Jim Harbaugh returns to the Michigan Wolverine’s sideline once again in 2019 looking to finally get over the hump and bring Michigan Football back to glory. They have been on the cusp of the playoff multiple times in recent years. However, haven’t been able to make that extra push and get there. Will this be the year the Wolverines finally break through?

Prestige Ranking (If NCAA Football 20 Existed): 6*

Last Year’s Record: 10-3 (8-1)

After losing to Notre Dame in the opener, Shea Patterson and the team seemed to regroup and get back on track. This led to wins over *almost* all the teams it lost to the year before. In what Chase Winovich termed, “the revenge tour,” Michigan went out and thoroughly handled Wisconsin, Michigan State and Penn State. They were on their way to the Playoff until they went to Columbus to face their biggest rival. This loss kept them out of the playoff and sent them to the Peach Bowl. There, they would lose to the Florida Gators to finish the season.

Projected Returning Starters:

Offense: 9

This unit will be downright scary next year. With new coordinator Josh Gattis looking to revolutionize the Michigan offense, they certainly will have the tools to do it. They return their 2 starting WRs, Nico Collins and Donovan Peoples-Jones, from last year (and another who would’ve started had it not been for an injury, Tarik Black). They bring back 4 of the 5 starters up front. Possibly the biggest returning starter is QB, Shea Patterson. The former blue chip recruit looked good for the Wolverines last year. If he makes the next step, it will be hard to envision the Wolverines missing the playoff this season, and Patterson, himself, could even make a run at the Heisman.

Defense: 5

In what was ranked as the top unit in the country last year going into the season ending bout with Ohio State, Michigan certainly has some retooling to do this year. They lost three of their four DL starters (including first round pick Rashan Gary and captain Chase Winovich), as well as top 10 pick Devin Bush at MLB. In what was a stellar pass defense last year, they bring back two starters in the secondary. Khaleke Hudson will look to return to his 2017 form at viper this fall. If he does so, it will help stabilize the defense as they work some of the new pieces into the system.

Special Teams: 4

The Wolverines return their placekicker, punter, and both the punt and kick returners to Ann Arbor this fall to solidify one of the most important aspects of the game.

Key Newcomer: Offense- Coordinator Josh Gattis

It seems odd to make the most important newcomer a non-player, but this seems like it is the only correct answer. Michigan was stuck running a ground a pound offense that was decades old. They simply didn’t have enough firepower to hang with new look, spread offenses. Josh Gattis very well could change that. Last year, he was the co-OC at Alabama, who was third in the country in scoring offense. If he brings that same kind of spark to Michigan, watch out.

Key Newcomer: Defense- DE Aidan Hutchinson

Hutchinson, a 4-star recruit coming out of high school, will get extended time on the rebuilt Michigan defensive line this year. While only appearing in seven games last year for the Wolverines as a freshman, Hutchinson accumulated 12 tackles. With another year of strength building and experience, Hutchinson looks to make a leap this year and become a major contributor for this defense.

Michigan Wins the Big Ten if…

They can get over the Ohio State hump. As I said, they’ve been right on the cusp of the Playoff (and a Big Ten Title) multiple times recently. They were just unable to beat Urban Meyer and Ohio State. With Urban out and Michigan having the right pieces, this looks like their best opportunity at a conference title since Jim Harbaugh got to Ann Arbor.

Circle This Game on the Calendar: 11/30 vs Ohio State

This is always the game to circle for both of these teams. Regardless of any backdrops happening, this is the biggest rivalry in college football, and one of the biggest in all of sports. Michigan has The Game at home this year, looking to break what is their longest losing streak in the history of the rivalry.

2019 Outlook: 11-1 (8-1)

They have some tough games that can trip them up, such as games on the road at Wisconsin, and to Happy Valley for a white out game against the Nittany Lions. But, I think they will prevail in those games due to far superior talent and coaching. The only game I see them losing this year is to the Buckeyes. I don’t know if Harbaugh can get the Ohio State demons out of his head even this year without Urban Meyer on the opposing sideline. They will make a New Years Six bowl. And who knows, with enough chaos, they could sneak into the Playoff. Alabama did the same thing in 2017 on their way to winning a national title.