in which Ohio State won the conference championship and went to the Rose Bowl four straight years, while Michigan won the final three. It was also an era in which through television Ohio State football again came to the forefront of national attention. During the "Ten-Year War" Ohio State and Michigan shared the Big Ten title six times. The "War" ended in 1978 when Schembechler won his final game against his mentor, 14-3, giving him a record of 5-4-1 against Hayes.
• "Carmen Ohio" was written on the train ride home to Columbus following the 1902 contest, which saw Ohio State losing to Michigan 86-0. The lyrics and melody have remained largely unchanged since its conception.
• Although both football teams play in games for traveling trophies, there is no trophy for the Michigan-Ohio State game. However, if the Buckeyes win, each team member receives a pair of "Gold Pants," a small golden charm of football pants worn by football players on necklaces.
• The OSU campus seems to be more active for Rivalry Week than the U of M campus. However, the two schools hold a blood drive every year from November 1 until the day of the game on their respective campuses. Both teams take the "Blood Battle" seriously. This annual event is a competition between the two chapters to see who can collect the most blood. It benefits the Red Cross and is hosted by the Alpha Phi Omega fraternities at both schools.
• For the fourth year, the fraternity Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) of both schools will hold a Rivalry Run for Cancer.

Historical Data

University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) Founded in 1817

Football 1st Season: 1887
Stadium: Michigan Stadium "The Big House"
Constructed: 1927
Seating Capacity: 107,501
Playing Surface: Field Turf
Conference: Big Ten Conference since 1896 (Charter Member), 1879 to 1895 and 1907 to 1916 Independent
Colors: Maize & Blue
Mascots: None
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)
Conference Championships: 42 Big Ten Titles: 1898, 1901*, 1902, 1903*, 1904*, 1906*, 1918*, 1922*, 1923*, 1925, 1926*, 1930*, 1931*, 1932, 1933, 1943*, 1947, 1948, 1949*, 1950, 1964, 1969*, 1971, 1972*, 1973*, 1974*, 1976*, 1977*, 1978*, 1980, 1982, 1986*, 1988, 1989, 1990*, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998*, 2000*, 2003*, 2004* (*=Co-Champions)
Consensus All-Americans: 73 (61 different players as of 2005)
College Hall-of-Famers: 32
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 7 (George Allen*, Dan Dierdorf, Len Ford*, Benny Friedman, Bill Hewitt, Elroy (Crazylegs) Hirsch*, Tom Mack) *Attended more than 1 college
Award Winners: 4 AFCA COY, 1 Eddie Robinson COY, 1 Bobby Dodd COY, 2 George Munger COY, 2 Paul 'Bear' Bryant COY, 2 Walter Camp POY, 1 Biletnikoff, 1 Rimington, 1 Bronko Nagurski, 1 Butkus, 1 Chuck Bednarik, 3 Heisman, 2 Maxwell, 1 Sammy Baugh, 1 Thorpe, 1 Doak Walker, 1 Lombardi, 1 Ted Hendricks
National Championships: 7 Recognized Championships (1901, 1902, 1923, 1933, 1947, 1948, 1997)
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: AP-54 years, Coaches-42 years​

Records

All Time: 860-284-38 (.744)
Bowl Games: 18-20-0 (.474) A 32 to 18 loss to USC in the 2007 Rose Bowl
All Time vs the BigTen: 494-172-23 (.734)
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 57-40-6 (.583) Most recently a 42-39 loss to the Buckeyes in Columbus 2006
Coach's Reord: Lloyd Carr, 1995-current, 113-36-0 (.758)

2006 Season: 11-2-0 (.846)
Sep 2 - W vs. Vanderbilt, 27-7
Sep 9 - W vs. Central Mich, 41-17
Sep 16 - W at Notre Dame, 47-21
Sep 23 - W vs. Wisconsin, 27-13
Sep 30 - W at Minnesota, 28-14
Oct 7 - W vs. Michigan State, 31-13
Oct 14 - W at Penn State, 17-10
Oct 21 - W vs. Iowa, 20-6
Oct 28 - W vs. Northwestern, 17-3
Nov 4 - W vs. Ball State, 34-26
Nov 11 - W at Indiana, 34-3
Nov 18 - L at Ohio State, 39-42
Jan 1 - L vs. U-S-C, 18-32

2007 Schedule
Sep 1 - L vs. Appalachian St, 32-34
Sep 8 - L vs. Oregon, 7-39
Sep 15 - W vs. Notre Dame, 38-0
Sep 22 - W vs. Penn State, 14-9
Sep 29 - W at Northwestern, 28-16
Oct 6 - W vs. Eastern Mich, 33-22
Oct 13 - W vs. Purdue, 48-21
Oct 20 - W at Illinois, 27-17
Oct 27 - W vs. Minnesota, 34-10
Nov 3 - W at Michigan State, 28-24
Nov 10 - L at Wisconsin, 21-37
Nov 17 - vs. Ohio State, 12:00 PM​

Links

Official Sites:
Official School Site - University of Michigan
Student Newspaper - Michigan Daily
Athletics and Recreation - University of Michigan
Alumni Association - UM Alumni
Official Athletics Site - M Go Blue
Official Conference Site - Big Ten Conference

Message Boards & Team Pages:
Message Boards - Go Blue Wolverine (Scout)
Message Boards - The Wolverine (Rivals)
Message Boards - Michigan Football (MLive.com)
Message Boards - Michigan Wolverines (Sports-Boards)
Message Boards - Sack Carr (Independent)
Message Boards - UM Go Blue (Independent)
Message Boards - Michigan Fan Site (Independent)
Message Boards - Winged Helmet (Independent)

Team Page - NCAA
Team Page - ESPN
Team Page - USA Today
Team Page - Fox Sports (Sporting News)
Team Page - CNN/SI
Team Page - CFN
Team Page - CBS Sportsline
Team Page - Yahoo Sports
Team Page - Sporting News
Team Page - AOL
Team Page - CSTV
Team Page - ATSH2H
Team Page - Covers

Blog - iBlog For Cookies
Blog - M Go Blog
Blog - Rob in Madtown
Blog - Straight Bangin'
Blog - Paradigm Blog
Blog - MoTown Sports Revival
Blog - Big House Football (MVN)
Blog - Blah Me to Death
Blog - Blue Cats and Red Sox
Blog - The Blog That Yost Built
Blog - Michigan Sports Log
Blog - Dangerous Logic
Blog - The Berry Zone
Blog - keeping up with Rash
Blog - Westside Rider
Blog - Off Tackle
Blog - Ronald Bellamy's Underachieving All Stars
Blog - Sweaty Men Endeavors
Blog - Schembechler Hall
Blog - The M Zone
Blog - The Diag (MLive)
Blog - Winged Helmets
Blog - Maize N Brew
Blog - Varsity Blue (MOLV TV)
Blog - Michigan Sports Center
Blog - Michigan Against the World
Blog - Stadium and Main
Blog - Michigan Football Saturdays
Blog - UM Tailgate
Blog - Champions of the West
Blog - Michigan Fanhouse (AOL)
Blog - MVictors.com
Blog - The Hoover Street Rag
Blog - Mr. Wolverine
Blog - Yet Another Michigan Sports Blog
Blog - Ace of Sports
Blog - Quo Vadimus
Blog - Autumn Thunder
Blog - Jim Harbaugh Scramble
Blog - A Pudge is a Sandwich
Blog - Genuinely Sarcastic
Blog - Hart4Heisman
Blog - Mike DeSimone's Michigan Football Page
Blog - Jim Carty's Blog (MLive)
Blog - Michigan Superfan
Blog - Maize and Blog
Blog - On The Fifty
Blog - Ron Bellamy's UAA
Blog - Shooting Blue
Blog - WolverinePedia

Local News Sources:
Detroit News - Local News
Detroit Free Press - Local News
MLive - Local News
MLive - Ann Arbor News - Local News
Oakland Press - Local News
Toledo Blade - Local News

Team Previews and Breakdowns:
2007 Media Guide & Yearbook (Links to multiple PDF Files) - M Go Blue
2007 Team Breakdown (PDF) - M Go Blue
2007 Schedule/Results - M Go Blue
2007 Spring Roster (PDF) - M Go Blue
2007 Spring Prospectus (PDF) - M Go Blue
2007 Spring Game Results - M Go Blue
2006 Overall Stats (PDF) - M Go Blue
2006 Conference Stats (PDF) - M Go Blue
2007 Roster - M Go Blue
News Releases - M Go Blue

