Michigan 2019 College Football Preview: Can the Wolverines Win the Big Ten?
Written by Charlie Beuttel
Twitter: @charlie_cds3
The Michigan Wolverines are one of the most storied programs in college football. When Jim Harbaugh was hired five years ago, fans thought it was finally time Michigan would take a giant leap by defeating Ohio State and win the Big Ten. Unfortunately, Coach Harbaugh has failed to accomplish both those goals. Now in 2019, the time has come for Coach Harbaugh to deliver and this may be his best chance yet.
Last season, Michigan was headed towards big things but unfortunately, Ohio State destroyed the Wolverines 62-39 halting any dreams of reaching the College Football Playoff. Once again, the Wolverines finished second in the division behind the Buckeyes and finished with 10 wins for the third time in four years. With Notre Dame, Michigan State and Ohio State all making the trip to Ann Arbor this season and the only tough road trips are at Wisconsin and Penn State, the Wolverines certainly have a favorable schedule. Harbaugh has a roster full of returning stars and talented new faces with the mission to finally get past Ohio State to bring some hardware back to Ann Arbor.
Offense
This offseason, Michigan hired Josh Gattis to be the new offensive coordinator, despite averaging 35 points per game in 2018. Gattis brings with him a new spread offense that will certainly benefit senior quarterback Shea Patterson, who ran a similar system during his playing days at Ole Miss. Patterson leads a talented group of targets at the wide receiver position that includes junior Donovan Peoples-Jones (47 catches, 612 yards, and eight touchdowns), junior Nico Collins (38/632/6), and redshirt sophomore Tarik, who is returning from a foot injury. The Wolverines will have a committee of running backs including Tru Wilson and freshmen Christian Turner and Zach Charbonnet. The offensive line is anchored by left tackle Jon Runyan Jr., who was named first-team All-Big Ten a year ago. The Wolverines have three other returning starters in the trenches including offensive guards Ben Bredeson and Michael Onwenu and center Cesar Ruiz.
Defense
The Wolverines defensive unit lost some key players to the NFL Draft but do return some solid players off a unit that only gave up 19 points a game last season. Upfront, junior defensive end Kwity Paye (five tackles for a loss and two sacks) will be counted on for his big play potential in 2019. Junior Josh Ross and redshirt junior Devin Gil are the players to watch in the linebacker corps after All-American Devin Bush is now playing on Sundays. Cornerback Lavert Hill is returning for his senior season after being named First-team All-Big Ten last year. Senior Josh Metellus and freshman Daxton Hill will also big minutes in the Michigan secondary.
This unit held opposing offenses to 14 points a game until blowout losses against Ohio State and Florida (41-15) to finish the 2018 season. The returning leaders and new faces will to overcome those late-season hiccups and lock down their opponents in 2019 if a Big Ten title is to be had.
Schedule
August 31: Middle Tennessee (Ann Arbor, MI)
September 7: Army (Ann Arbor, MI)
Bye
September 21: at Wisconsin (Madison, WI)
September 28: Rutgers (Ann Arbor, MI)
October 5: Iowa (Ann Arbor, MI)
October 12: at Illinois (Champaign, IL)
October 19: at Penn State (State College, PA)
October 26: Notre Dame (Ann Arbor, MI)
November 2: at Maryland (College Park, MD)
Bye
November 16: Michigan State (Ann Arbor, MI)
November 23: at Indiana (Bloomington, IN)
November 30: Ohio State (Ann Arbor, MI)
Can Coach Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines win the Big Ten for the first time since 2004? Only time will tell.
Photo credit: Michigan Athletics; Michigan QB Shea Patterson