I mw mr WF w .S w w s i 2B - The Michigan Daily - Kickoff 2003 - Thursday, September 4, 2003 The Michigan Daily - Kickoff 2003 TABLE Of CONTENTS 3 The heartbreak hotel J. Brady McCollough takes some time to discuss the Michigan football team and its relationship with fans in a whole new context. 4 Perry on the run Chris Perry is poised and ready to become that explosive force in the backfield the Wolverines have sorely missed. 5 The trident Michigan hasn't had a dominant three-man offensive attack since 2000. Can Navarre, Perry and Edwards become a go-to trio? 6&7 Unlocking a championship What are the keys to winning a national championship this season? A look at what it will take for Michigan to finish on top. 8 A Michigan line Michigan's offensive line is powerful, experienced and dangerous. Is it ready to protect Navarre? 9 Mature LeSueur When people think Jeremy LeSueur, they think pass interference and a loss to Michigan State. LeSueur is out to change that. 10 Big Ten Preview Who will be tops in the Big Ten this year? Who will be standing at the end of the season? Find out in our conference analysis. 11 Picks and stuff How much do we really know about college football? Check out our preseason picks and national outlook. Ibz £Kickgan 20ig Kickoff 2003 Michigan football is back, and all of us here at The Michigan Daily are pleased to welcome you all back for another season of fall magic. As always, this will be a season of high expectations for the Wolverines. With talent and experience, they are poised for a run at the Sugar Bowl. Join us on Saturdays when Football Saturday highlights the week that was and the day that will be. And enjoy our comprehensive day-to- day coverage, which promises to keep you up to date with the goings on of the Wolverines. In this Kickoff 2003, we take an in depth look at the many weapons this team possesses, and what each player will have to do in order for the team to have a successful season. For the first time since 2000, the Wolverines boast a notable quarterback-running back-wide receiver combination in John Navarre, Chris Perry and Braylon Edwards. The offensive line has developed into a cohesive unit over the past few years and is a force up front. On defense, several key players have returned from injury and are eager to hit some people. The secondary, led by newly-appointed safety and the preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Marlin Jackson, is quick and athletic. Michigan fans should all be looking forward to a promising season, and we're here to bring you all the trials, tribulations and triumphs as they unfold. Naweed Sikora J. Brady McColloughE Courtney Lewis Kyle O'Neill 2003 Michigan roster No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Year/Elk. 56 LaMarr Woodley LB 2003 MICHIGAN SCHEDULE Date Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1 Nov. 15 Nov. 22 Opponent Central Michigan - W, 45-7 Houston Notre Dame at Oregon Indiana at Iowa at Minnesota Illinois Purdue at Michigan State at Northwestern Ohio State .1 s Ila We're giving away $1,000 at each store! 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 12 12 13 13 14 15 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 21 22 22 23 24 25 26 26 27 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 45 46 49 50 51 52 52 54 55 55 Braylon Edwards WR 6-3 205 Shawn Crable LB 6-5 223 Mark Spencer P 5-11211 Marlin Jackson CB 6-1 189 Ross Ryan P 6-0 203 Darnell Hood RB 5-11188 Dave Underwood R B 6-0 220 Prescott BurgessS 6-2 215 Alijah Bradley RB 5-6 152 Spencer Brinton QB 6-5 224 Jason Avant WR 6-1 206 Matt Wilde QB 6-2 191 Tyrece Butler W R 6-3 213 Anton Campbell RB 5-11188 Troy Nienberg PK 6-2 171 Clayton Richard QB 6-4 220 Brandon Williams CB 5-11186 Matt Gutierrez QB 6-4 212 Jeff Kastl QB 6-3 214 Larry Stevens DL 6-3 261 Andy Mignery TE/P6-3 250 Jonathan Borden LB 6-1 222 Steve Breaston W R 6-1 169 John Navarre QB 6-6 228 Carl Tabb W R 6-2 171 Jermaine Gonzales W R 6-2 210 Willis Barringer DB 5-11193 Mike Kaselitz QB 6-4 214 Pierre Rembert RB 6-0 203 Jeremy LeSueur CB 6-1 199 Jon Shaw FS 6-0 202 Ross Kesler WR 6-2 200 Chris Perry RB 6-1 220 Jerome Jackson RB 5-11197 Ernest Shazor DB 6-4 218 Mike Carl DB 6-0 195 Ryan Mundy S 6-1 193 Calvin Bell WR 6-1 197 Quinton McCoy GB 5-9 160 Jacob Stewart DB 6-0 204 Leon Hall GB 6-1 170 Markus Curry CB 5-11181 Zia Combs CB 6-0 182 Kevin Dudley FB 6-1 232 Charles Young WR 5-11195 Philip Brabbs PK 6-2 200 Brian Thompson LB 6-2 212 Brian Lafer W R 5-11190 Scott McClintock LB 6-2 243 Zach Kaufman ILB 6-1 234 Garrett Rivas PK 5-10 180 Adam Finley P/K 6-4 206 Obianna Oluigbo LB 6-0 