2007 Michigan Wolverines Football Preview - CFN
2007 Michigan Wolverines Football Preview - Offense - CFN
2007 Michigan Wolverines Football Preview - Defense - CFN
2007 Michigan Wolverines Football Preview - Depth Chart - CFN
2006 Michigan Wolverines Football Preview - CFN
Michigan Team Report - CSTV/Sports Xchange (Links to previous reports)
2007 Michigan Wolverines Football Preview - Sports Network
2007 Michigan Wolverines Football Preview - The Ozone
2007 Michigan Wolverines Football Preview - College Football Poll
2007 Michigan Wolverines Football Preview - Dispatch/Buckeye Extra
2006 Michigan Wolverines Football Preview - The Sports Network
2006 Michigan Wolverines Football Preview - National Champs
2007 Michigan Wolverines Football Preview - Maddux Sports
2007 Michigan Wolverines Football Preview - BigTen Fans.com

B10 Conference Previews and Breakdowns:
2007 BigTen Prospectus (PDF) - BigTen
2007 BigTen Team Breakdowns (PDF) - BigTen
2007 BigTen Media Info(PDF) - BigTen
2007 BigTen Composite Schedule (PDF) - BigTen
2006 BigTen Season in Review (PDF) - BigTen
2006 BigTen Overall Stats (PDF) - BigTen
2006 BigTen Conference Stats (PDF) - BigTen
2007 CFN Big Ten Preview - CFN
2007 CFN Preseason All-Big Ten Team - CFN
2007 CFN B10 Preseason Lookaheads - CFN
2007 CFN B10 Schedules & Predictions - CFN
2007 CFN B10 Team Capsules - CFN
2007 CFN B10 Unit Rankings - CFN
2007 CFN B10 Ultimate Schedule - CFN
2007 CFN B10 Recruiting - What It All Means - CFN
2007 CFN Spring Preview - Analyzing the Big Ten - CFN
2007 CFN Big Ten Spring Lookaheads - CFN
2007 CFN B10 Composite Schedule - CFN
2007 CFN B10 Team-by-Team Schedules - CFN
2007 CFN B10 Spring Games Wrapup - CFN
ASK CFN (6/22) ... The Big Ten Network - CFN
2007 Big Ten - CSTV
2007 All-Big Ten Teams - Athlon
2007 BigTen Inside Slant - USA Today
2007 Big Ten Preview - College Football Poll

Travel:
Travel - Parking & Traffic - M Go Blue
Travel - Parking & Traffic 2007 Changes - M Go Blue
Travel - Michigan Stadium Guide - M Go Blue
Travel - Safety/Prohibited Items - M Go Blue​

Preseason Rankings

#2 - CBS Sportsline (Dennis Dodd - 3/26/07)
#2 - National Champs (Early Bird)
#2 - Yahoo Sports (Terry Bowden)
#2 - ESPN (Mark Schlabach)
#2 - ESPN Hummer Press Pass (Mike Greenberg)
#2 - Rivals (Early)
#3 - CBS Sportsline (Dennis Dodd - 4/30/07)
#3 - CBS Sportsline (Preview Magazine)
#3 - The Sporting News
#3 - National Champs (Preview)
#3 - Lindy's
#3 - CSTV (Post-Spring)
#4 - CSTV (Pre-Spring)
#4 - Rivals
#4 - MSNBC
#4 - Surefire Scouting
#5 - AP
#5 - USA Today Coach's Poll
#5 - Phil Steele
#5 - Street & Smith's
#5 - Jim Feist
#6 - CNN/SI (Stewart Mandell)
#6 - Football.com
#6 - AutumnSpectacle
#7 - Playboy
#7 - FanBlogs
#8 - Athlon
#8 - AJC
#8 - ESPN Hummer Press Pass (Mike Golic)
#8 - Game Plan
#9 - StatFox
#10 - CFN
#10 - Fox Sports
#10 - Chicago Tribune (Teddy Greenstein)
#12 - New Orleans Times Picayune (Ted Lewis)
#20 - CCR (Projected Finish)​

