Coach: Lloyd Carr | Staff In 2006: 11-2, 8-1; Lost to Southern California 32-18 in the Rose Bowl. Returning starters: Offense: 7. Defense: 4. Key losses: WR Steve Breaston, K Garrett Rivas, DE LaMarr Woodley, DT Alan Branch, CB Leon Hall, LB David Harris.
2007 breakdown: Top 10 players | Outlook | Offense | Defense | Special teams | Coaching | Schedule

Breaking down the offense

Overview: Looking for all the components of a great offense? Let's see … an experienced, productive quarterback? Check. A Heisman Trophy-contending running back? Check. An explosive, game-breaking receiver? Check. A dominating left tackle? Check. Michigan's offense has it all. It must lead the way if the Wolverines can contend for their first national championship in a decade.

MICHIGAN TOP 10

Jake Long is a dominant force up front for the Wolverines.

1.OT Jake Long

2.RB Mike Hart

3.QB Chad Henne

4.WR Mario Manningham

5.LB Shawn Crable

6.WR Adrian Arrington

7.DT Terrance Taylor

8.OG Adam Kraus

9.SS Jamar Adams

10.CB Morgan Trent

Most overrated: G Adam Kraus is a good, solid lineman with some All-Big Ten honors. But he benefits by playing next to Long and struggled in the Rose Bowl loss to USC.

Most underrated: RB Mike Hart runs hard, blocks well, catches out of the backfield and doesn't fumble. Yet, he's often forgotten in Heisman Trophy discussions because he lacks blazing speed needed for long-distance touchdown runs that are so popular on highlight shows.

Must step up: TE Mike Massey must shore up a position that was been decimated by the graduation of Tyler Ecker and the spring dismissal of Carson Butler.

Impact newcomer: Sophomore Justin Boren is a newcomer to the starting lineup and a newcomer to center. He got some experience at guard last year. Now, he's counted on to replace Mark Bihl and make line calls.

Battle to watch: Redshirt freshman Stephen Schilling, a former five-star prospect who had mononucleosis last year, and sophomore Mark Ortmann vie to take over the right tackle spot vacated by Rueben Riley.

New in 2007: Michigan doesn't have a great blocking fullback and there is a lack of depth at TE, so look for the Wolverines to use more three wide-receiver sets.

Grade the units:
QB: A-minus. Henne already has three seasons as a starter behind him, and he has thrown for more than 2,500 yards each year. He has 70 career touchdown passes and just 28 interceptions. But he doesn't have a victory over Ohio State or a win in a bowl game.
RB: A-minus. When healthy – and he is – Hart is a virtual lock to rush for 1,500 yards and average 5 yards per carry. Kevin Grady's knee injury decreases depth, but Brandon Minor has shown flashes of being a breakaway threat.
WR/TE: A. Manningham scored nine touchdowns in 2006 despite missing 4½ games with injury. He definitely has All-American potential if he remains healthy all season. Also, Adrian Arrington has been reinstated after being suspended through the spring, and he is an excellent alternative receiver. Expect sophomore Greg Mathews to develop into an effective third option.
OL: B-plus. Long is one of the premier offensive linemen in the nation, and Kraus and G Alex Mitchell are also returning starters. Of course, having three returning starters also means there will be two new starters up front.

Breaking down the defense

Overview: Michigan's pass defense was riddled in the last two games of last season – both losses – and that unit included four players who were taken in the first two rounds of the NFL draft. Good athletes with great potential will move into the starting lineup, but there are serious questions on every level of the defense.

Best player: At 6 feet 5, 241 pounds, LB Shawn Crable is an intimidating sight, and last season his performance matched his presence as he posted 10½ tackles for loss to earn All-Big Ten recognition.

Most underrated: CB Morgan Trent took some criticism when he made costly mistakes in losses to Ohio State and Southern California. However, his performance for the entire season drew high marks from coaches and he played very well in the spring.

Must step up: Senior SS Jamar Adams played at an All-Big Ten level a year ago but needs to be even better in an inexperienced secondary. The Wolverines will look to him to be a steadying influence back there.

Shoes to fill: DT Will Johnson faces the difficult task of replacing All-American Alan Branch, who was often double teamed and it often didn't matter.

Impact newcomer: True freshman CB Donovan Warren, a five-star prospect, could challenge Johnny Sears for the starting job opposite Trent.

Position battle: The Wolverines need an adequate replacement for David Harris at MLB. John Thompson has shown flashes that he could be the guy, but he wasn't healthy in the spring. Austin Panter comes in as Michigan's first junior college recruit since 1996. Redshirt freshman Obinna Ezeh will get a shot, too.

New in 2007: There appears to be an absence of a lock-down cornerback, a luxury Michigan has had recently with Leon Hall and Marlin Jackson. That may result in the Wolverines going to more zone coverage than usual.

Grade the units:
DL: B. Terrance Taylor is the only returning starter up front, although Jamison has some playing experience. Johnson and sophomore DE Brandon Graham have a lot of talent that needs to be harnessed.
LB: B-minus. Crable is outstanding, so the strong side is set. Chris Graham has not met expectations on the weak side, and the middle is unsettled.
DB: B-minus. Trent is solid at one corner, but the other side is a concern. Adams brings experience at SS, and speedy Stevie Brown could be a difference-maker.

Breaking down the special teams

Overview: Often an area of strength, this looks like an area of concern with punter Zoltan Mesko the only returning specialist. The Wolverines must replace reliable Garrett Rivas at kicker and exciting Steve Breaston as a kick returner. They even have to replace Turner Booth, who was a sure deep snapper.

Grade the units:
K: Incomplete. Redshirt freshman Bryan Wright is the probable successor to Rivas, though he may have to hold off some walk-on challengers.
P: B-plus. Mesko has averaged 41.6 yards on 50 career punts and has had 17 downed inside the 20-yard line.
KR: B. Although losing Breaston hurts, Michigan has a lot of fast guys who could step in and be effective, if not exciting. The list includes Arrington, Sears and RB Carlos Brown, among others. Michigan always does a good job setting up blocks on returns.
PR: B. The same candidates to return kickoffs apply here, but also add Stevie Brown to the list.

Breaking down the coaching

Overview: Lloyd Carr has managed at least nine victories in 12 of his seasons in Ann Arbor and has 113 victories and a national championship to his credit, yet still isn't embraced by many demanding Michigan fans. He needs to end a three-year losing streak to Ohio State and a four-game losing streak in bowl games. The offensive staff also catches flak, while the defensive staff routinely gets high praise.

Grade the coaches:
Head coach: B-plus. One wonders if Carr, who will turn 62 on July 31, would be willing to walk away if the Wolverines defeat Ohio State, win the Big Ten and challenge for a national championship. If he did he'd leave as the third-winningest coach in school history and with a winning record against the Buckeyes.
Offense: B-plus. Mike DeBord takes a lot of heat, but the Wolverines are 43-7 with him as offensive coordinator, a position he held from 1997-99 and in 2006. Last year Michigan was second in the nation in time of possession and committed fewer turnovers (12) than anyone.
Defense: A. The "fast and physical" approach Ron English took last year was a big hit, and in one year he has established himself among the nation's premier defensive coordinators. LB coach Steve Szabo helped turn David Harris into a dominant player. Vance Bedford, the secondary coach on the 1997 national championship team, is back in Ann Arbor in that position.

Special teams: C. The special teams are coached by committee, and it has worked. Finding a reliable kicker and kick return man are top priorities. The kickoff coverage team could stand improvement, even though the Wolverines have not allowed a kick return for a touchdown since 1993.

Olin Buchanan is the senior college football writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at olin@rivals.com.

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