4 II.~ Jpp'y~ LI .JrI .,r.I I. - 1'UflyT LA, X~riA~t~i1,r . ~ '1I . QmntnnAhbr 1-1.1 q- kirkenff-'Q C3 - I 1%I II.IIIt g l uclly '-- II% Uf tIyou' y:(°" '"{,Fj, f { 4 - .) -- POSrnON EPEVIIEWS O0N-CON FEREN _- Y R . . E i tf I . L 2 . 3 ) - r i1 .,rv v ij _ w w 7_ w Griese, Dreisbach battle for QB position behind new-look line New-look Notre Dame renews storied, old rivalry Quarterbacks Lloyd Carr should have known bet- ter. There's something mystical about things happening on New Year's Day coming back to haunt you. The Michigan coach jinxed himself at the press conference following last season's Outback Bowl defeat against Alabama, when he was questioned about something that has subsequently become a four-letter word in his vocabulary - quarterbacks. "The last thing I want to do is start a quarterback controversy," Carr fateful- ly said nipe months ago. Imagine, then, what may have been some of the things that he most want- ed to do. Whether he admits it or not, Carr has the most troubling dilemma for a football coach on his hands. What may please this master of second-guessing is that the quarterback decision will not be completely resolved this season unless Brian Griese or Scott Dreisbach can make fans forget about Michigan failing to land a high-schooler named Peyton Manning four years ago. Both Griese and Dreisbach have their strong points, but they each serve as the other's biggest enemy to earning the job outright because of what makes them attractive to Carr as a starter. Griese, as evidenced by his leading Michigan to a second-half comeback against Ohio State last year and performing admirably in defeat against Alabama, possesses more lead- ership qualities and seems to have a better overall field sense while in the pocket. His arm, however, is nothing short of mediocre. Dreisbach, on the other hand, has a stronger arm and is clearly the better overall athlete. His 72-yard touchdown scamper against Illinois last season showed that, if need be, he can effectively scramble. He's also the sentimental choice for some, if that's possible, because of the record-setting debut he turned in against Virginia in the 1995 season-opener throwing for 372 yards on 27 completions. But Dreisbach's confidence level has to be questioned. After all, his name was practically etched in stone as the team's signal-caller for most of the 1996 campaign, becoming only the fourth Wolverine to throw for more than 2,000 yards in a season. Then, almost suddenly, a subpar half against Ohio State and a season's worth of pounding caught up to him and cost him his job for Michigan's two biggest games of the season. Regardless of who Carr ultimately chooses, this scenario is just a disaster waiting to happen. Even though Carr adamantly says his decision will be final and a two-quaterback system similar to that of Ohio State's - where Stanley Jackson and Joe Germaine alternate halves - is out of the ques- tion, the starter will always feel threat- ened knowing there is a backup just as capable licking his chops to regain his job. With that said, how effective can the starter be if he has to constantly be looking over his shoulder wondering if his next interception or failed third- down conversion means a seat on the bench? -Alan Goldenbach Quarterbacks The starter Pos. No. Name Yr./Elig. QB 12 Scott Dreisbach Sr./Jr. or 14 Brian Griese 5/Sr. The backups QB 10 Tom Brady Jr./So. QB 13 Jason Kapsner So./Fr. FILE PHOO Michigan coach Uoyd Carr isn't tipping his hand as to who will be the quarter- back, but indications are that fifth-year senior Brian Griese will run the offense. Offensive line With last year's MVP, center Rod Payne, gone to graduation along with guard Damon Denson and tackle Thomas Guynes, the Wolverines lost a side of beef - the left side - on an offensive line that was erratic at best last season. Most days, when the running game sputtered, there were no holes through which to run. This season, the Wolverines have shuffled things up a bit to compensate. Redshirt freshman Jeff Backus, who missed spring practice while recovering from surgery to repair a ruptured appen- dix, will play left tackle. Fifth-year senior Zach Adami has started the Wolverines' past 23 games, but he will leave his entrenched spot at right guard to play center. Sophomore Chris Ziemann was expected to battle Backus for time at left tackle but will start at right guard instead to replace Adami. Ziemann's move leaves sophomore Steve Frazier, considered full of potential by coach Lloyd Carr, on the bench. Redshirt freshman Steve Hutchinson had an excellent spring and will start at left guard, backed up by highly heralded red- shirt freshman Paul Tannous. Through it all, the anchor will be co- captain Jon Jansen, a 6-foot-7, 290- pound junior who could be an All- American this season. A third-year starter, Jansen is playing his second sea- son at right tackle and has started the Wolverines' past 25 games. Nimble enough to be recruited and redshirted as a tight end. Jansen has the quick feet and good hands that, when combined with his bulk, could make him a high NFL draft pick if he were to forego his final year of eligibility this winter. But Jansen has given no indica- tion that he will. "Being named captain' is the greatest honor ever for me in sports," said Jansen, who was an All-Big Ten honorable men- tion in 1996 and a frequent dream-team selection in high school. "To be elected by your peers to lead them in battle is one of the greatest honors anyone can have, especially at Michigan. It is a wonderful honor to be in such an elite group." Carr has plenty of praise for Jansen. "Jon Jansen is smart, tough and deter- mined," Carr said. "There is no question that he will be a great leader." - Nicholas JCotsonika Offensive Line The starters Ps. No. NameYr.Elg. LT 79 Jeff ckus SoFr. LG 76 Steve Hutchinson So./Fr. C 68 Zach Adami s/Sr. RG 52 Chris Ziemann Jr./So. RT 77 Jon Jansen Sr./Jr. The backups C 64 Steve Frazier Jr./So G 67 .avid Brandt So./Fr. G 73 Paul Tannous So,/Fr. T 72 Ben Mast Fr./Fr. T 71 Jeff Potts Jr./So. Michigan is the only school with more all-time victories than Notre Dame (764- 747), but the Fighting Irish are quick to point out that the Wolverines have played eight more seasons. And Michigan is the only school still competitive in the modern era that has played Notre Dame more than four times and holds a winning record in the series (15-10-1). But the Irish are quick here, too, pointing out that eight Michigan victories came before 1909. About all that is clear amid the strug- gle for bragging rights is that this is a bit- ter, storied rivalry that is finally being renewed after a two-year hiatus. The Wolverines are scheduled to play the Irish every year until 2010 - except for 2000 and 2001 - and the games are likely to be good. The combined score for the past six games has Notre Dame ahead, 134-133. Six of the past seven games have been decided by five points or less. The Irish, of course, have a new look this season. In addition to the S50 mil- lion renovation of Notre Dame Stadium, Lou Holtz resigned just short of Knute Rockne's school record for coaching vic- tories to pave the way for rookie Bob Davie. Senior quarterback Ron Powlus is a four-year starter and holds the school record for career touchdown passes with 43. The Heisman Trophy hype that once smothered him is now gone, freeing him to work within a pass-oriented offense that should expose his considerable tal- ent. Junior tailback Autry Denison is now the Irish's Heisman hopeful. But even with Powlus and Autry, not to mention defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, who coached at Michigan the past five years, Davie's first spin in this Porsche of programs could be bumpy. "It's like a new car," Davie said. "Sometimes, the first time you drive it, you don't know how it handles." - Nicholas .1 Cotsonika Bears have feeble growl Baylor, Against Michigan: Sept. 20 Where: Michigan Stadium D The first and last time Michigan played Baylor, the Wolverines were the ninth-ranked team in the country and Baylor was unranked, yet the Bears walked out of Ann Arbor with a 14-14 tie. The year was 1975. Now, 22 years later and despite the Wolverines' lower national ranking, another tie is not expected. The Wolverines should not have a problem topping Baylor in the Wolverines' second non-conference matchup of the season. The Bears finished 4-7 overall and at the bottom of the Big 12 Southern Division last season. They hope to changS things this season with new coach Dave Roberts and a new pass- ing attack. Offensively, the Bears are solid in most areas. Quarterbacks Jeff Watson and Jermaine Alfred both have play- ing experience. Watson passed for 3,981 yards and 25 touchdowns over the past three seasons, and Alfred passed for 1,148 yards and eight touchdowns last year. Baylor's ground game is decent. Running back Jerod Douglas is the No. 3 runner in school history. The problems arise with the Bears' thin receiving corps and lack of depth on the offensive and defensive lines. A tough schedule, like playing at 1996 Record: 1-7 Big 12 (6th place Southern Division), 4-7 overall Coach: Dave Roberts, 1st season Last meeting: Michigan 14, Baylor 14; Sept. 27, 1975 Overall series: Tied, 0-0-1, Key players QB Jeff Watson, Sr. RB Jerod Douglas, Sr. LB Jason Jackson, So. Michigan next week, may reduce the Bears to a mere wimper this season. - Danielle Rumore Michigan's Premier Multi-tap Come in and see all of the NEW DRAFTS which have arrived since you were last here! As well as our Happy Hours and Lunch specials and Live Music in the underground 191. LOS Dar 0v4 Key QB TS Ca V38 S. State " 996-9191 " http://wv I% I Don't Ignore the Signs. If you need vision care... 320 S. State St. (Lower level Decker Drugs) 662-1945 5 UyOV SOO .0 s Eye I f1~Y