Michigan begins its campaign to win a third-straight Big Ten title and College Football Playoff appearance on Saturday, as the Wolverines kick off the 2023 season against East Carolina at the Big House.
After an offseason that has been marred by and fixated with an ongoing investigation by the NCAA into alleged recruiting violations (and subsequent obfuscation) committed by head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Wolverines are primed to boast what many analysts believe could be the program’s best roster in a quarter-century — a draught which has seen the school go without capturing the national title.
The first of three-straight home games before in-conference play begins, Michigan will welcome the Pirates to Ann Arbor with a group that Harbaugh believes could challenge the record set by Georgia just last season for most players selected from the same school in a single draft. However, Harbaugh won’t be on the field to coach the Wolverines for this, or any of the three aforementioned out of conference home games – due to a suspension imposed by the University of Michigan; seemingly in an effort to extend an olive branch of cooperation to the NCAA.
In his absence, four different assistant coaches will be given the play calling reigns at various junctures. In the case of Saturday afternoon’s game against East Carolina, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter will be first man up to the plate. Michigan players, however, aren’t worried about Harbaugh missing.
“He’s prepared us enough, so those [three] games, we can rally together, like I said. If anything, it’s going to light a fire under us and make us want to win even more,” running back Blake Corum said in July at Big Ten Football Media Days in Indianapolis.
Defensive lineman Kris Jenkins reiterated those thoughts in July.
“This is an unfortunate situation but we have to continue to be the same team we want to be and embody that,” he said. “Even if he’s not going to be with us, he’ll be with us in spirit and we got to play for him like we play for him on any other gameday.”
On the field, all eyes will be on a reloaded Michigan offense led by starting quarterback JJ McCarthy. The 6-foot-3 junior took a pivotal step towards potential stardom last season when he supplanted his predecessor, Cade McNamara, by offering a contrasting and explosive skillset. McCarthy’s mobility and ability to throw deep after rolling out of the pocket proved to be a highly potent combination with the Wolverines’ dominant run game.
And on the ground, Michigan return what many would argue is the best one-two punch in the country. After missing the CFP Semifinal, Big Ten Championship game, and the bulk of the Ohio State matchup after suffering an ankle injury the week prior, Corum is returning for his senior season. He is joined once again by junior Donovan Edwards in a backfield that led the nation (among major conference teams) in rushing yards – and only trailed back-to-back national champs Georgia in rushing touchdowns.
Saturday’s kick off between the Wolverines and Pirates is at noon ET at Michigan Stadium, and will stream exclusively on Peacock.
*Editor Damien Dennis contributed to this article.
