Last year at this time, Joe Milton was Cam Newton 2.0 and Michigan’s offense allegedly about to soar.
There is normally some scenario presented why this is going be THE YEAR for the Wolverines.
Michigan’s modus operandi is to be highly-touted in the preseason and fade to disappointment by the end.
But there is a different twist as the 2021 preseason magazines begin to be released.
Expectations for the Wolverines are atypically low. Athlon’s has Michigan finishing 7-5 overall, 5-4 in the Big Ten and playing another program of similar ilk, Tennessee, in the Music City Bowl. The Wolverines are picked 32nd nationally, in between Boise State and West Virginia.
Wouldn’t such a season be labeled a disaster?
Yes, and that’s the issue. It would be Jim Harbaugh’s worst full season at Michigan. Is it a fair evaluation?
Absolutely based on Michigan’s COVID-shortened 2020 campaign and tested talent. This publication is forecasting Ohio State (obviously), Penn State and Indiana ahead of Michigan in the Big Ten East.
Michigan State and Rutgers are, rightfully, being picked to share the basement. The Spartans beat Michigan last season, though, and it took Michigan three overtimes to outlast Rutgers.
Michigan football has not been this far under the radar in more than five decades. Harbaugh, whose contract extension essentially cut his salary in half, has hardly spoken publicly. Michigan didn’t have a spring game.
It’s a far cry from Harbaugh’s initial splash, which included being outspoken on a variety of topics, signing day with the stars, sleepovers with recruits, shirtless touch football games and trips overseas.
It’s gotten to the point Michigan basketball has overshadowed football, which wasn’t the case even during The Fab Five era.
It’s anybody’s guess how Michigan’s typically problematic quarterback situation will shake out. Great QBs are expected to display it right away, so there is unusual pressure on 5-star true freshmen J.J. McCarthy. The fact he was the starter at Florida’s IMG Academy should alone make him special, but then again so was Shea Patterson. Cade McNamara, who replaced Milton as starter last season, wasn’t bad, but that’s not good enough in this era when high-end QB is the norm.
Grad transfer Alan Bowman got off to a roaring start at Texas Tech. He’s posted huge numbers in specific games, including 605 yards vs. Houston in ‘18. As recently as last November he passed for 384 yards in a 50-44 loss at 21st-ranked Oklahoma State. But a one-year answer at QB isn’t exactly ideal at this point.
Harbaugh did the obvious by dismissing defensive coordinator Don Brown, but it’s anyone’s guess whether former Ravens’ linebacker and secondary coach Mike Macdonald is any better.
Michigan’s secondary was ridiculously porous last season. It should be better given the talent of safeties Daxton Hill and Brad Hawkins compared to the results. The cornerback play must improve, too.
Specific question marks abound for Michigan, but there is a bottom line that’s unacceptable. Seven-and-five, 5-4 in the conference, not even in the Top 25?
If this perception becomes a reality, Harbaugh and Michigan will have little place to hide at the end of the 2021 season.