224 Tim Bracken RB 5-10207 John Spytek OLB 6-4 240 Carl Diggs ILB 6-1 247 Phil Brackins TE 6-4 231 Nick Upchurch WR 5-7 180 Brent Cummings CB 5-11190 Jeremy Van Alstyne LB 6-4 235 Mike Kolodziej TE 6-7 300 Ross Mann LS 6-1 220 Kolby Wells LB 6-2 229 Mark Bihl OL 6-4 278 Andy Christopfel OL 6-3 295 Jeremy Read LB 6-1 227 Jr. So. Fr. Fr. So. So. Jr. Jr. So. So. So. So. So. So. Fr. Fr. So. So. 5th Sr. So. So. So. So. 5th Sr. Fr. Fr. 5th Sr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Sr. So. So. So. So. Sr. Sr. 5th Sr. Sr. Sr. So. So. 5th Sr. So. So. Sr. Sr. So. So. 5th Sr. So. So. 5th Sr. 5th Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Jr. So. So. So. Fr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. 5th Sr. So. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Jr. So. So. Sr. Jr. 5th Sr. 5th Sr. 5th Sr. 5th Sr. 5th Sr. So. So. So. So. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. So. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. 57 Dave Pearson 58 Roy Manning 59 Joey Sarantos 60 Grant Bowman 62 Courtney Morgan 63 Derek Bell 64 Jeff Gaston 65 Leo Henige 66 Andrew King 66 Paul Sarantos 67 Matt Lentz 68 Patrick Sharrow 69 David Schoonover 70 Dan Simelis 71 Tom Berishaj 72 Rueben Riley 74 Demeterius Solomon 75 David Baas 76 Mike Kolodziej 77 Tony Pape 78 Gabriel Watson 79 Adam Stenavich 80 Chris Matsos 81 Brent Cummings 82 Mike Mandich 83 Adam Kraus 84 Kevin Murphy 85 Dave Spytek 86 Jim Fisher 88 Tim Massaquoi 89 Tyler Ecker 90 Norman Heuer 91 Rondell Biggs 92 William Paul 93 Alex Ofili 94 Patrick Massey 94 Matt Studenski 95 Alain Kashama 95 Mike Mandich 96 Chris Matsos 96 Larry Harrison 97 Luke Perl 99 Andy Stejskal 99 Pierre Woods OL 0 LB LB DL OL OL OL OL LS LB OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL DL OL WR WR TE TE TE TE TE WR TE DL DL DE DL DL TE DL TE WR DL PK WR DL 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-1 6-3 6-5 6-5 6-4 6-1 6-4 6-6 6-3 6-3 6-7 6-4 6-3 6-6 6-5 6-7 6-6 6-4 6-5 6-0 5-11 6-3 6-5 6-5 6-7 6-5 6-4 6-6 6-5 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-8 6-4 6-5 6-3 6-0 6-3 6-0 6-4 6-5 261 291' 238 217 290 298 267 287 318 245 252 301 270 274 283 313 318 297 320 304 305 358 302 206 193 242 269 240 250 249 231 240 288 261 255 262 260 190 259 241 206 321 206 198 238 Fr. Fr. 5th Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. 5th Sr. 5th Sr. Jr. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. So. So. So. Jr. So. Fr. Fr. Jr. So. Jr. So. So. So. So. So. 5th Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Fr. 5th Sr. So. So. Jr. So. Jr. So. 5th Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. So. Jr. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. So. So. 5th Sr. So. So. So. So. Jr. So. Jr. So. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. So. So. So. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. WATCHf Roy Williams, WR, Texas 2002 Stats: 64 Catches, 1,142 yards (95.1 per game), 12 touchdowns Williams has a good chance of being the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. Add that in with the fact that he is a star on a top-10 team, and you have a legiti- mate Heisman contender. Williams could have left after last season for the NFL and could have been a top-15 pick, but he decided on coming back to get another shot at the national title and the Heisman. A hamstring injury kept Williams at less than 100 percent in six of the Longhorns' games last season, but he was nearly unstoppable when he was healthy. Since the Heisman has been given to successful teams in the past, if Texas can finally beat Okla- homa and get to the Sugar Bowl, you can bet on Williams being invited to the Yale Athletic Club. Philip Rivers, QB, N.C. State 2002 Stats:216-of-418 passing (52.8 percent), 3,353 yards, 20 touchdowns, 10 interceptions The four-year starter and family man - he already has a wife and kid - Rivers has had the N.C. State athletic department run his Heisman campaign since 2002. Quarterbacks have won the last three years, and Rivers could be the fourth as he and his Wolfpack are among the favorites to win to the last ACC Championship not involving Miami or Virginia Tech. His stats and all-around game will bring in media hype for the award. His maturity will help him not get overcome by it. Cody Pickett, QB, Washington 2002 Stats: 365-of-612 passing (59.6 percent), 4,458 yards, 28 TDs, 14 INTs Pickett's chances didn't get off to the best start in Columbus last Saturday as the Huskies got thrashed by the Buck- eyes. Pickett still threw for 255 yards, but it was against a very strong run defense forcing the pass. Another thing