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Michigan Has Some Issues in '16, Also

+17 HS
buckeye phi's picture
April 29, 2016 at 5:30pm
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A lot of college football analysts are expecting Michigan to be pretty good this year. In an almost inverse situation to Ohio State's, they'll be returning most of their starters from 2015. Naturally, using the same kind of reasoning, many of the same people seem to think the Buckeyes may be heading for a down year, due to the number of starters from the '15 team that will be gone this season.

Some are going so far as to predict a victory for the Wolverines when the teams meet in November. This is in spite of the fact The Game will be played in Columbus this year – and that Ohio State has won the last four contests - most recently in a 42-13 blow-out. But if there's one constant in college football, it's change. So recent results and home field advantage are often non-factors - especially, in a rivalry game.

Looking at it from a distance, there may be something to the reasoning behind such a prediction. However, for the true college football junkie, looking under the surface, there may be a little more to it than that. Michigan has some areas of concern, also.

The most obvious position where they have questions is quarterback. By most accounts, none of the UM quarterbacks were able to really establish themselves this Spring. Quarterback is never a good spot to have serious doubts heading in to fall camp.

John O'Korn, the transfer from Houston, was initially considered to be the favorite. But the competition with Wilton Speight, a red-shirt freshman, was inconclusive by most accounts. The rest of UM's quarterbacks were apparently so unimpressive, they're already pretty much out of the running.

Unfortunately for the Wolverines, nobody played particularly well in their Spring Game. As every Buckeye knows, it can be a problem heading in to fall camp still uncertain who the starting quarterback will be. But it has to be much worse when that's because none of them have done anything of particular note for the team on the field.

If Head Coach, Jim Harbaugh, wants to keep his reputation as a quarterback guru intact, it seems he's going to have his work cut out for him this year.

There will only be minor changes on the offensive line. Graham Glasgow is heading to the NFL. He was a solid center for Michigan in'15 and he's projected to be a fourth round selection. A veteran lineman, Mason Cole, has moved from tackle to center.

There will only be one new starter – presumably, sophomore, Grant Newsome, at Cole's vacated tackle spot. However, while the line was very good at pass protection in '15, the production in the running game was rather anemic - ranking 83rd nationally. It's something to watch.

Speaking of the running game, Michigan is still searching for a standout running back. De'Veon Smith emerged from spring practice at number one – with an improving Ty Isaac not too far behind. However, one gets the sense the coaches are really awaiting the arrival of a true freshman, Kareem Walker (a former Ohio State “commit”).

Walker may end up being great at the major college level – and he may not. It's never good to be dependent on an incoming freshman at any position. And that's particularly true of the primary ball carrier. Expect to see Smith starting this fall.

Michigan's fullback will probably be Henry Poggi Jr. Yes, Harbaugh's offense still uses a fullback much of the time. By the way, the definition of the word “fullback” will be made available for the millennials.

Michigan is returning one of the nation's top tight ends with Jake Butt. And they're set with a pair of fine starting wide receivers in Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson. Although, there may be some issues with depth there. It looks like Grant Perry will be in the slot when UM goes three wide.

Defensively, the glaring area of concern is linebacker. Joe Bolden is graduating – but is not expected to be drafted. He'll probably be replaced by Ben Gedeon – a kid Harbaugh likes. If Mike McCray can stay healthy, he could be a good one. But this is an area where the coaches readily admit there could real issues with depth..

In fact, it appears they're trying to convert their uber-hyped safety, Jabrill Peppers, in to a linebacker. Granted, he'll be playing a hybrid kind of position – similar in some respects to Ohio State's “Walkout linebacker”.  But at 5'10”-ish, 208lbs – Peppers could be a little small to play close to the line of scrimmage on a regular in the B1G – even in that kind of role.

Compare Peppers to the Buckeyes' expected starter at walkout, Chris Worley. Worley comes in at 6'2”, 225lbs (at least). He'll just be coming out of an off-season with Ohio State's renowned strength and conditioning staff – so he may even put on a few quality pounds by fall camp.

If one of UM's three linebackers is light but super quick – that would probably be effective verses the pass-heavy offenses they'll see. But if they stay with that when they face Urban Meyer's spread-to-run-power offense, they could be in serious trouble. It would essentially be like playing a base nickel against Ohio State's running game.

On most of Michigan's pre-season projected depth-charts, Peppers is listed at strong side linebacker. So, either Peppers – or one of the defensive backs would have to fulfill the run responsibilities of the strong side linebacker. The middle linebacker and the weak-side linebacker would obviously have their own responsibilities.

There'd be nothing to stop the Buckeyes from just running power right at the little guy playing where a linebacker would normally be. An easy call at the line for a veteran quarterback like JT Barrett.  Again – due to the lack of quality depth at linebacker, the Wolverines may not have that much of a choice.

Part of the reason Michigan's coaches will be able to move Peppers to linebacker is that they will still be fairly deep and experienced in the secondary without him. For instance, both corners are returning. Channing Stribling is solid – and Jourdan Lewis may be the best player at his position on the entire team. Jeremy Clark is apparently neck-and-neck with Stribling and will, at least, provide reliable depth.

Dymonte Thomas and Delano Hill were both back-up safeties last year, but they'll also both be seniors this season. Even in a new system, that should help ease the transition. The defensive backfield should be an area of strength for the Wolverines in '16

At defensive end, UM may be replacing one of their few players who'll actually be drafted this weekend with a true freshman. Believe it or not, it could be an upgrade. Willie Henry is expected to be a third round pick. His replacement could be the #1-rated recruit in '16, Rashan Gary. Even if it takes a while for Gary to adjust and fully grow in to the role, it might be an improvement. Gary may end up at tackle, which is his more natural position. However, they're pretty deep there this year. In any case, that will get ironed out in fall camp.

Taco Charlton will be returning at defensive end and three experienced tackles will be back - Ryan Glasgow, Bryan Mone and Maurice Hurst Jr.  Chris Wormely can play end or tackle. There's some promising up-and-coming depth, too. The Wolverines should be quite solid on the d-line in '16.

That's important because Michigan's new defensive coordinator, Don Brown, needs excellent line play for his scheme to work properly. Like Ohio State's system, the defensive front four will typically be in an "over" alignment - and they'll have to be disruptive – while still maintaining some gap responsibility. Brown was able to get those kinds of results with average personnel while coaching Boston College's defense last year.

It's hard to imagine his scheme won't be at least as effective with UM's players. They'll try to create some confusion with those experienced defensive backs and athletic linebackers while the defensive line applies the pressure. A great scheme against many teams - but not so much against a great power running offense.  This could be a great match-up for the Buckeyes again this season.

UM's long snapper is returning. But they will be breaking in a new place-kicker and a new punter.

Of course, nearly everything covered above will be subject to change during fall camp. Just as it will be with most college teams.  The point is, Buckeyes didn't lose all those starters in a vacuum. The other potential contenders in the B1G East – like Michigan – have some issues, also -

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