As we review the Michigan Wolverines odds for 2008 we already know that Michigan has 40 straight winning seasons, and has been to 33 straight bowl games.  We also know they have lost to their rival Ohio State four straight times.  Will this be the year they won't make it to a bowl game?  Or beat rival Ohio State?  

Michigan's coach Lloyd Carr retired last season.  Carr delivered the school a national championship in 1997 and finished his career 18-9 All-Time against top 10 competition.  He went out on a good note as they upset Florida in the Capital One Bowl last year.  His replacement now is Rich Rodriguez, who came over from West Virginia.  Rodriguez has been a head coach for 15 years and his career record is 105-62-2.  He had a record of 60-26 with the West Virginia Mountaineers, coaching the team since 2001.  Rodriguez brings a new spread offense to the team.  He guided West Virginia to six straight bowl games in the past three years with the team.  They finished ranked #5,#10 and #6.  "It was a very difficult decision to leave a place where I grew up," said Rodriguez, who was born in Grant Town, W.Va., five miles from the birthplace of famed Michigan coach Fielding Yost and about 20 miles from the West Virginia campus.  "It was going to take a very special opportunity and a very special place, and I think that's what this is."  It might take a little while for the coach and the players to be on the right page.  The Big 10 odds at Sbgglobal.com currently have Michigan +5000 to win the BCS National Championship game.

The defense is loaded with talent, and if they are going to win some big games this season it is going to have to be the defense that will carry them.  Ezeh is a former fullback turned middle linebacker and slowly started to show he could actually play the position toward the end of 2007.  Tim Jamison and Brandon Graham combined for 14 sacks last season.  Graham was only a sophomore last year when he posted a team high 8.5 sacks.  Despite learning a new defense, this figures to be one of the most improved D-lines in the country.   The Big 10 odds at Sbgglobal.com currently have Michigan +450 to win the Big 10 conference.

The offense is going to have a lot of problems this season, beginning at who is going to start at quarterback.  Will it be Steven Threet who is yet to throw a pass?  His backups also lack experience.  Reports out of camp were Threet was the better quarterback and better leader than his competition and seems to have a lock on the initial starting job.  Michigan lost six players to the NFL draft and everyone on offense is just learning right now.  They have some big games this season, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Penn State to name a few.  There is no lock Michigan will finish over .500 for a 24th consecutive season.

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