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Michigan hired Jim Harbaugh this past offseason and not a moment too soon. The Wolverines are coming off a disappointing 2014 campaign that saw them go 5-7 in Brady Hoke’s last year. Hoke’s exit was largely due to the lackluster offensive performance and especially the failure to develop the otherwise highly touted quarterback Devin Gardner. Now that Harbaugh is at the helm, he and his coaching staff will spearhead a culture change in Ann Arbor that will spark a turnaround in the Michigan football program that will take less time than most may think. But several unanswered questions lay ahead.
The defensive unit for the Wolverines has the potential to be sneaky good this season. Sure, defensive back Blake Countess transferred and linebacker Jake Ryan graduated, but Michigan returns eight defensive starters from last season. Defensive end Willie Henry and linebackers Joe Bolden and Desmond Morgan will anchor the front seven for the Wolverines. That is no trio to be taken lightly. Bolden was the second-leading tackler on the team last season, and Henry has shown his athleticism from the defensive end position several times (his interception returned for a touchdown against Utah last season is a prime example).
In the defensive secondary, this could finally be the season that five-star defensive back Jabrill Peppers makes his presence felt on the field. One could make an argument that Countess transferred because of the emergence of Peppers. Under the tutelage of new secondary coach Greg Jackson—who coached under Harbaugh with the San Francisco 49ers—Peppers and the defensive backfield will generate some turnovers to help out the offense this fall. Seeing that the Wolverines were minus-16 in the turnover margin last season, that is a step in the right direction for the defensive unit as a whole.
Michigan returns nine offensive starters from last season, but the two who didn’t return were pretty big pieces last season — Garder and wide receiver Devin Funchess. The Wolverines have several candidates for both positions. At quarterback, it seems the race is down to junior Shane Morris and senior Iowa transfer Jake Rudock. Rudock will more than likely get the nod due to his experience. At wide receiver, Amara Darboh, Jehu Chesson and Freddy Canteen return, but one of them needs to step up as the go-to receiver in the offense. This is where the transfer of Dennis Norfleet could potentially hurt the Wolverines. The good news is that tight end Jake Butt can provide veteran leadership to the receiving corps, and the addition of passing coordinator Jedd Fisch will ease the growing pains of the young receivers.
The running back position is of no concern. Derrick Green and De’Veon Smith will more than likely get a bulk of the carries. And having all five starters back on the offensive line will definitely help get the ground game going early.
After paying a visit to Utah to open the season, Michigan has a mediocre non-conference schedule. They play host to Oregon State, UNLV and BYU before opening Big Ten play on the road at Maryland. Their toughest conference road game is probably Penn State, but hosting rivals Michigan State and Ohio State at home is a huge plus.
I have Michigan finishing with a 7-5 overall record that features a 4-4 record in the Big Ten, fifth place in the East Division.
Brooks Hooley is a Junior Big Ten Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @brookshooley.
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