The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/152358
team is too deep, even with some of the personnel issues they've encountered in the preseason." Chengelis: "Ohio State needs to replace some people on defense, but they've got a fabulous quarterback. Urban Meyer is a very good coach. They've got great athletes as well. They have obviously recruited well. Right now, is it back to the Big Two and Little Eight, or Little 10? Yeah, it might be. "For the last year of having the possibility of playing twice in a row, I think it would be pretty exciting to see that happen." Snyder: "I think it's Nebraska and Ohio State. Nebraska looks like it will be able to squeeze it out, with the tiebreakers. Ohio State seems like the class of that division, without question." The Wolverine: What's Michigan's greatest X-Factor this season? Snyder: "It's the running back. That's pretty obvious, and most people would say that. You need a stable running game to take the heat off Gardner, and Gardner will be that much more effective if he has that. Even if it's by committee, Derrick Green or Fitz Toussaint or whoever is back there, if they're taking enough pressure off Gardner, that's worth something. "I think the receivers will catch the ball. [Jeremy] Gallon is obviously proven, and they're going to have size there. They'll do enough in the passing game, just because of Gardner's accuracy. It's just the question of whether the running backs can hold up their end of the bargain." Meinke: "I absolutely think it's the offensive line. They have talent at quarterback, talent at tailback, talent at receiver and immense talent at tight end. I'm really excited about what they can do there. They can have a multiple, dynamic offense. Just how dynamic and how productive it is will depend on the offensive line. "We saw that last year. They had a talented quarterback last year. They had talented running backs, and they had talented receivers. But the running game and to an extent the passing game was handcuffed by what the offensive line couldn't do, which was perform consistently. This year, if that line can find its way, some combination of Toussaint and Green will be extremely productive, and Devin Gardner will be one of the best quarterbacks in the country. "If they fail up front, or if they struggle to develop some kind of chemistry, you're going to see the same kinds of struggles you saw last year with Toussaint and anyone behind him. If you don't have room to run, you don't have room to run. That's the big X-Factor." Chengelis: "Devin Gardner staying healthy. Brian Cleary and Shane Morris are great kids, but neither guy strikes me as ready to lead this offense like Devin Gardner can. You've got to keep him healthy, and we always say that, but how do you do it? You can't play to stay safe. "That's the key, to me. If Devin stays healthy, very good things can happen for this team." ❑