College football is back!
It has been over seven months since the Michigan football team lost, 33-28, in the Outback Bowl. Despite an 8-5 (6-2) record, head coach Brady Hoke has deemed last season a “failure” in many interviews this off-season.
The main goal for Michigan football has always been to win Big Ten championships. They have not accomplished that goal since 2004.
Is this the year the drought ends for the Wolverines? With the talent they will put on the field every Saturday, it very well could be.
Offense
Projected starters:
Offensive line: Lewan (LT), Glasgow (LG), Miller (C), Kalis (RG), Schofield (RT)
Tight end: Funchess
Running back: Toussaint
Wide receivers: Gallon, Dileo, Chesson/Jackson
Quarterback: Gardner
Analysis
Devin Gardner was the top rated dual-threat quarterback in the 2010 recruiting class. After a nerve injury to Denard Robinson’s throwing arm last season, Gardner was finally able to take over the starting quarterback role for the Wolverines – and he flourished.
In five starts at the end of last season, including the 2013 Outback Bowl, Gardner threw for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed for 11 touchdowns. Gardner’s outstanding finish to last season is the reason he is considered by many to be a Heisman Trophy candidate in the 2013 season.
The Wolverines 2013 offense got a huge boost on Jan. 9 when offensive tackle Taylor Lewan announced he would be returning for his senior season. Lewan was one of the highest rated offensive tackles in 2012 and would have likely been a first round pick in the NFL draft.
Lewan’s return, along with third-year starter Michael Schofield at right tackle, could give Michigan the best offensive tackle combination in the county.
However, there are still concerns on the interior of the offensive line. Kyle Kalis (right guard), Graham Glasgow (left guard) and Jack Miller (center) will be in the starting lineup to start the season. None of them have made a start at Michigan and will be asked to perform at a high-level immediately.
The Wolverines will need much better play from the interior of their offensive line this season. Al Borges wants to return to a run-first offense, but that is only possible if the three new starters are able to push opponents off the line of scrimmage.
Jeremy Gallon returns as the best playmaker at wide receiver. Gallon had 49 catches for 829 yards last season, but made his biggest impact when Gardner was under center – 31 catches for 511 yards and three touchdowns.
While Drew Dileo returns as the slot receiver, the Wolverines have a big question mark at the second receiver spot. Amara Darboh was the frontrunner throughout camp to win the job, but injured his foot in the first fall scrimmage and is out for the season.
Jehu Chesson, Joe Reynolds, and Jeremy Jackson are in competition to take over for Darboh, but the trio has combined for only 14 catches for 144 yards at Michigan. This question mark is one that the Wolverines will need to be answered quickly if they want to win a Big Ten title.
To help fill the void of Darboh’s absence, tight end Devin Funchess should see a huge increase in targets this season. Despite having 15 catches last year – five of which were for touchdowns – Funchess did not see the field as much as Michigan hoped, due to run blocking issues. If Funchess can improve that area of his game, he could have a monster 2013 season – especially in the play-action game.
Finally, the running back position will be interesting to watch, especially early in the year for Michigan fans. It is expected that Fitzgerald Toussaint – coming off a broken leg last season – will begin the year as the starter.
However, highly touted freshman Derrick Green could be a weapon, especially in short yardage situations and at the goal line. And, don’t be surprised to see Justice Hayes used as the primary receiving target in the backfield.
Defense
Projected starters:
Defensive line: Heitzman (SDE), Washington (NT), Black (DT), Clark (RDE)
Linebackers: C. Gordon (SLB), Morgan (MLB), Ross (WLB)
Secondary: Countess (CB), T. Gordon (SS), Wilson (FS), Taylor (CB)
Analysis
The defensive line struggled to get any kind of pressure on opposing quarterbacks last season for the Wolverines. That must change in the 2013 season if Michigan wants to have any hope of winning a Big Ten title.
The leaders of the defensive line will be in the middle – Quinton Washington and Jibreel Black, both seniors.
But, the biggest playmaker may be Frank Clark. Clark only started four games last season, but had nine tackles for loss and two sacks in his limited playing time. After dedicating himself to football in the off-season, Clark could be in for a monster year.
While the return of Taylor Lewan was the best news the Wolverines received in the off-season, it was the loss of linebacker Jake Ryan to a torn ACL that was the most devastating. Ryan tore his ACL in March and is hopeful to be back by the end of October. If the timetable is correct, Ryan should be back for the final five games of the season – including important matchups vs. Michigan State, Northwestern, Nebraska and Ohio State. It would be a huge boost to what should be an already strong Michigan defense.
During Ryan’s absence, Cam Gordon will fill the void at strong side linebacker. Desmond Morgan moves from weak side linebacker to the middle this season, which allows James Ross – who was excellent as a true freshman in 2012 – to become the starter there.
The front seven should have incredible depth for the Wolverines in 2013. Along with the starters, there are six other players that could be part of the defensive line rotation and three other linebackers that could see significant time – not including Jake Ryan.
The secondary will receive a boost with the return of cornerback Blake Countess, who tore his ACL in the opening quarter of the 2012 season. Raymon Taylor, who started in place of Countess for the remainder of last season, will start at the opposite cornerback spot.
Thomas Gordon returns at strong safety, but it is still undetermined who will fill the shoes of the departed Jordan Kovacs at free safety. Jarrod Wilson starts the year at the top of the depth chart, but was pushed late in camp by former cornerback and senior captain, Courtney Avery.
Avery is out for the first two weeks of the season after having arthroscopic knee surgery. If Wilson struggles, you can bet that Avery will be the starting free safety when he returns.
The player to watch in this year’s secondary is true freshman Dymonte Thomas. Thomas arrived to campus in January and could see significant time as the nickel cornerback to start the year. Hoke and defensive coordinator Greg Mattison do not like using true freshman in big roles, which should give some insight on the potential that Thomas has.
This is the most depth Mattison has had at Michigan and keeping this defense fresh could make them one of the best in the country.
Garrett’s Guarantees
- Fitzgerald Toussaint will rush for over 1,000 yards
- Devin Gardner will throw for over 3,000 yards and finish in the top five for Heisman voting
- Frank Clark will record 10 sacks
- Dymonte Thomas will be the true freshman that makes the biggest impact
- Shane Morris will not take a snap in 2013
Prediction
For the first time in Brady Hoke’s tenure, depth will be a strength for Michigan. The Wolverines will finish the season 11-1 (7-1), with its lone loss coming at Northwestern. Despite beating Ohio State on Nov. 30, the Wolverines will lose to the Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship game.
