The Lewan Effect

So we're all excited Lewan's coming back, but how will this affect our awful running game? Will our great OL turn an average RB into a great RB? It would be nice to hear some folks weigh in on this. I would hate for our excellent OL to be wasted without a strong RB weapon to take advantage of the holes they make.

Just because a Freshman doesn't play over an upperclassman, doesn't necessarily mean that said Freshman isn't as good, or better than the player in front of him, or that he won't be better than that upperclassman was during this season, the following season after he grows and develops. Not all teams automatically field the best players on their team, especially when it comes to schools like Michigan where it's hard for Freshman to see the field anyway. I could give a slew of exam of this, but you guys are pretty knowledgeable, that's why I read the comments, so I bet you could think of quite a few on your own. This season Michigan came into the season with Denard at QB, Devin at WR and Thomas Rawls at RB. Also, Brady Hoke and Al Borges were still primarily running and offense that they basically were forced into running given the skillset of their dynamic QB. An offense that was probably at least carried 80% of the time by Denard, pass or run. That being said, the linemen used had experience with the RichRod read option blocking schemes AND with the QB running attack out of the gun that Borges ran (far less read option). A lot of the plays if not designed Denard runs, were run/pass options that require good pass protection (something our line, while not up to historical UofM standards, was pretty dang good at. Just watch The Outback Bowl against the best pass rush in the country.). Factoring all of that in, along with the fact that the main purpose these underclassmen were recruited was to be a road grating line of Hogs that would clear 4 yards out for anybody that ran behind them, and I could easily see why Hoke and Borges didn't go baptism by fire and burn up all types of eligibility, when they thought they could make due without doing so. Starting those kids out in this past scheme would likely help them develop some bad tendencies that would tough to remedy for the upcoming style of play. The best players don't always get the highest spot on the depth chart. I don't think Rawls was the 2nd best back on our team this year, I think Vincent Smith would've been more affective. Russell Bellomy wasn't the 2nd best QB on the team. Devin Gardner wasn't even the 3rd best WR. If Derrick Green commits, I would easily call him the best back on our team, but I'd bet dollars to donuts that if Fitz makes it all the way back, he'll be taking the opening day snaps. Hell, Denard wasn't even the best QB on the team! Yes, he was our most dangerous and versatile offensive weapon, and in college football putting those guys at QB is the best laid plan sometimes... But Devin is obviously the better QB, as evidenced by his performance against South Carolina in just his what, 5th start??? Look what Denard did against a similar Alabama D or that overrated ND D after nearly 2 full seasons of starting. Take it down a notch. Kalis, Bosch, Braden, etc. will be just fine come Aug/Sep.

These comments bear out the title of Brian's piece, "The Lewan Effect."  Instead of discussing whether or not our O-Line will be even competent next year, we are debating whether or not they will be dominant.  Thanks, Taylor!  That's a big effect.