The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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12 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2019 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Is where U-M is predicted to finish in the Big Ten East by college football expert Phil Steele, who produces one of the most wide-read preseason magazines in the country. "While I have picked Ohio State higher than Michigan in the magazine for 12 straight years, this is the year it changes," Steele wrote on ESPN.com Aug. 8. "I like the Wolverines' new offense, and Don Brown's defense figures to be in an angry mood after their last two games from 2018 in which they allowed a combined 994 yards and 103 points to Ohio State and Florida. "Michigan gets all three of its rivals (Notre Dame, Michigan State and Ohio State) at home in The Big House — and Harbaugh finally wins the Big Ten in year five in Ann Arbor." "Jim [Harbaugh] has been instrumental in changing lives. I don't mean players making it to the NFL, but kids receiving degrees whose own families bet against them. When I get a phone call from him about an individual, I stop everything I'm doing and do whatever it takes to make sure that youngster knows that people care about him." — Executive associate athletic director Greg Harden on the Aug. 6 edition of Harbaugh's 'Attack Each Day' podcast 5 Was where former Wolverine MAURICE HURST JR. ranked among the NFL's top 25 "prospects" according to ESPN.com, whose list tries to identify under-the-radar young- sters and therefore disqualifies first- and second- round picks. "This is a list of players who have a strong chance to make an impact in the NFL — either this season or beyond — despite their lack of draft stock and the fact that they weren't immediate NFL starters," they wrote. The Oakland Raiders defensive tackle, a fifth-round pick in 2018, came in just under another of the qualifiers — less than 500 career snaps (472). The outlet noted Hurst is a bit of a peculiar situation because he was a dominant All-American, but dropped in the draft due to the discovery of a heart condition. However, after he finished his rookie campaign with four sacks, six hurries and three disruptions, ESPN went on to note: "He's probably the brightest ray of light left in the box" when talking about the Raiders' young prospects. "Hurst fits another one of the classic under- valued draft archetypes: the smaller defensive tackle who creates havoc inside," they continued. "… The patron saint of that category is [two- time NFL Defensive Player of the Year] Aaron Donald, who didn't go in the top 10 despite being the best player in the 2014 NFL Draft. We think the Raiders would be very happy if Hurst followed in the more reasonable footsteps of [seven-time Pro Bowler] Geno Atkins or [Falcons standout] Grady Jarrett." PHOTO COURTESY OAKLAND RAIDERS PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN BY THE NUMBERS 9.0 Is the Wolverines' projected win total based on Football Outsiders' S&P+, an efficiency metric that ranks every team in the country and is tempo and oppo- nent adjusted. U-M checked in No. 9 nationally and second in the Big Ten, behind No. 7 Ohio State (9.8 wins) for the category. The East Division also boasts No. 14 Penn State (8.8) and No. 23 Michigan State (7.4). 25 Of the most iconic moments in col- lege football's 150-year history were listed on CBSSports.com, and Des- mond Howard's 93-yard punt return for a touchdown against Ohio State in 1991 made the cut. The runback was called "the crowning moment for his Heisman-winning season." Unfortunately, Appalachian State's blocked field goal that led to "argu- ably the most impactful and dra- matic upset the sport has seen" in its 34-32 win over the No. 5 Wolverines in 2007 also made the countdown. 1 ST