2023 First Glance Preview: Week Seven Michigan Wolverines
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Written by: Zachary Greene
Week Seven: Michigan Wolverines
Date & Time: Saturday, October 14th. Time TBD
Venue: Michigan Stadium
TV: TBD
Wolverines at a Glance
Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh
Enters his ninth season with the Wolverines
Record at Michigan: 61-24 (43-16 in Big Ten)
Overall Record in College
Last Season: 13-1 (9-0 in Big Ten)
Wolverines Returning Leaders
Passing: J.J McCarthy– 208 for 322 (64.6%) for 2,719 yards with 22 TDs and five INTs
Rushing: Blake Corum– 247 carries for 1,463 yards (5.9 yards per carry) with 18 TDs
Receiving: Cornelius Johnson – 32 catches for 499 yards with 6 TDs
Tackles: Junior Colson– 94 Tackles
Wolverines Preseason Predictions
Athlon: 1st in B1G
Lindy’s: 1st in B1G
Phil Steele: 1st in B1G
SP+: 3rd nationally
Impact Newcomers for the Wolverines
Ernest Hausmann – Linebacker - Nebraska transfer
LaDarius Henderson - OT - Arizona State Transfer
Josiah Stewart - EDGE - Costal Carolina
Program Preview
The Michigan Wolverines enter their ninth season with Jim Harbaugh as the leader of the program. His status to start the season was resolved and he will not serve the possible four-game suspension he was facing. Michigan has been one of the best programs in the country after an under preforming 2020 (COVID) season where many were questioning their head coach. The program welcomes back two of the best offensive players in the country. quarterback JJ McCarthy and running back Blake Corum. Their schedule yet again is relatively easy before heading into Big Ten play. They open with East Carolina before facing UNLV and Bowling Green. To wrap up the season, they will be looking to beat the Ohio State Buckeyes for the third time in arow.
Offensive Preview
The Wolverines offense looks to be one of the best in the country yet again as they return JJ McCarthy under center and running back Blake Corum. When on the field both were virtually unstoppable. They will look to play physical and run a power style offense under new offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore. Up front they return Zak Zinter and Treovor Keegan along with three transfers to round out the starting front.
Corum and fellow running back Donavan Edwards make one of the most explosive and productive back fields in the country. Corum was likely on his way to being a Heisman finalist if he did not get hurt against Illinois. He finished with 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. Edwards nearly had a 1,000-yard season himself finishing with 991 yards, 520 of them after Corum was hurt, and seven scores.
Cornelius Johnson leads the way on the outside along with Roman Wilson, who is the fastest player on the squad. Leading receiver Ronnie Bell is off to the NFL, so Michigan is hoping that Wilson can pick up some of the slack. Sophomore Darrius Clemons fits in well at the third receiver position and the Wolverines also have a group of solid receivers in reserve.
The tight end position will feature a familiar face as Michigan welcomes former Hoosier AJ Barner, who is projected to start in some previews. Colston Loveland is the other tight end to look out for as he had 16 receptions for 235 yards last season.
McCarty will be the starter for the get go this season. He threw for 2,719 yards and 22 touchdowns. However, everyone seems to believe there is another level McCarthy can reach. Another former Hoosier, Jack Tuttle, looks to be the backup after entering the transfer portal mid-year in 2022.
Defensive Preview
Michigan’s defense has been nasty over the last two seasons and that does not look to be any different in 2023. Last season, the defensive unit for the Wolverines ranked sixth in the country. They return a bunch of starters and are a deeper team this year.
They are led by tackles sophomore Mason Graham and senior Kris Jenkins, who is a big time NFL prospect. Jenkins made 54 tackles last season while Graham had 27 and 2.5 sacks. Seniors Braiden McGregor and Jaylen Harrell are the book end defensive ends.
Linebackers Junior Colson and six-year senior Michael Barnett along with top transfer Earnest Hausamann make that group a strength yet again. Colson led the Wolverines in tackles with 101 including four tackles for loss. Barnett had 72 tackles along with 3.5 sacks. Hausamann will come off the bench, along with senior Nikhai Hill-Green
Will Johnson will be the top corner for the Wolverines and future NFL starter, but the second cornerback spot is still for grabs. They lose starting corners Gemon Green and DJ Turner to the NFL. Kody Jones, Ja’Den McBurrows, and Cameron Calhoun are expected to compete for the second cornerback job. The strong safety position is a battle between RJ Moten and Makari Paige while the free safety position is manned by junior Rod Moore who had 71 tackled in 2022.
Special Teams Preview
The Wolverines lost one of the best specialists in the game Jake Moody in the third round of the NFL draft. The kicking job is now up for grabs. Junior Tommy Doman, who punts as well, and freshman Adam Samaha are competing for the job. Michigan also brought in Louisville transfer James Turner. The Wolverines will likely use one of their top wide outs to be the return man as they lost AJ Henning to the transfer portal.