In looking back at last year's 3-9 debacle in Rich Rodriguez' first season at Michigan, he had to look to try and find something positive.

So instead, he looks toward 2009.

"Some of the trials and tribulations we went through, we experienced last year, will serve us well this year," Rodriguez said. "Everybody focused on the quarterback and lack of experience there but we had lack of experience everywhere.

"Now, those guys, particularly those guys up front, the offensive line, have played before. The biggest things that experience, particularly in the same system, gives you now when they go through the ball game, they've been there and done that."

That could happen at a lot of spots, including running back, a bunch of the defensive positions and at wide receiver. Where it could still be an issue is at quarterback, where, if Nick Sheridan doesn't start, it'll be a freshman under center and in shotgun.

But where experience helps everywhere is when there are issues that pop up.

"When you've done that and you're an experienced player," Rodriguez said, "you don't panic as much."

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for annarbor.com He can be reached at (734) 623-2558 or at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com.