Preseason Watch Lists

Bronko Nagurski Award - Shawn Crable
Butkus Award - Shawn Crable*
Chuck Bednarik Award - Jamar Adams, Shawn Crable*
Davey O'Brien Award - Chad Henne
Doak Walker Award - Mike Hart
Fred Biletnikoff Award - Mario Manningham*
Jim Thorpe Award - Jamar Adams
Rotary Lombardi Award - Jake Long*
Lott Trophy - Jamar Adams, Shawn Crable
Manning Award - Chad Henne
Maxwell Award - Michael Hart*, Chad Henne, Mario Manningham
Outland Trophy - Adam Kraus, Jake Long
Ray Guy Award - Zoltan Mesko
Ted Hendricks Award - Brandon Graham, Tim Jamison
Walter Camp Player of the Year - Michael Hart, Chad Henne, Mario Manningham
(* - indicates semifinalist)​

Big Ten Conference Players of the Week

Sept. 1, 2007 (Week 1)
CO-OFFENSE: RB - Jehuu Caulcrick, Michigan State & QB - Tyler Donovan, Wisconsin
DEFENSE: LB - Sean Lee, Penn State
SPECIAL TEAMS: WR - Dorien Bryant, Purdue

Sept. 8, 2007 (Week 2)
CO-OFFENSE: QB - Adam Weber, Minnesota & QB - Curtis Painter, Purdue
DEFENSE: LB - Dan Connor, Penn State
SPECIAL TEAMS: DE - Kenny Iwebema, Iowa

Sept. 15, 2007 (Week 3)
OFFENSE: QB - Kellen Lewis, Indiana
CO-DEFENSE: DE - Jonal Saint-Dic, Michigan State & LB - James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
SPECIAL TEAMS: PR/KR - David Gilreath, Wisconsin

Sept. 22, 2007 (Week 4)
OFFENSE: RB - Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois
CO-DEFENSE: DE - Will Davis, Illinois & S - Jamar Adams, Michigan
SPECIAL TEAMS: P - Ken DeBauche, Wisconsin

Sept. 29, 2007 (Week 5)
CO-OFFENSE: QB - Kellen Lewis, Indiana & RB - P.J. Hill, Wisconsin
DEFENSE: LB - Shawn Crable, Michigan
SPECIAL TEAMS: KR - Arrelious Benn, Illinois

Oct. 6, 2007 (Week 6)
OFFENSE: QB - C.J. Bacher, Northwestern
DEFENSE: DB - Chimdi Chekwa, Ohio State
SPECIAL TEAMS: K - Austin Starr, Indiana

Oct. 13, 2007 (Week 7)
CO-OFFENSE: RB - Javon Ringer, Michigan State & QB - C.J. Bacher, Northwestern
DEFENSE: LB - Mike Humpal, Iowa
SPECIAL TEAMS: PR - Brian Hartline, Ohio State

Oct. 20, 2007 (Week 8)
CO-OFFENSE: RB - Chris Wells, Ohio State & WR - Dorien Bryant, Purdue
DEFENSE: DE - Maurice Evans, Penn State
SPECIAL TEAMS: P - A.J. Trapasso, Ohio State

Oct. 27, 2007 (Week 9)
OFFENSE: QB - Todd Boeckman, Ohio State
DEFENSE: LB - DeAndre Levy, Wisconsin
SPECIAL TEAMS: P - Ryan Donahue, Iowa

Nov. 3, 2007 (Week 10)
OFFENSE: QB - Chad Henne, Michigan
CO-DEFENSE: LB - James Laurinaitis, Ohio State & LB - Sean Lee, Penn State
SPECIAL TEAMS: K - Jason Reda, Illinois

Nov. 10, 2007 (Week 11)
OFFENSE: QB - Juice Williams, Illinois
CO-DEFENSE: LB - Dan Connor, Penn State and DE - Matt Shaughnessy, Wisconsin
SPECIAL TEAMS: KR - James Bailey, Indiana

