3 issues facing the Michigan football team for 2010

The Michigan football team's biggest concerns entering 2009 were youth at key positions on offense and a lack of depth on defense. Both bit the Wolverines in the end. What are the major issues facing Michigan in 2010? Here are 3 to consider:

Rich Rodriguez

Who’s the boss?: With athletic director Bill Martin set to retire in September (or whenever his replacement is hired), Rich Rodriguez will answer to a new boss - one who didn’t hire him. Rodriguez is a smart man. He knows how things work in major college athletics. Either he shows significant improvement, or chances are he’ll be out of a job. These situations rarely end well.

Vitamin D: Michigan gave up the most points in school history last year and nearly topped that mark this season. It remains to be seen if any staff changes will be made, but if the Wolverines can at least cobble together a top-half-of-the-conference defense they’ll be a formidable foe. Penn State, Ohio State and Iowa led the Big Ten in scoring and total defense this year and all are bound for Jan. 1 bowls. Defense wins in the Big Ten.

Sonic youth: Two true freshmen started every game for Michigan in 2009, and several others played key roles. With numbers thin in the senior class, the Wolverines will be counting on more new faces to fill important positions. J.B. Fitzgerald and Brandon Smith will be in the mix for starting linebacker jobs, as many as three new faces could start in the secondary and Michigan’s entire offensive backfield could be underclassmen. All will have to grow up quick.

Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.