Old But Relevant Predictions

This tremendous article before the 2009 season was probably a little premature in its hope, not that hope wasn't welcome. But the conclusions he made then apply much more now, and the role players required seem to line up with our expectations:

http://whencarcajousattack.blogspot.com/2009/06/rodriguez-spread-offense-at-full.html

In short he says you need a blistering QB, two dangerous runningbacks, quick, dependable slots and the ability for the QB to get the ball to those slots properly and on time. Plus it goes without saying but it's all about the O-line.

So:

Fast Denard runs fast and can manage to get the ball to the slot receivers on time like Pat White.

Odoms and Rountree are proven slot machines (even if Odoms is outside for now), Kelvin and Stonum will at worst fill out the productive, high yards per catch but fewer catches WRs on the chart.

Shaw plays the speedy slaton, Vincent plays the productive, receiving second back. We know they're capable of that even if Vincent can be caught from behind by DSU.

And while the article said we had the depth and returning O-line last year, we found out quickly we didn't. It's much easier to claim we do (Though Molk going down would still be devastating) this year and hopefully they make the skill players look like WVU players of old.

It's not news that the factors are there, but the article is probably still a much more concrete  read for people thinking that Michigan won't show any progress this year, especially since the young but talented players that are supposed to fulfill these roles have actually played a little.