The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2018 THE WOLVERINE 13 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS 1 Power Five edge rushing duo that had at least 50 pressures each last year — Michigan's Rashan Gary (50) and Chase Winovich (56) — according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). In a video released in early August, Steve Palazzolo called the Wolverines "the best defense in all of college football, perhaps … despite losing our favorite defensive prospect last year in Maurice Hurst. … Michigan's still loaded at every level of the [defense]." PFF did not reveal last year's exact grade for Winovich, but did note that it qualified him as a "future elite prospect" with a 90-plus rating. "There have only been nine guys in our four-year history of college ratings who have higher single-season grades than Winovich," PFF's Mike Renner said before he added that he thinks U-M will have the nation's top defense in 2018. 2 U-M commits were included on USA Today's Preseason All-USA squad — running back Eric Gray and defensive end Christopher Hinton. Hinton's younger brother, class of 2020 offensive tackle Myles Hinton, was among the Michigan targets included on the list. 3rd Was where Michigan checked in on SB Nation expert Bill Connelly's Big Ten power rankings. The Wolverines were listed in "Tier 1," along with No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Wisconsin, No. 4 Penn State and No. 5 Michigan State. The Wolverines will play all four this year. 4 U-M players were included in ESPN. com's ranking of the top 50 players in college football, released Aug. 6 — No. 8 Rashan Gary, No. 22 DEVIN BUSH JR., No. 25 Shea Patterson and No. 46 Chase Winovich. The Wolverines ranked third for the most on the list, checking in be- hind Clemson and Alabama, which both had five. 6 New members will join Michi- gan's Hall of Honor, which was announced Aug. 1 — Betsey Armstrong (water polo), Tom Dolan (men's swimming and div- ing), Dave Gallagher (football), Stefan Humphries (football), Jennie Ritter (softball) and Sam Stoller (men's track and field). Date and location are to be de- termined for when the six indi- viduals will be honored on campus. 14 Was where the Wolverines checked in on the Amway Coaches Poll, which ranked fourth in the Big Ten, behind No. 3 Ohio State, No. 7 Wisconsin, No. 9 Penn State and No. 12 Michigan State. Season-opening opponent Notre Dame was No. 11. There have been two other instances under head coach Jim Harbaugh that U-M opened the season among the top 15 in the poll, and the results have been mixed: Year Preseason Finished (Record) 2017 No. 9 Unranked (8-5) 2016 No. 8 No. 10 (10-3) 14-13 Is U-M's record when playing at the host site of ESPN's popular pregame show "College GameDay," which will be in South Bend for Michigan-Notre Dame Sept. 1. The Wolverines have the sixth most appear- ances ever on the show, one behind No. 5 Notre Dame. By The NUMBERS PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN