The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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time field goal at the Sugar Bowl, head coach Brady Hoke sat before the media and began the transition from Team 132 to Team 133. The goal for the next edition of Wolverines is the same as it has been for every group that has worn the winged helmet — to win the Big Ten title. "It never changes," Hoke said. "It L will be exactly the same." U-M accomplished a great deal this BY MICHAEL SPATH ess than 48 hours after Michi- gan put a wrap on the 2011 season with a raucous-in- ducing game-winning over- eight of 11 starters from a unit that surprised this past season but still has much room to grow. The three starters departing — tackles Mike Martin and Will Heininger, and end Ryan Van Bergen — create the biggest question of the offseason and the greatest un- certainty for 2012. Van Bergen started 38 games in his career between tackle and end. Martin started 37 at defensive tackle, while Heininger started 12. Combined, the three totaled 25 sacks and 56 tack- les for loss during their tenures, but while the Wolverines will miss their production, they will miss their expe- Michigan's 2012 Title Hopes Rest On Filling Holes Along The Lines OFFSEASON AGENDA year. It won 11 games for only the fifth time in the modern era (1971, 1986, 1997, 2006); finished second in the Legends Division with a 6-2 re- cord; finished with a No. 9 USA Today Coaches poll listing and a No 12 AP ranking; ended a seven-game losing streak to Ohio State; won the Sugar Bowl; and, perhaps most importantly, became relevant again within the Big Ten and nationally after three seasons in which Michigan went 6-18 in con- ference play and did not once finish in the final Associated Press top 25. Though the Maize and Blue lose key personnel, especially along both lines of scrimmage, they will expect to take a step forward instead of one in reverse. The schedule, on paper, is more daunting, with trips to Dal- las to play Alabama, and road visits to Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State, while the bull's-eye that had faded will unequivocally return. But with more than seven months to ad- dress their issues, the Wolverines will expect to contend for the conference title next season. If quarterback Denard Robinson and the athletes surrounding him can progress, Michigan's offense could be dynamic in coordinator Al Borges' second year. Defensively, U-M returns 32 THE WOLVERINE FEBRUARY 2012 rience and leadership even more. Michigan is better equipped at end than tackle with Craig Roh back for his senior year, Jibreel Black a ju- nior and Frank Clark a sophomore. Though all three played on the weak- side in 2011, Roh and Black are ca- pable of bulking up to play the strong- side spot vacated by Van Bergen. U-M could also receive help from Keith Heitzman, a redshirt freshman next year, and three true freshmen — Matt Godin, Tom Strobel and Mario Oje- mudia. The far bigger concern is at tackle, where the Wolverines could have as many as seven bodies, but only one — rising senior Will Campbell (27 ca- reer defensive appearances) — with significant playing time. Michigan will be counting on red- shirt juniors Quinton Washington (12) and Nathan Brink (one), redshirt sophomores Ken Wilkins (zero) and Richard Ash (three), redshirt fresh- man Chris Rock (who could also play end), and rookies Ondre Pipkins and Chris Wormley to contribute next sea- son. "I've seen huge strides out of them," Heininger said. "I can't wait to see what they can do. It's a chal- lenge, and a lot of learning comes on Defensive tackle Will Campbell (No. 73) and defensive end Craig Roh (No. 88) will be two of the Wolverines expected to step up along the defensive line in 2012. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN the field. A lot of learning comes the first two or three games you ever play. Then it's, 'Okay, I got it.' "I can't wait to see what they've done in practice translate." Heininger, Martin and Van Bergen took a vested interest in their future replacements, nurturing their talent throughout the season and during bowl practices. While they acknowl- edge the next generation of defensive tackles must make dramatic strides