Written By: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

Week Three: Michigan Wolverines

Date & Time: Saturday, November 7, 2020, Time: TBA

Venue: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN

TV: TBA

Wolverines at a Glance

Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh

Entering his 6th year as Michigan’s Head Coach

Overall Record: 47-18

Last Season: 9-4 (6-3) Third Big Ten East

Wolverines Returning Leaders

Passing: Joe Milton (3-7 passing (42.9%), 59 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT)

Rushing: Zach Charbonnet (149 rushes, 726 yards, 4.9 YPC, 11 TDs)

Receiving: Ronnie Bell (48 receptions, 758 yards, 1 TD)

Tackles: DL Aidan Hutchinson (68 tackles, 34 solo, 4.5 SCKs, 2 FFs)

Wolverines Preseason Predictions

Athlon: 3rd in Big Ten East, 15th in Nation

Lindy’s:

Phil Steele: 3rd in Big Ten East

Street & Smith’s: 3rd in Big Ten East, 14th in Nation

Impact Newcomers for the Wolverines

Just one transfer for the Wolverines this season, Edward Warinner. Warinner is the son of offensive line coach Ed Warinner and transferred from in-state rival Michigan State.

Biggest Questions Facing the 2020 Wolverines

1. Does “quarterback whisperer” Jim Harbaugh make an appearance at Michigan?

2. How does one of the best offensive lines in 2019 deal with roster turnover?

3. Can the Wolverines beat Ohio State?

Program Preview

The Harbaugh era at Michigan only grows more confusing each season that passes. The commonalities seem to be this: Michigan has games where it appears College Football Playoff worthy, it beats the weaker teams on its schedule handedly, the calendar flips to November and it gets spanked by Ohio State, and then it falls out of playoff contention to a smaller bowl game that it proceeds to lose. Harbaugh haters insist he’ll never get the Wolverines to the promise land, while Harbaugh supporters remind the haters that things were worse before he stepped foot on campus, despite the 4 straight bowl losses and 0-5 record against Ohio State.

I have no reason to expect anything but this in 2020, simply condensed into a shorter conference-only schedule. Buckle up.

Offensive Preview

The old-school, power run game is in the rear-view mirror, and the modern spread offense is here to stay for the Wolverines. After Dylan McCaffrey opted to transfer from the Wolverines, it was official that Joe Milton had “won” the keys to this offense. Milton is a former Top 200 quarterback prospect recruited by Harbaugh. Harbaugh used to have the title of being a “quarterback whisperer.” With shaky quarterback play the past couple years, it will be interesting to watch if he can return to the days where he turned 3-star Andrew Luck into the best quarterback in the nation at Stanford.

Milton’s success will likely hinge on the play of the Wolverines offensive line. Four of the five members from last year, all of which earned All-Big Ten honors, have moved on to the NFL. Jalen Mayfield will serve as the lone returning starter.

If the newly pieced together line can open lanes in the run game, the Wolverines duo of tailbacks should ease the pressure off of Milton’s passing abilities. Zach Charbonnet and Hassan Haskins both emerged as great options in the backfield last season, combining for over 1300 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Ronnie Bell and Nico Collins will be the primary returning targets for Milton to throw to after the transfer of Tarik Black to Texas. A third receiving option will need to emerge for the passing game to be as lethal as offensive coordinator Josh Gattis hopes it can be.

Defensive Preview

Defensive coordinator Don Brown continues to reload dominant players on the defensive side of the ball for the Wolverines. His task will be a bit tougher this year as just 49% of his defensive production returns, 3rd worst in the Big Ten. All that considered, expect Brown to continue with the blitz-heavy scheme and rely on his secondary to make stops if the pressure can’t get to the quarterback.

One player Brown will love having back from injury is Josh Ross, who missed the final nine games last season. He’ll be alongside Cameron McGrone at the linebacker position, who filled in for Ross after his injury and showed great potential. Michael Barrett will likely fill the empty VIPER position.

The defensive line returns the most production. Kwity Paye, who opted to return for his final season, will join Aidan Hutchinson, the team’s leading returning tackler in 2019. Add these two with Carlo Kemp, who received a sixth year of eligibility, and 2019’s question mark turned strength should be even better in 2020.

Potentially the player with the most talent on the defensive side of the ball can be found in the secondary: safety Daxton Hill. Former top-20 recruit became the first true freshman under Harbaugh to start on defense. With a leap this year, Hill could be phenomenal and build up his resume for a first or second round draft pick in a couple years.

Special Teams Preview

The kicking specialists should remain the same in 2020, despite Jay Harbaugh taking over full-time special teams coaching duties. Jake Moody and Quinn Nordin both served as place kickers, and Harbaugh doesn’t seem to have a favorite between the two. Will Hart returns at punter. The only replacement should be the punt returner after Donovan Peoples-Jones’ departure.

The Huddle

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