2016 B1G Previews: Michigan Wolverines

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES (East Division)

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Stadium: Michigan Stadium (107,601)

Coach: Jim Harbaugh (2^nd year): 10-3 at Michigan/68-30 overall (college) 6-2 v B1G

2015 Michigan Wolverines (10-3)(6-2)                     2016 Michigan Wolverines

17        at Utah                        24                                S3        Hawaii

35        Oregon State                 7                                S10      Central Florida

28        UNLV                            7                                S17      Colorado

31        Brigham Young             0                                S24      Penn State

28        at Maryland                  0                                O1       Wisconsin

38        Northwestern                0                                O8       at Rutgers

23        Michigan State            27                                O15

29        at Minnesota               26                                O22     Illinois

49        Rutgers                        16                                O29     at Michigan State

48        at Indiana                    41 (2OT)                      N5        Maryland

28        at Penn State               16                                N12      at Iowa

13        Ohio State                   42                                N19      Indiana

41        Florida                           7                                N26      at Ohio State

            (Citrus Bowl)

Coach Jim Harbaugh seemed to light a much-needed fire under the Michigan football program.  A football program that has languished for the last decade seems to have been revived with a 10-3 record and a top five recruiting class.  Harbaugh has a unique presence both on and off the field that is hard to match.  Defensive coordinator DJ Durkin moved on to take the head coaching job at Maryland and Harbaugh replaced him with Don Brown, who helped Boston College rank first in the nation in total defense last year (254.3 yards per game).

Michigan’s biggest question on offense is at the QB position.  Jake Rudock progressed nicely under Harbaugh’s system last season, but has since graduated.  This left the quarterback competition in the spring an interesting one.  Junior Wilton Speight came out of spring ball with a slight edge over seniors John O’Korn and Shane Morris.  Speight engineered a comeback against Minnesota last season, O’Korn sat out after transferring from the University of Houston and Morris played at QB and receiver in Michigan’s spring game.  Senior De’Veon Smith returns at RB after rushing for 753 yards (4.2 yards per carry) and six touchdowns in 2015.  The Wolverines enjoy good depth at this position, as waiting in the wings are Ty Isaac, Drake Johnson, and true freshman Kareem Walker.  All three should also be able to contribute to Michigan’s ground game in 2016.  Seniors Henry Poggi and Khalid Hill will both see time at FB in Michigan’s power formations.  The Michigan passing attack is in good hands as the top wide receivers, Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson are back.  Chesson led the team in receiving yards with 764 and touchdowns with nine, while Darboh led in number of receptions with 58 (727 yards, 5 touchdowns).  Also returning is senior TE Jake Butt, perhaps the most versatile TE Michigan has ever had.  He was third on the team with 51 catches for 654 yards and three scores.  The left side of Michigan’s offensive line returns intact with seniors Erik Magnuson and Kyle Kalis at LT and LG respectively, and junior Mason Cole at center.  The right side of the line appears to be in good shape with senior Ben Braden and sophomore Grant Newsome taking over at RG and RT respectively.  

                                             TE Jake Butt

The Wolverines will continue to rely on one of the stronger defensive units in the conference which features a senior-dominated defensive line with more depth this year.  Starters Chris Wormley, Ryan Glasgow, and Maurice Hurst return (DE, DT, DT) and Lawrence Marshall figures to take over the DE position opposite Wormley.  Wormley led the team in TFLs in 2015 with 14.5 (43 total) while Hurst chipped in 35 tackles and Glasgow 25.  One of the most versatile players in the nation, junior Jabrill Peppers, will move to OLB.  An All-American candidate, Peppers moved to linebacker to help ease the loss of all three starters from last year, but he could still see time at cornerback and safety as well.  Peppers accounted for 45 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss a year ago.  Seniors Ben Gedeon and Mike McCray will take over at the other linebacker positions.  Gedeon garnered 34 tackles and three TFLs as a backup, while McCray didn’t see action in 2015.  The Wolverines return experienced seniors Jourdan Lewis and Jeremy Clark at the corners.  Lewis was fourth on the team in tackles with 52 to go along with his 3.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions.  Clark chipped in 21 tackles and had a team-leading three picks.  Seniors Dymonte Thomas and Delano Hill return at FS and SS respectively.  Hill was fifth in tackles with 46 to go along with his 2.5 tackles for loss, while Thomas contributed 24 tackles.  Opposing offenses should have a tough time throwing deep against this secondary.  

                                                    CB Jabrill Peppers

Senior Kenny Allen will be back as Michigan’s kicker after going 18 for 22 with a long of 47 a year ago.  He will probably also take over the punting chores for the departed Blake O’Neill.

The early part of Michigan’s schedule is very favorable, as Hawaii, Central Florida, and Colorado shouldn’t be much trouble at all.  The Wolverines don’t leave Ann Arbor until October 8 and it’s a trip to Rutgers.  The back half of the schedule has some speed bumps, however, including trips to Michigan State, Iowa, and Ohio State.

PROJECTION: 10-2 (6-2) 2^nd in Eastern Division