Ohio State might be regarded by some as the preseason favorite in the extremely competitive Big Ten, but don't underestimate the history, tradition and talent at Michigan.

Despite a 45-17 loss to Tennessee in the Florida Citrus Bowl that gave the Wolverines' an overall record of 8-4 last season, there are plenty of reasons for optimism in 2002.

	Michigan QB John Navarre threw 19 TDs and 13 interceptions in 2001.

Last year, Michigan handled eventual Big Ten champ Illinois easily, 45-20. The Wolverines also appeared to have a road victory wrapped up against Washington only to have a field-goal attempt blocked and returned for a TD -- followed on the next series by an interception returned for a TD -- in a 23-18 loss. Plus, in a controversial 26-24 loss to Michigan State, the Spartans won on a Jeff Smoker-to-T.J. Duckett TD pass with no time left on the clock. With a break or two, the Wolverines could have won 10 games in 2001.

OFFENSE
This season, the key for the Wolverines will be improving their offensive production. Junior QB John Navarre completed just 53.8 percent of his aerials with 19 TD passes and 13 interceptions in his first season as the starter in 2001.

Junior Spencer Brinton, who transferred from San Diego State before last season, is challenging Navarre. At 6-4½ and 225 pounds, the southpaw played well in the spring. The Wolverines also landed highly rated quarterback Matt Gutierrez (6-4, 200) of Concord, Calif. With Navarre and Brinton on hand, they would prefer to redshirt Gutierrez and prepare him to make a run at the starting job in 2003. Versatile sophomore Germaine Gonzalez also could see some action at QB as a change of pace, but most of his duty will be as an extra wideout.

Wide receiver is another critical spot for the Wolverines. Veteran Marquise Walker was lost to graduation, along with his 81 receptions in '01, which set a school single-season record. Walker also became the Wolverines' all-time career receptions leader (171). Senior Ronald Bellamy has seen lots of action over the years, while junior Tyrece Butler enjoyed a fine showing at spring practice and could be poised for a breakout year. Junior Calvin Bell will also be a vital target.

The Wolverines are known for developing quality pass-receiving options at tight end, and 2002 should not be an exception as senior Bennie Joppru moves into a starting role.

In the backfield, the focus must be on re-establishing a consistent ground game with game-breaking ability. The Wolverines struggled in this area late last season. Senior B.J. Askew will open at fullback and also figures heavily when Michigan utilizes a one-back set. At tailback, junior Chris Perry will get the initial opportunity with the first team. But he will be challenged by sophomore David Underwood and freshmen Darnell Hood and Pierre Rembert. Behind Askew at fullback is redshirt freshman Sean Sanderson (6-3, 280).

On paper, the Wolverines' young offensive line looks questionable. But this is Michigan football, so you can expect the Wolverines to have a representative unit that could gel by midseason into an outstanding O-line with quality depth. Junior Tony Pape has been shifted from left to right tackle, opening up an opportunity for highly regarded redshirt freshman Adam Stenavich to compete with Demetrius Solomon for the starting job at left tackle. Versatile junior Courtney Morgan has reportedly trimmed down from 325-plus pounds to between 295 and 300; he figures to be in the mix for a starting job at either left tackle or center. At center, Morgan will be competing with sophomore Andy Christopfel and junior Dave Pearson, who moved from the defensive line to center in the spring and showed promise. At guard, sophomore David Baas and redshirt freshman Matt Lentz are penciled in as the starters. Outstanding depth at guard will be provided by seniors Joe Denay and Dave Petruziello and redshirt freshman Leo Henige.

DEFENSE
With so many question marks at quarterback, halfback and receiver -- on top of the restructuring of the offensive line -- there's no question that the pressure will be on the Wolverines' defense early in the 2002 season.

On the defensive line, Michigan has an All-Big Ten performer in senior DE Dan Rumishek and a star-in-the-making on the other side in potential sack artist Shantee Orr. A 6-1 and 250-pound junior, Orr causes serious problems for opposing offensive tackles with his quickness out of the blocks. The interior is keyed by junior Norman Heuer (6-5, 293) and senior Shawn Lazarus (6-4, 297), with junior Grant Bowman a capable backup. Junior Alain Kashama provides quality depth at defensive end. The Wolverines' depth should allow for a good D-line rotation which keeps fresh performers on the field.

Despite the graduation loss of Larry Foote, linebacker should again be a solid position. Battle-tested senior Victor Hobson is usually around the football, while junior Carl Diggs has a chance to become an All-Big Ten performer this season. Also keep an eye on sophomore Roy Manning, who will continue to be worked in effectively as a force on third down.

In the secondary, Michigan is four-deep at cornerback with players who have plenty of game experience, highlighted by All-American caliber sophomore Marlin Jackson. At free safety, senior Cato June is as tough as they come.

With kicker Hayden Epstein moving on to the NFL, Troy Nienberg (a transfer from Dayton) is in the mix for the job along with junior Philip Brabbs. This is an area of concern going into the season. Sophomore Adam Finley will handle the punting duties and could also be in contention for the kicking job.

OVERVIEW
What Michigan found out in a 45-17 Citrus Bowl loss to Tennessee is that speed kills -- and the Vols had more of it. This isn't likely to change overnight, but the potential exists for the Wolverines to field a more consistent offense. Last season, they scored 24 or fewer points in seven games and were held to 20 or less five times. QB is the key. Navarre needs to improve his completion percentage (but he did throw 19 TDs). Brinton demonstrated some upside in the spring, but he hasn't been tested under fire in the Big Ten. At wideout, Bellamy and Butler have talent, but who will step up and want the ball thrown his way like Marquise Walker did?

At running back, can Perry or Underwood provide the necessary consistency? Or will it be up to freshmen Hood and Rembert? Askew will open at fullback but also could figure heavily when the Wolverines go to a one-back set. The offensive line appears to be in a state of flux and may need two to three games to gain cohesion, but by midseason this group could be strong.

The defense boasts exceptional depth at a variety of positions and is led by standouts such as Rumishek, Orr, Hobson, Jackson and June. In close games, the new kicker must be clutch and consistent (this has to be viewed as a major concern going in). How quickly and effectively the kicking game develops could go a long way toward determining Michigan's win total in 2002.