Zach Sinykin's Sports blog: Big Ten Football 2015: Previewing the Michigan Wolverines

OFFENSE: Jim Harbaugh's first offense in Ann Arbor will be quite underwhelming, however the former Wolverine quarterback is an incredible motivator and knows quite a bit about exceeding expectations. The quarterback position is quite the mystery for the Michigan faithful, as the under-performing Devin Gardner graduated last year. Coach Harbaugh can go in many different directions, however I project that he sticks with graduate transfer and former Iowa Hawkeyes starter Jake Rudock to start at Utah on September 3rd. Rudock ranked number two in the Big Ten in completion percentage last season and I doubt that Harbaugh would feel comfortable throwing out Shane Morris or true freshman Zach Gentry, who both don't have much experience on the college football level, unlike Rudock. At wide receiver, the Wolverines offense will depend on the hands of juniors Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson. Michigan lost their best receiver when Devin Funchess decided to enter the draft early. Funchess led the team with 62 receptions for 734 yards and four touchdowns. Darboh had a pretty impressive sophomore season, accumulating 473 yards and scoring twice, however the Wolverines may be hurting for any complementary pass catchers for 2015. I project Chesson to claim the other outside position with Dennis Norfleet and Maurice Ways possibly rotating in. Freddy Canteen will primarily play from the slot and will use his speed and elusiveness to gain chunks of yardage over the middle. Junior tight end Jake Butt will likely be a huge part of Harbaugh's offense, as he can use his 6-6 frame to make plays on high balls and his underrated speed to gain yards after the catch. Senior A.J. Williams will likely be a viable tight end to utilize in blocking situations.

The running back position is one of the hardest to forecast for the Wolverines, as they lost many of their backs to injury during last season, yet they gained a huge transfer in former 5-star recruit and USC Trojan Ty Isaac. I see Isaac as their most gifted runner and probably the most talented half back on the roster, so for those reasons I will claim him as the starting back come of the season opener, Of course its hard to then predict who takes carries behind Isaac. Junior De'veon Smith led the Wolverines in rushing last season with 519 yards on 108 attempts and scored six times. The other two candidates are juniors Derrick Green and Drake Johnson. Both backs got injured last season with last year's starter Green going down in Week 6 after a relatively productive first five weeks. I think he has the upper hand for the backup job, however Johnson is a hometown kid who looked very explosive before he tore his ACL in the season finale. Michigan will return quite a bit of talent and experience along the offensive line. Sophomore Mason Cole started all 12 games at left tackle and impressed as a true freshman, Ben Braden will be moved to left guard and pair with junior Kyle Kalis and Graham Glasgow to form an intimidating interior for Coach Harbaugh. Starting kicker Matt Wile graduated, leaving true freshman Andrew David as the best option at kicker. He was one of the best prep kicking prospects in the nation, so do not worry about his title as true freshman, Wolverine fans.

DEFENSE: The defensive line took a big hit with the loss of the team's best edge rusher in Frank Clark. It will be difficult to replace his presence on the line, however with the combinations of 3-4 and 4-3 schemes that new defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin plans to bring into the fold, it will make it easier to overcome the losses on the edge. The two defensive end positions will likely be held by senior Mario Ojemudia and talented junior Chris Wormley, who will provide heat on opposing passers during the upcoming season. The tackle positions will be occupied by Willie Henry and monstrous 6-4, 325 nose tackle Bryan Mone. The linebacking corps for the Wolverines will likely boast the most experienced and talented group of players on the field for the blue and maize, led by seniors James Ross III, Joe Bolden and Desmond Morgan. Bolden was an absolute monster for the defense a year ago, racking up 102 tackles and will act as Harbaugh's primary run stopper on defense. Ross III and Morgan will provide solid all around play on the outside, with senior Royce Jenkins-Stone likely coming in on the 3-4 sets as a hybrid pass rusher.

Michigan's secondary looks to be better this season with the return of touted freshman Jabrill Peppers back in the fold. Though recruited as a corner, he was moved to strong safety and will form a deadly tandem on the back end with returning starter and senior Jarrod Wilson at free safety. In Durkin's new defensive setup, the cornerbacks will mostly be asked to defend in press coverage, so Stanford transfer and senior corner Wayne Lyons will likely pair up with talented junior Jourdan Lewis as boundary corners. Returning starter and smaller defensive back Blake Countess will likely take more of a slot corner role, and will also contribute in nickel and dime situations. Michigan lost former Big Ten Punter of the Year Will Hagerup to graduation, which will force them to hand over the punting duties to graduate transfer Blake O'Neill.

OVERVIEW: Michigan will likely step up in a big way this year with the addition of Jim Harbaugh and the new coaching staff, however playing in the oh-so-tough Big Ten East with uber-talented Ohio State and Michigan State will make it hard for Michigan to get over the hump. Expect a seven to eight win season for the Wolverines. With a talented group of linebackers and secondary, along with an experienced offensive line, Michigan can pile up wins, however with the lack of quality quarterback play and offensive weapons, it may be difficult for Michigan to outgun the likes of the Buckeyes, Spartans, and could easily bow out on tough road games against Penn State and Minnesota.

Projected Record: 7-5, 4-4 Big Ten

TE Jake Butt