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The Michigan Wolverines 2009 odds of winning will depend heavily on who the starting quarterback is going to be.
Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez says he plans to use three quarterbacks in the season opener against Western Michigan.
Rodriguez spent about the first 10 minutes of his news conference Sunday answering questions about freshmen Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson, who are competing for snaps along with junior Nick Sheridan.
The Michigan Wolverines odds of winning the BCS Championship were at +9500. Michigan winning the Big 10 Conference would pay $950 on a $100 bet.
Oddsmakers have the Wolverines a favorite to win UNDER 6 ½ 2009 regular season games.
Last year was a horrible season for the Wolverines and few expect them to excel in 2009. They finished the year with a 3-9 record, and a conference record of 2-6.
The Wolverines will be better this year, however, according to the Bleacher Report:
1. They have been in the spread system for one full season. The pro-style attack, previously employed at Michigan, is vastly different than Rich Rod's version of the spread, and it takes a different type of player to operate it.
Many players last year were playing a role that they weren't suited for. Players and coaches are gearing up for this season with a higher level of confidence and trust in one another, having gone through the "growing pains" of last year.
2. Improved QB situation. Want further proof of how different the spread is from the pro-style attack that Big Blue ran prior to last year? Look no further than to the departures of QB's Ryan Mallett (Arkansas) and Steven Threet (Arizona St.), last year's starting QB.
3. More experience on offense. Returning starters is one of the biggest indicators of improvement for every team in the nation.
More odds to win the 2009 Big 10 Conference
Illinois +550
Indiana +4000
Iowa +450
Michigan +950
Michigan State +350
Minnesota +1850
Northwestern +2000
Ohio State +135
Penn State +150
Purdue +4000
Wisconsin +850
Links and Sources:
Bet on the Michigan Wolverines Here
The Bleacher Report Wolverines Preview (2009)
Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com
