Crazy 4 Maize and Blue

As the 2014 season gets set to unfold I've got a slew of bold statements, biased outlooks, and straight-up facts that should help in getting any Wolverine fan excited. Yes, I do believe it pays to be positive, even if I've been proven wrong more times than not as of late. This year will be different, mark my words! Anyway, here are some things to think about as the season approaches: Facts: 80% of the roster last season was made up of first and second year players who will now be true sophomores, true juniors, and redshirt freshmen. At least 18 freshmen got significant playing time in 2013, with several collecting a few starts and three making the conference's All-Freshman Team (Kalis, Butt, and Henry). There are more four and five-star former recruits on the roster now than there has been since 2007. Brady Hoke has graduated all 69 of the seniors he has coached since arriving at Michigan nearly four years ago. Attrition has gone down considerably und

LB Jake Ryan 1.  LB Jake Ryan (Sr), 6'3" 225 lbs:  The heart and soul of what should be a very good defense, Ryan will set the tone with his rare ability to penetrate and pursue with reckless abandon and a total disregard for his self. The fifth-year senior is the ultimate Michigan man and a great example of the type of player Hoke and company want in their program. He is as smart and coach-able as any other player in the conference and should have no problem moving to the middle from the strong-side. There should be no residual effects of a the knee surgery he had nearly 17 months ago either. Anything short of an all-conference performance in his last season would be disappointing. 2. QB Devin Gardner (Sr), 6'4" 210 lbs:  If things are to go well on offense this year the Wolverines will need consistent play from Gardner, no matter what position he ends up playing. He is one of the top athletes on the team with plenty of experience now on his resume, so  now  i