As always, the Wolverines are drawing a ton of buzz this preseason. Some of it for good reason as 16 starters return to Ann Arbor, along with former Ole Miss standout and top recruit Shea Patterson transferring up north. The Big Ten East is going to be a bloodbath and the schedule will be brutal, but this could be a special year for the Michigan faithful.
Prestige Rating (If NCAA Football Still Existed): 6 Stars
Last Year’s Record: 8-5 (5-4)
Projected Returning Starters
Offense
HB Karan Higdon, WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, TE Zach Gentry, TE Sean McKeon, G Michael Onwenu, G Ben Bedeson, T Juwann Bushell-Beatty
Addition by subtraction? Having Shea Patterson coming in at quarterback should help a team that has been devoid of talent under center for awhile. We’ll see if the playcalling will change now that likes of Wilton Speight, John O’Korn, and Brandon Peters aren’t running the show.
Defense
DE Rashan Gary, DE Chas Winovich, DT Bryan Mone, LB Devin Bush, LB Khaleke Hudson, CB Lavert Hill, CB David Long, S Josh Metellus, S Tyree Kinnel
Not surprisingly, after only returning one starter on defense a year ago, almost everyone from that young, stout defense returns. This will be one of the best units in the country once again.
Special Teams
K Quinn Nordin, P Brad Robbins, PR Donovan Peoples-Jones, KR Ambry Thomas
Everyone on the special teams side returns. Remember the kicker that Jim Harbaugh had a sleepover with to recurit? That was Quinn Nordin. If you hadn’t already heard that, be prepared to have ESPN tell you that at least 15 times per game this season. Kid can kick a ball though.
Key Losses: LB Mike McCray and DL Maurice Hurst
McCray and Hurst were both key parts of this defense last year. McCray had 84 tackles, including 12 for loss and 5 sacks, while Hurst had 60 tackles, 8.5 TFL, and 5 sacks. Replacing these guys will be tough, but Aubrey Solomon and Devin Gil should be able to plug the gaps.
Five Year Recruiting Rank (Bill Connelly): 22
Alcohol Prediction for Fans by Season’s End: Egg Nog
We all know about Jim Harbaugh’s love for milk and this may be the closest thing. Despite the difficult schedule, the Wolverines should be able to enjoy their egg nog from home while awaiting their January bowl game.
The Tyrell Smoochie-Wallace All Name Team: Camaron Cheeseman
While I would rather him have went to Wisconsin, a cheese-named OL from the midwest is always a hit.
Outlook
This is likely the most talented team that Michigan has had under Jim Harbaugh in his 4th year there. It seems as if the fan base and the entire country are becoming tired of some of his antics so he must win and win soon, or things could get bad. If this was any other year, they may have a shot at the playoffs, but I don’t see any way they get through their schedule with only one or two losses. Playing at Notre Dame, Northwestern, Michigan State, and Ohio State will all be tough, in addition to getting Wisconsin and Penn State at home. If Michigan can somehow manage this schedule, expect to see them either in a New Years Six bowl or the College Football Playoff. That is how talented this team could be, it’s just a matter of having some things go their way.