Campus Confidential

By Adam Abramson

Things might seem a little different in Ann Arbor this year.

Michigan's stifling defense was more than enough to garner an at-large BCS berth, be it a trouncing to Southern California in the Rose Bowl. Lloyd Carr's boys gave up just 564 yards for the entire season. And if you can somehow take away the 187 yards that Ohio State shredded them for, it'd be even more insane.

But LaMarr Woodley, Alan Branch, David Harris (now with the Jets), Prescott Burgess, Leon Hall and Willis Barringer -- all impact players -- have since skipped town.

Who didn't skip town are most important parts of the Wolverine offense. Quarterback Chad Henne, running back Mike Hart, left tackle Jake Long and wide receiver Mario Manningham have come back to be the front line of a very deep attack.

Henne enters this year with one last shot to show he's matured into the quarterback that Michigan will need to make a national title run. He was thrown into the fire back in 2004 as a freshman and put up numbers very similar to what he posted as a junior. The Michigan faithful can't be unhappy with Henne's body of work, but I really think he's been capable of so much more and hasn't climbed the ladder the way quarterbacks should in college. After his freshman year, you had to expect he'd be in the running for a Heisman down the road. But then again, it's not too late. It's funny to say that a third-team All American is just not getting the job done as he should, but that's the case.

Henne will have a ton of support this year, though. Having your rear protected by the best offensive linemen in college certainly helps. I'll go as far as saying Jake Long coming back for another season could be the difference between a win and a loss at some point during the season. If not for a foot injury during his sophomore year, he would have about 35 starts under his belt. Instead he has a measly 27. With Adam Kraus lining up to Long's right, strong side is definitely left side.

If I'm Mike Hart, I'm finding Nos. 77 and 57 and letting them plow the way for me. Michigan fans have to love their tailback -- he's a symbol of consistency and toughness. He's started all but four games of his career, that includes playing much of 2005 hobbled. His team is 17-2 when he eclipses the century mark in yards, so get Hart the ball this season. And the beautiful thing is the depth behind him. Brandon Minor had flashes of brilliance last year and will be a solid two-punch all fall long.

At receiver, Mario Manningham showed what he's capable of when he lit up Notre Dame last year. Remember the stat line: 4 catches, 137 yards, 3 TDs. If he can play in every game this year, there's no reason he should miss marks of 60 catches, 1,050-1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has that much talent and Adrian Arrington to keep all eyes from being on him when Henne takes a five-step drop. Also helping matters is tight ends Mike Massey and Chris McLaurin -- both are very athletic tight ends who can get 15 yards down field and complicate matters.

But we all know Michigan made it's bread with that defense. Despite the exodus, hope is not entirely lost. Safety Jamar Adams, linebacker and sack master Shawn Crable, tackle Terrance Taylor and corner Morgan Trent form a very solid foundation. Guys like tackle Will Johnson, linebacker Chris Graham and corner Johnny Sears have waited for this year and need to make an impact for this defense to succeed.

I don't know if there's experience and cohesiveness for them to be in the Top 10 again, but there's no reason it can't be a Top 25 unit.

The schedule isn't out of hand. I would be more concerned with the Sept. 8 date with Oregon, but it's at home. That will be a great test for the defense, however. The schedule makers finished it up quite nice with at Wisconsin and home for Ohio State ... that's just not right.

Player I would shred you with on NCAA Football 2008: Mike Hart

80s theme song: "Runnin' Down a Dream" - Tom Petty (1989) … This is probably the most important senior class in the land, better catch that dream this year.

Save the date: Nov. 10 vs. Wisconsin ... Probably will be more important than the following week's game.