What they're saying about Michigan football in 2018

8/27/2018

The national college football media is split on how Jim Harbaugh's fourth year will go.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

What they are saying

“I think they’re going to go to South Bend and win, and I think they’re going to get on a roll. I think they’re going to be able to create an identity. I think people that are down on Jim Harbaugh, by Week 3, they’re going to go back to saying how he’s the greatest coach in the country. The momentum is going to be created there.” — Kirk Herbstreit, ESPN

“With this defense, improved offense, and with the pressure on, just go 12-1 — at least — and take away a Big Ten Championship. Do that, and the Harbaugh era will finally come close to fulfilling its destiny.” — Pete Fiutak, College Football News

“Michigan will win 10 games and go to a New Year’s Day Six Bowl. The game at Ohio State will decide the Big Ten East champion.” — Bill Bender, Sporting News

“So much depends on [quarterback Shea] Patterson and a system that remains somewhere between uncertain and stodgy. The Wolverines proved in 2015 and 2016 that they could play elite-level ball without elite-level quarterbacking, but a strong season from Patterson would give them a margin for error that they haven’t yet enjoyed under Harbaugh.” — Bill Connelly, SB Nation

Facts and figures

28.9: Michigan held opponents at or behind the line of scrimmage on 28.9 percent of rushes in 2017.

2,226: Amount of passing yards Michigan had last season. Shea Patterson had 2,259 yards in seven games at Ole Miss.

9: Amount of touchdowns Michigan had last season. Patterson had 17 touchdowns.

150.1: Passing yards per game Michigan’s defense allowed last season, best in the nation.

1-5: Jim Harbaugh’s combined record against Ohio State and Michigan State.

0: Number of appearances for Michigan in the Big Ten Championship Game, which started in 2011.

Projected starters

Offense

QB: 2 Shea Patterson

RB: 22 Karan Higdon

WR: 7 Tarik Black

WR: 9 Donovan Peoples-Jones

WR: 88 Grant Perry

TE: 83 Zach Gentry

LT: 75 Jon Runyan, Jr.

LG: 74 Ben Bredeson

C: 51 Cesar Ruiz

RG: 50 Michael Onwenu

RT: 76 Juwann Bushell-Beatty

Defense

DE: 3 Rashan Gary

DT: 5 Aubrey Solomon

DT: 50 Michael Dwumfour

DE: 15 Chase Winovich

WLB: 36 Devin Gil

MLB: 10 Devin Bush, Jr.

SLB: 7 Khaleke Hudson

CB: 24 Lavert Hill

CB: 22 David Long

FS: 23 Tyree Kinnel

FS: 14 Josh Metellus

Special teams

P: 3 Brad Robbins

K: 3 Quinn Nordin