Adam Rittenberg, ESPN.com’s Big Ten blogger lays down a few of his predictions for the Wolverines this upcoming 2009 season. Here Rittenberg goes:

1. Brandon Minor rushes for at least 1,300 yards — Michigan’s run game should be its strength, and Minor leads a strong stable of backs. After playing last season with essentially one arm, Minor is 100 percent healthy and primed for an excellent senior season. He showed featured-back qualities at times last fall and will be running behind a more seasoned offensive line in Year 2 of Rich Rodriguez’s offense.

Disagree – this is possible, but the carries might get spread amongst the stable of backs to the point where Minor doesn’t get as many yards as he would otherwise. Carlos Brown has always shown promise on gamedays when he gets some carries and a crack. It’ll be a matter of who can stay healthy and get into a rhythm. I’d like to see Rich Rod get a guy into a groove and stick with him if he is producing. So we will see – no doubt Brandon Minor is the premier back in the lineup and has some hefty expectations to carry on his shoulders this year.

2. At least two players will start games at quarterback — True freshman Tate Forcier should get the first shot, but another signal caller will take snaps at some point, either because of performance or injury. Denard Robinson will get a chance to prove himself in preseason camp, and his elite speed shouldn’t go to waste. And don’t forget about Nick Sheridan, who was performing well in spring ball before breaking his leg. Sheridan likely isn’t the long-term solution, but he’ll be more comfortable running the system this fall after a difficult 2008.

Agree – it would be a miracle if Michigan has only one quarterback starts against Western Michigan and do a killer job through to the Ohio State game. Forgetting about Nick Sheridan has been all too easy to do given Forcier’s performance in the spring game. If Tate can play above average, not make the critical mistakes, and win the home opener – I think the Michigan team and fans are really going to rally around the guy.

3. Michigan makes it back to the postseason — The Wolverines are at least a year away from contending for the Big Ten title, but 6-8 wins is certainly a reasonable expectation, given their schedule. Michigan will survive Week 1 for the first time since 2006 and could start 4-0 if things fall the right way. There will still be some growing pains with a young team, but Michigan should find its way to Orlando, Tempe or, at worst, Detroit.

Agree – Michigan has a manageable schedule with some games they absolutely should win – my game-by-game predictions will be coming later.

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