The Wolverines take the field in this 2009 file photo from Wikimedia. Michigan looks to improve this year after a frustrating 2013 campaign. Photos/Wikimedia Commons
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he 2013 season was a season to forget for the Michigan Wolverines. Their defense was inconsistent, Devin Gardner turned the ball over too much and to describe the offensive line as “awful” would be too kind.
Luckily for the Wolverines and its fans, the 2014 season begins this week and there is cautious optimism about this year’s team. Here is what to expect this season …
Offense
Projected starters: Devin Gardner (QB), Derrick Green (RB), Joe Kerridge (FB), AJ Williams (TE), Devin Funchess (WR), Jehu Chesson (WR), Mason Cole (LT), Erik Magnuson (LG), Jack Miller (C), Kyle Kalis (RG) and Ben Braden (RT)
Many people believe that the level of success the Wolverines have in 2014 will depend largely on the play of the offense. While that might be too much pressure for one aspect of a football team, it shows just how bad this unit was in 2013 – and why Doug Nussmeier is now the offensive coordinator.
Quarterback Devin Gardner has worked on pre-snap reads and not forcing plays with new Michigan Offensive Coordinator, Doug Nussmeier. The redshirt-senior looks to rebound this year.
Devin Gardner (RS-Sr.) returns for his second full season at quarterback and needs to limit the bonehead plays that cost him and the Wolverines dearly in 2013. It has been reported that Nussmeier has focused a lot on Gardner’s pre-snap reads and not forcing plays when they aren’t there. Gardner has enough talent to be a Heisman Trophy candidate. But, until he is capable of being mentally tough, he’ll be viewed largely as a good talent that never took the next step.
The offensive line and running backs are going to be grouped together in this preview because they both deserve blame for last season’s failures – the line failed to produce running lanes on a consistent basis and the running backs often times failed to run through a hole when it presented itself.
Both must change this season. There are no excuses for a Michigan football team to have the struggles they did in 2013 – especially with the recruiting talent they have brought in under Hoke.
Derrick Green (Soph). and Deveon Smith (Soph.) should receive the bulk of playing time this season and could be a very strong two-headed monster – if the offensive line does its job. Mason Cole (Fr.) is projected to start at left tackle for the Wolverines. If it happens, Cole would be the first true freshman to start at left tackle in the history of Michigan football – not even Jake Long or Taylor Lewan accomplished that feat.
If given time to throw the football, Gardner should have plenty of playmakers to work with at tight end and wide receiver.
Devin Funchess (Jr.) was moved to wide receiver halfway through last season and has the size and speed to put fear in a defensive coordinator. Last year’s starter, Jehu Chesson (RS-Soph.), is in a battle with Amarah Darboh (RS-Soph.) for the other starting receiver position – Darboh missed all of last season with a broken foot.
The Wolverines believe they have depth at the receiver position for the first time in quite awhile, which would greatly assist after losing Jeremy Gallon to graduation. Tight end Jake Butt (Soph.) is currently rehabbing a torn ACL, but is expected to return by the start of the Big Ten season. Until he returns, AJ Williams (Jr.) will start. He’s widely viewed as a blocking tight end, but will be counted on the first few weeks to be a threat in the passing game – especially in the red zone.
Defense
Projected starters: Frank Clark (DE), Ryan Glasgow (DT), Willie Henry (DT), Brennen Beyer (DE), Joe Bolden (WLB), Jake Ryan (MLB), James Ross (SLB), Blake Countess (CB), Raymon Taylor (CB), Delano Hill (SS) and Jarrod Wilson (FS)
If the talent of this year’s defense lives up to expectations, it could be one of the best the Wolverines have had since 1997. The Wolverines return nine starters on the defensive side of the football and the depth is better than it has been in quite some time – especially at linebacker and defensive line.
Up front, the Wolverines are expecting big things from returning starter Frank Clark (Sr.) after tallying 4.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss last season. The Wolverines currently have 11 players at defensive tackle and defensive end that saw playing time last season. If a defensive line can stay fresh, it could prove tough for opposing offenses.
The biggest change on this year’s defense is Jake Ryan (Sr.) moving to middle linebacker. Ryan has been the best player on the Wolverines defense for the past two seasons and putting him in the middle should result in Ryan being around the football much more in 2014. Joe Bolden (Jr.) appears to have uprooted Desmond Morgan (Sr.) as the starter at weakside linebacker, but expect to see Morgan – along with Ben Gedeon (Soph.) and Royce Jenkins-Stone (Jr.) – get plenty of playing time in the linebacker rotation.
The biggest question mark for the Wolverines may be in the secondary. That is despite having three returning starters – Blake Countess (Jr.), Raymon Taylor (Sr.) and Jarrod Wilson (Jr.).
Fans are foaming at the mouth to see Jabrill Peppers start at one of the cornerback positions. Brady Hoke has stated that Peppers will begin the year as the team’s nickel cornerback, but if Countess or Taylor struggle in the new aggressive defensive scheme (which includes more press coverage) don’t be surprised to see Peppers replace one of them in the starting lineup. Delano Hill (Soph.) is expected to start at strong safety, but is coming off a broken jaw. If he is unable to start, expect to see Jeremy Clark (RS-Soph.) fill-in for him.
Special Teams
Projected starters: Matt Wile (K), Will Hagerup (P), Dennis Norfleet (KR) and Jabrill Peppers (PR)
Special teams should be an area of strength for the Wolverines. Matt Wile (Sr.) will be the full-time kicker for the first time in his career. In the previous two seasons, Wile was the designated long field goal kicker for the Wolverines. Will Hagerup (RS-Sr.) returns to his punting duties after last year’s “suspension” (he was actually designated as a redshirt). Hagerup was the Big Ten’s 2012 Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year and should be an instant help to the inconsistencies that plagued the Wolverines at the position in 2013.
Dennis Norfleet (Jr.) and Jabrill Peppers (Sr.) should bring excitement to the return game for the Wolverines. Norfleet is undersized but has incredible speed. Fans are excited to see Peppers on the field and believe he could be the next Charles Woodson.
While that is too much to ask of a true freshman, Peppers was an elite playmaker in high school and it would not surprise anybody to see him have a few highlight returns this season.
Five Bold Predictions
- The Wolverines defense will finish in the Top 10 nationally.
- Devin Funchess will finish the year with 1,000+ receiving yards and 10+ touchdowns.
- Jabrill Peppers will have a punt return for a touchdown and start at cornerback by the beginning of the Big Ten season (September 27 – vs. Minnesota).
- Devin Gardner will finish in the Top 10 of Heisman Trophy voting.
- The Wolverines will beat Ohio State.
2014 Prediction
9-3 (6-2)
The defense should be very strong for the Wolverines and the offense should be better. However, until I see that the offensive line can consistently run the football against good competition and in key situations, they won’t win a Big Ten Championship.