Nov. 17, 2007 (Week 12)
OFFENSE:
DEFENSE:
SPECIAL TEAMS:
​

Preseason Accolades

BigTen Preseason Media Poll
1. Michigan
2. Wisconsin
3. Ohio State

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year - Mike Hart - Michigan

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year - James Laurinaitis - Ohio State​

Link to 2007 Michigan Wolverines Game Preview​

Note: Statistical data was complied using a variety of sources, including:
Stassen (Chris Stassen) - Data
College Football Data Warehouse - Data
American College Football-RSFC (Dave Wilson) - Data
D1A Football (Formerly WALJ 10 College Football) - Data
National Champs.net - Data
Hickok Sports - Data

 

[osustamm]

And one more thing.....

THEY SUCK!!!!!

 

[OhioWild]

Doug Dutch will be disappointed to hear that he is not on the team.

You would think someone would tell him to stop showing up for practice and dressing for games.

 

[OhioWild]

Also, when did you kick Quintin Patilla off the team

Lloyd needs to know

 

[3yardsandacloud]

Also, when did you kick Quintin Patilla off the team ... Lloyd needs to know

Humm, did some quick checking and apparently QP WAS off the team for a period of time this year (we didn't do it ... honestly). Additionally he isn't listed on the official 2007 UofM roster (currently ... we didn't do that either). Apparently he's back with the team, yet the roster isn't updated? Maybe you can help me with that one. I don't know.

As far as Doug Dutch, Jr., I'm not sure why OSUBucks22 lists him as a roster casualty. DD, Jr. is on the current UofM roster and shows him playing in all 11 games with a total of 1 tackle at DB. He did have 4 receptions for 35 yards and 2 punt returns for 9 yards in 2005. Come to think of it, are you SURE he's on the team :)

Well damn ... there he is ... I think ... is that number 35?

Seriously, our apologies Doug. We certainly didn't mean to slight you by a miscue in our recruiting review.

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

Re: Doug Dutch

You would think someone would tell him to stop showing up for practice and dressing for games.

Secondary
RCB #14 Morgan Trent (6-1 189 JR)
WS #22 Jamar Adams (6-2 212 SR)
SS #31 Brandent Englemon (5-1 206 SR)
LCB #6 Donovan Warren (6-0 175 FR)

Most Buckeye fans would have guess the Michigan secondary to be worse than it actually is, having watched Troy Smith carve it up to the likes of Ted Ginn, Santonio Holmes and Anthony Gonzalez for the past few years. However, despite that perception, the secondary has actually been the relative strength of the defense in 2007. While Morgan Trent is not the lock down corner you'd expect from a high profile team like Michigan, he has had a decent year, recording 36 Tackles, 2 TFLs, a fumble recovery and two picks. As teams have done some picking on Trent, the Wolverines have been able to break in true Freshman Donovan Warren. In his first year with the Wolverines, he's recorded 48 Tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1 sack, a pick and 2 fumble recoveries (leads team). The Safeties are both very active in the Michigan defense. Englemon is tied on the team for Tackles with 73. A solid veteran, he also has 2 TFLs, 1 sack and a four yard fumble recovery to go along with 2 picks. Adams is probably the most talented of the starting defensive backs. He is a good hitter and is usually in position. He needed to establish this season more consistency in coverage, and has done so by leading the team in both pass breakups with 10, and INTs with 3.

The reserve secondary includes corners; #35 Doug Dutch (5-11 200 JR), #26 Zio Babb (6-1 190 FR), #27 Brandon Harrison (5-8 195 JR), and #29 Troy Woolfolk (6-1 180 FR) and Safeties; #5 Charles Stewart (6-1 205 JR) and #3 Stevie Brown (6-0 208 SO). Junior Brandon Harrison is Trent's primary back up, and leads the reserves with 35 Tackles, 5.5 TFLs, half a sack, a pick and a fumble recovery in 11 games this season. Next among reserves is Stevie Brown who has 26 tackles, a 26 yard INT return and 2 fumble recoveries in 2007. Stewart has played in all but one game this year, recording 11 tackles and a TFL. Woolfolk has 5 Tackles in limited action, while Dutch has just one. Babb has not yet recorded a tackle.

Just sayin....