2014-15 Football Previews – (Big 10) – Wolverines
Michigan fans are never going to be satisfied with a 7-6 season. Brady Hoke came in and turned the program around right away, but now Michigan is struggling to keep their success going under Hoke. In his first year, the team went 11-2. In the past two years, they have gone 8-5 and then 7-6.
Big Ten 2014-2015 College Football Preview – Michigan Wolverines (Link)
Head Coach: Brady Hoke
2013 Record: 7-6
Michigan Odds to win the National Championship: +8,000
Season Win Total: 7.5
He isn’t on the hot seat quite yet, but if Hoke doesn’t come through with a better season this year, you better believe there is going to be pressure on him. The fans in Ann Arbor don’t give anyone very long when the team toils in mediocrity. Michigan has a difficult schedule to navigate through this year, but the Wolverines do have a solid nucleus.
Team Strengths:
Michigan’s secondary is stacked. The Wolverines may be the best in the Big Ten in this area. Blake Countess is probably the best cover corner in the Big Ten, and he is an excellent ball hawk. Five of their top eight from this group from last year return, and freshman Jabril Peppers is going to be a star at the free safety position.
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It’s going to be tough to throw on Michigan this year.
The Wolverines are also in great shape at the linebacker position. Michigan will have leader Jake Ryan back and healthy this year. Ryan is my number one rated linebacker in the Big Ten heading into the season. He is the heart and soul of the defense, and when he was out last year it was evident that he was badly missed.
Devin Gardner struggled early last year, but he really came on late in the season. Gardner will have a better offensive line in front of him, as well as quality skill position players. I expect an impressive senior season out of Gardner.
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In addition, Shane Morris is a high quality backup and he gives Michigan some impressive depth at this position.
Team Weaknesses:
Michigan hasn’t had a good running back since Mike Hart left several years ago. The Wolverines are attempting to run a pro style offense, but it’s hard to be highly successful in a pro style offense when you aren’t able to run the ball. It puts too much pressure on the quarterback.
Fitz Toussaint is gone and Derrick Green is the new starter here. I’m not high on the Wolverines running backs in 2014.
The linebackers and secondary are great, but Michigan’s defensive front four aren’t up to their normal standards. Michigan is usually very strong in the trenches, but that isn’t the case this season. Frank Clark hasn’t lived up to the hype surrounding him, and the rest of the line isn’t terribly talented.
The biggest glaring weakness here is Michigan truly doesn’t have a defensive tackle that is a run stopper. Opponents may find running room against this front line.
2014-2015 Michigan Football Prediction: 8-5
Michigan should be a little better than they were a year ago. Ryan staying healthy is key, because he is a beast who can dominate a game. With the great linebackers and secondary, Michigan should be in a lot of games even against top opponents.
I do worry about their ability to win close games since they can’t run the ball very well or stop the run particularly well.
In the end, I expect a slight improvement from the team, but don’t look for a huge season from the Wolverines.
Michigan Football Schedule
- 8/30/14 TBD APP
- 9/6/14 7:30 PM ET @ND
- 9/13/14 TBD M-OH
- 9/20/14 TBD UTAH
- 9/27/14 TBD MINN
- 10/4/14 7:00 PM ET @RUTG
- 10/11/14 7:00 PM ET PSU
- 10/25/14 TBD @MSU
- 11/1/14 TBD IND
- 11/8/14 TBD @NW
- 11/22/14 TBD MD
- 11/29/14 TBD @OSU
