I’ve stumbled upon a college football blog that I’ve enjoyed reading over the past few days called Pre-Snap Read. A few days ago they previewed UCONN coming in with a ranking of #39. A couple days later they have Michigan coming in at #37. It’s a decent read with a some tidbits that make previews on that site different from the previews you are accustomed to seeing in the worldwide leader or some other major media machine.

All in all – it’s a preview worth checking out. A couple notes that stood out to me….

For Rodriguez, a reputation is on the line. For Michigan, the future of a proud program lies in the balance. Times like these can test a fan base. It’s time to keep the faith.

But make no mistake: it was injuries — as well as little depth — that burned Michigan down the stretch. This was particularly the case in the secondary, where Troy Woolfolk’s transition to cornerback cost the Wolverines their most dependable safety in pass coverage. His position change was due partly to injuries, partly to attrition, partly to the often inept play of Michigan’s cornerbacks during the start of Big Ten play. With his move went any semblance of Michigan’s pass defense, with the resulting effect on the rush defense due to overcompensation against the pass.

A lack of depth is also to blame for the second-half collapse. Attrition was an early issue under Rodriguez, but blame must also lie in the relatively bare cupboard — by Michigan’s standards — left by the preceding staff.

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