Written by: Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Week Four: Michigan Wolverines

Date & Time: October 8 – Noon ET

Venue: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN

TV: TBD

Wolverines at a Glance

Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh

Entering his 8th season as Michigan head coach

Record at Michigan: 61-24 (42-17)

Overall Record: 90-45

Last Season: 12-2 (8-1) Won Big Ten, Lost CFP Semi-Final to Georgia

Wolverine Returning Leaders

Passing: Cade McNamara – 210-of-327 (64.2%) 2,576 yards 15 TDs 6 INTs

Rushing: Blake Corum- 143 carries for 952 yards and 11 TDs

Receiving: Cornelius Johnson (39 catches for 620 yards 3 touchdowns)

Tackles: Junior Colson (LB) 61 Tackles, 0.5 TFLs, 2 Pass Breakups

Bearcats Preseason Predictions

Athlon: 2nd in the Big Ten East (10-2, 7-2) and a Rose Bowl projection

Lindy’s: 2nd in the Big Ten East and a Rose Bowl Projection

Pick Six Previews: N/A

Phil Steele: 2nd in the Big Ten East

SP+: 4th

Impact Newcomers for the Wolverines

Will Johnson, DB, Freshman

Derrick Moore, DL, Freshman

Biggest Questions Facing the Wolverines

1. How do they replace Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo on defense?

2. Will it be Cade McNamara or J.J. McCarthy?

3. How do the new coordinators fit in?

Program Preview

The Wolverines found their special sauce last season as they went 12-2 knocking off Ohio State, winning the Big Ten title and making it to the College Football Playoff. Entering last season there were many questions surrounding Jim Harbaugh’s job security and those have been put to rest for now. However, Michigan will again be breaking in new coordinators on both sides of the ball with Jesse Minter (defense), Matt Weiss (offense) and Sherrone Moore (offense) after OC Josh Gattis left for Miami and DC Mike Macdonald heading to the Ravens and the NFL.

Much of the offense is back from 2021, exclusing Hassan Haskins who left for the NFL, so there really should not be much drop off. The defense however, will have to replace playmakers at every level. It is hard to expect the defense to be as great as last season’s but it’s Michigan so they will have the horses to still be very good.

Michigan has tasted the next level, can they beat Ohio State again and get back to the Big Ten title game and even the Playoff?

Offensive Preview

The Michigan offense was centered around a power run game in 2021 that saw the Wolverines’ top two running backs cash in 31 touchdowns. Haskins is gone, but Blake Corum (952 yards 11 TDs) is back. Corum is explosive and can make plays in the run, pass and return games. Sophomore Donovan Edwards (174 yards 3 TDs) will back him up.

The offensive line, the best in the nation in 2021, returns three starters in Ryan Hayes, Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter. Seniors Olusegun Oluwatimi and Trente Jones will fill out the rest of the starting five.

One would think that after winning a Big Ten championship that Cade McNamara would be the no doubt starter. That is not the case. McNamara is battling JJ McCarthy for the starting spot. McCarthy has more natural ability, but does not have the experience that McNamara has. This battle with continue into fall camp and may be even into the season depending on the results.

Whoever the quarterback is will have plenty of weapons to throw to. Not only do the Wolverines return their top five pass catchers from 2021, they get a healthy Ronnie Bell back. Bell will be joined be Cornelius Johnson as the starting wide receivers. Michigan uses two tight ends in their offense and that’ll likely be Luke Schoonmaker and Erick All who combined for over 500 yards receiving last season.

Defensive Preview

Michigan’s defense is what set them apart last season. They were elite. However, elite talent moves on to the NFL and that is what has happened here. Four of Michigan’s top five tacklers are gone, leaving Junior Colson as the team’s returning leading tackler at linebacker.

Colson will be the weak-side backer and be joined by Nikhai Hill-Green and Michael Barrett in the middle of the defense. Colson and Hill-Green combined for 111 tackles last season.

Junior Tyler Upshaw will try and fill the shoes of Aidan Hutchinson, that will not be easy. Redshirt freshman Rayshaun Benny will be clogging the middle of the defensive line along with Mazi Smith and Mike Morris will be on the other defensive end position. This group has a lot of production to replace.

The secondary returns both corners, but will need to find replacements at the safety positions. DJ Turner and Gemon Green are back. Turner was an All-Big Ten corner in 2021, while Green needs to fight off competition for his spot. RJ Moten started five games at strong safety in 2021, but will be counted on for a bigger role this season. Rod Moore was hurt this spring, but should be good to go for the fall. He’ll slide into the free safety role.

Special Teams Preview

Jake Moody and Brad Robbins are back giving Michigan one of the best kicker-punter duos in the country. Blake Corrum is an explosive runner and can be a major factor in the kick return game. A.J. Henning returned 29 punts and had a 9.5 yard average.

Previous First Glance Previews

Week One: Illinois Fighting Illini

Week Two: Idaho Vandals

Week Three: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Week Four: Cincinnati Bearcats

Week Five: Nebraska Cornhuskers