Amidst all the meltdown here over the meltdown at tOSU and players sitting out the bowl game - UM is setting up very nicely for 2019
The WR rotation of DPJ, Black, Collins plus Bell looks like it's top 3-5 nationally
The slot probably falls to Martin and might see Schoenle or a true FR (Jackson/Sainristil) backup
The OL will be in the best shape we've seen under Harbaugh, with SteuberMayfield/Runyon at OT and Bredesen, Ruiz, Onwenu, Filiaga and Spanellis inside.
QB should be great (and deep if Shea returns)
RB is solid with Evans and Turner trying to hold off Charbonnet (who might take it beyond solid)
TE/FB has Gentry, Eubanks, McKeon and Mason which has enormous potential
The DT rotation of Solomon, Dwumfour, Kemp, and (likely) Jeter will be a step up from this year
DE will feature Hutch and Paye with depth a ? A healthy Villain might settle that. No doubt that losing Gary and Wino hurts, but this is a pretty good place to land
LB/V is very deep with Anthony, Ross, Gil, Hudson, Uche, and McGrone, but is likely a half step back from '18 with the loss of Bush
S will return Hawkins and Metellus with Woods likely first in off the bench
CB is the ? with Thomas needing to step up his game and someone emerging if both Hill and Long bolt for the NFL. SIms or a true FR (Perry?) could emerge here JKP should be solid as a NB, tho Sainristil might turn up here if the coaches need speed to match-up
To my eye, it's the strongest overall returning group of the Harbaugh era....and not by a little. The loss of star power at every level of the defense is a concern, but the lack of obvious holes on the OL, emerging stars at WR, and quality depth at QB more than offset that, IMO.
I believe that Michigan will always field a mostly dominating defense under Brown, but the question remains about lapses, particularly when the opponent has the weapons to win one on ones. I think tOSU is the only opponent who can do so, so that game will likely be the season once again. I expect to enter it with zero to one loss. Fortunately, it's at home and tOSU likely takes a major step back post-Haskins (and Meyer). I won't be surprised if we exit it with a win.
The WR rotation of DPJ, Black, Collins plus Bell looks like it's top 3-5 nationally
The slot probably falls to Martin and might see Schoenle or a true FR (Jackson/Sainristil) backup
The OL will be in the best shape we've seen under Harbaugh, with SteuberMayfield/Runyon at OT and Bredesen, Ruiz, Onwenu, Filiaga and Spanellis inside.
QB should be great (and deep if Shea returns)
RB is solid with Evans and Turner trying to hold off Charbonnet (who might take it beyond solid)
TE/FB has Gentry, Eubanks, McKeon and Mason which has enormous potential
The DT rotation of Solomon, Dwumfour, Kemp, and (likely) Jeter will be a step up from this year
DE will feature Hutch and Paye with depth a ? A healthy Villain might settle that. No doubt that losing Gary and Wino hurts, but this is a pretty good place to land
LB/V is very deep with Anthony, Ross, Gil, Hudson, Uche, and McGrone, but is likely a half step back from '18 with the loss of Bush
S will return Hawkins and Metellus with Woods likely first in off the bench
CB is the ? with Thomas needing to step up his game and someone emerging if both Hill and Long bolt for the NFL. SIms or a true FR (Perry?) could emerge here JKP should be solid as a NB, tho Sainristil might turn up here if the coaches need speed to match-up
To my eye, it's the strongest overall returning group of the Harbaugh era....and not by a little. The loss of star power at every level of the defense is a concern, but the lack of obvious holes on the OL, emerging stars at WR, and quality depth at QB more than offset that, IMO.
I believe that Michigan will always field a mostly dominating defense under Brown, but the question remains about lapses, particularly when the opponent has the weapons to win one on ones. I think tOSU is the only opponent who can do so, so that game will likely be the season once again. I expect to enter it with zero to one loss. Fortunately, it's at home and tOSU likely takes a major step back post-Haskins (and Meyer). I won't be surprised if we exit it with a win.