Pickett has going for him is one of the best receivers in the nation in Reggie Williams. Williams is a darkhorse can- didate himself, but the attention should gravitate toward the senior if Washing- ton can improve upon its 7-6 record. That, however, may be a tough task if the Huskies can't put the Rick Neuhis- el-gambling mess behind them. EM Roberson, QB, Kaias State 2002 Stats: 91-of-175 passing (52.0 percent), 1,580 yards, 7 TDs, 4 INTs, 202 carries, 1,032 yards, (86.9 yds./game), 16 TDs Roberson has emerged as one of the best running quarterbacks in the nation. His team has also emerged as a contender in the national cham- pionship race. Playing in the easier division of the Big 12, Kansas State looks like a clear favorite in the Big 12 North. If the Wildcats can move beyond the conference title game and into the Sugar Bowl, Roberson will play be a crucial figure in Heisman voting. STAFF PICKS Preseason selections Michigan final record Michigan final AP ranking Big Ten champion Big Ten second place Big Ten third place Surprise Big Ten team Surprise Michigan loss Michigan MVP Heisman winner National Champion National Runner-up ACC champion Big 12 champion Big East champion Pac-10 champion SEC champion Mid-major threat Most overrated Kellen Winslow, Miami Ell Roberson, Kansas Stat Courtney Lewis 12-1 4 Michigan Ohio State Iowa Minnesota Minnesota Chris Perry J. Brady McCollough 11-2 5 (tie) Mich., OSU (7-1) Wisconsin Purdue Minnesota Minnesota John Navarre Auburn WATIOWAL 0OLITL( Michigan fans have the hope that the Wolverines will somehow run the table and make the national championship game in New Orleans. If that happens, Michigan would likely match-up with one of these teams in the Sugar Bowl. Oklahoma The Sooners are the consensus No. 1 team in the nation going into the season. With a defense returning nine starters from a squad that gave up just 15.4 ppg last season and two newstarters that are arguably better than the old ones, it is safe to assume that Oklahoma will be vying for the national championship. Their offense is seen as a weakness, but the Soon- ers were second in the Big 12 in scoring last season. If the Sooners can beat Texas during the regular season and can avoid a third straight upset loss to Oklahoma State, look for the Sooners to get to the Big 12 Championship game and be high in the Bowl Champi- onship Series rankings. Southern Cal. ESPN the Magazine featured two Auburn linebackers on the cover of its college football preview. Maybe it should have featured its opening opponent, the Trojans. Not only did Southern Cal. win at Auburn, it held the Tigers scoreless at home for the first time since 1998. No Pac-10 team has gone to the national champi- onship game since the Bowl Champi- onship Series, but early indications show that Southern Cal. has it this year. Redshirt sophomore Matt Leinart beat out four candidates for the job as Carson Palmer's replace- ment and threw for 192 yards against Auburn. But it will be Southern Cal.'s defense that will let its national title hopes sink or swim. Kansas State When the Wildcats travel to Austin to take on the Longhorns on Oct. 4, it will be the first time they have played a team from a BCS conference since their season opener against Califor- nia. If Kansas State can get past that, it has a great chance of running the table. With nine retuning starters from the nation's second-best scoring offense, the feeling in Manhattan is that this team has a shot. Miami There is no question that Coral Gables is a factory of first-round draft picks. But after losing four first- Kyle 0'Neill 12 1 (tie) Mich., Pt Minne low India Purn Carl D e Kevin Jones Michi Virginia N.C. E Tex Virgin i Washi Aubt Miami Wiscc Miami (Fla.) Oklahoma Virginia Oaklahoma Miami (Fla.) Southern Cal. Georgia Marshall Kansas State Southern Cal. Florida State Kansas State Miami (Fla.) Southern Cal. Tennessee Northern Illinois Arizona State J(ickcff the new cwfw6e tan and foot~aft oeasaon wit&c JI/(igaa pp aitef, edchic6. texboo&d, 6c~eof and axt3uppie, at September 2-5th Must register within KICKOFF 2003 PRODUCTION CREW Kyle O'Neill J. Brady McCollough Courtney Lewis Naweed Sikora Louie Meizlish J. Brady McCollough Tony Ding Tony Ding Jeff Valuck Julie Lee Adrienne Barclay Football Writers Editor In Chief Managing Editor Photo Editor Cover Photos Business Manager Display Sales Manager Ad Design Manager Display Sales Account Executives: Jeffrey Braun, Lynne Chaimowitz, Tera Free- man, Sarah Hoopfer, Ahrim Hwang, Erin Ott. Special thanks to: Chris Burke, Bob Hunt, Michael Nisson, Gennaro Filice, Ellen McGar- rity, Megan Kolodgy.