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Mario Manningham John Biever/SI

The Lowdown 2006 Schedule Coach: Lloyd Carr (12th season, 102-34) 2005 record: 7-5 (Lost to Nebraska in Alamo Bowl) Big Ten finish: 5-3 (t-3rd) 2005 I-A offensive rankings: Rushing: 44th (161.6 ypg) Passing: 61st (222.7 ypg) 2005 I-A defensive rankings: Rushing: 41st (137.3 ypg) Passing: 42nd (207.8 ypg) Date Opponent Sept. 2 Vanderbilt Sept. 9 Central Michigan Sept. 16 at Notre Dame Sept. 23 Wisconsin Sept. 30 at Minnesota Oct. 7 Michigan State Oct. 14 at Penn State Oct. 21 Iowa Oct. 28 Northwestern Nov. 4 Ball State Nov. 11 at Indiana Nov. 18 at Ohio State Depth Chart: Offense 6 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. WR 15 Steve Breaston Sr. 81 Doug Dutch So. WR 86 Mario Manningham So. 17 Carl Tabb Sr. LT 77 Jake Long Jr. 75 Cory Zirbel Fr. LG 57 Adam Kraus Jr. 74 Brett Gallimore So. C 54 Mark Bihl Sr. 57 Adam Kraus Jr. RG 73 Alex Mitchell So. 70 Jeremy Ciulla So. RT 72 Rueben Riley Sr. 76 Mike Kolodziej Sr. TE 89 Tyler Ecker Sr. 83 Mike Massey So. QB 7 Chad Henne Jr. 19 Jason Forcier Fr. FB 40 Obi Oluigbo Sr. 35 Brian Thompson Sr. TB 20 Mike Hart Jr. 3 Kevin Grady So. Depth Chart: Defense 6 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. DE 90 Tim Jamison Jr. 50 Jeremy Van Alstyne Sr. NG 67 Terrance Taylor So. 95 Marques Walton So. DT 80 Alan Branch Jr. 44 James McKinney Fr. DE 56 LaMarr Woodley Sr. 91 Rondell Biggs Sr. OLB 2 Shawn Crable Jr. 37 Chris Graham Jr. ILB 45 David Harris Sr. 49 John Thompson So. OLB 6 Prescott Burgess Sr. 42 Chris McLaurin Fr. CB 5 Charles Stewart So. 14 Morgan Trent So. CB 29 Leon Hall Sr. 25 Johnny Sears Fr. SS 31 Brandent Englemon Jr. 22 Jamar Adams Jr. FS 21 Ryan Mundy Sr. 19 Willis Barringer Sr. Special Teams Ps. No. Player Yr. Ps. No. Player Yr. K 38 Garrett Rivas Sr. P 3 Ross Ryan Sr. KR 15 Steve Breaston Sr. PR 15 Steve Breaston Sr.

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This is as low as it gets for University of Michigan football. That's the belief the Wolverines are clinging to after their worst season in 21 years.

They didn't fall as far as some other traditional powers have in recent years and endure a losing season, but five losses just doesn't cut it in Ann Arbor. Neither do four losses in five seasons to Ohio State, three defeats in four seasons to Notre Dame and three consecutive bowl game implosions.

With the flames of fickle alumni licking the feet of coach Lloyd Carr, the coaching staff was revamped to bring a new approach. Changes were especially necessary on defense, where the Wolverines have continually faltered in late-game situations in recent seasons.

Defense coordinator Jim Herrmann was pushed out after highly regarded secondary coach Ron English accepted an assistant coaching job with the Chicago Bears. Offered the coordinator's job, English changed his mind and remained on Carr's staff. Linebackers coach Steve Szabo and cornerbacks coach Ron Lee are newcomers. Mike DeBord has replaced Terry Malone as the offensive coordinator, though DeBord is an old hand.

"There's always a lot of fresh, new ideas that come in when you have coaching changes," Carr says. "I think that's always healthy."

As long as quarterback Chad Henne stays healthy, the offense should be dynamic. English and the rest of the defensive staff have six returning starters at their disposal but have to come up with new schemes to solve the team's red zone blues.

OFFENSE

Statistically, Henne was nearly as good in his sophomore year as he was during his brilliant freshman campaign when he led the Wolverines to the Rose Bowl. If Henne suffers a significant injury, the Wolverines might need a miracle to avert another sub-par season. The alternatives are redshirt freshman Jason Forcier, who ran the scout team last season, and true freshman David Cone.

The 1-2 tailback punch of Mike Hart and Kevin Grady should be among the nation's best if Hart can avoid the injuries that sidetracked his sophomore season. Hart missed four games and was limited in several others by ankle and hamstring injuries.

Steve Breaston, who has game-breaking talent, needs to rebound from a disappointing junior year. In contrast, Mario Manningham exceeded all expectations as a true freshman. Working as a third receiver, Manningham scored six touchdowns.

Tight end Tyler Ecker (6-foot-6, 247) presents a huge target for Henne and should be an All-America candidate.

Jake Long, making the move from right tackle to left tackle, anchors a line that lost three starters to graduation.

DEFENSE

Senior defensive end LaMarr Woodley is the team's top playmaker, leading the squad in tackles for a loss (16) and sacks (7) last season. The rest of the defensive line spots are up for grabs, though 6-foot-6 Alan Branch will certainly play a big role after making five sacks last season.

Though outside linebackers Prescott Burgess and Chris Graham and inside linebacker David Harris are back, there could be some upheaval at those positions. This unit did not produce enough big plays and allowed far too many ball carriers to get comfortable. Senior Shawn Crable is primed for a breakout season.

The Wolverines are solid at one cornerback spot with senior Leon Hall, a 2005 second-team All-Big Ten selection. Ryan Mundy's junior season was a washout because of a severe shoulder injury. If Mundy can reclaim the free safety spot that he held down as a sophomore, the secondary will improve dramatically. Brandent Englemon and Jamar Adams share the strong safety spot.

SPECIALISTS

Garrett Rivas is one of the nation's most experienced kickers and has made 19 field goals in each of the past two seasons. Rivas has made some clutch kicks during his career but still needs to improve his consistency.

Sophomore Zoltan Mesko and senior Ross Ryan are battling for the punting job. Breaston already holds the school record for career punt return yardage and is second in kickoff return yardage.

FINAL ANALYSIS

After its worst season in 21 years, Michigan has the offensive tools to bounce back into the Big Ten race and national championship picture. The biggest concern with the offensive unit is the lack of depth at quarterback.

English must find more playmakers to help Woodley and Hall. The Wolverines finished 10th in the conference in red zone defense and gave up crucial fourth quarter scores in losses to Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio State and Nebraska.

Mental toughness and leadership will be especially critical this season when the Wolverines face traditional rivals Notre Dame, Penn State and Ohio State on the road.