The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1265378
124 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW East Division 1. Ohio State (11-1 overall, 8-1 Big Ten): The Buckeyes are loaded on offense with junior quarterback Justin Fields and junior wide receiver Chris Olave running the show, and received a huge boost when former Oklahoma running back Trey Sermon transferred to Columbus for his senior year (he compiled 2,076 yards during his three seasons in Norman). The defense will likely take a step back after losing standout defensive end Chase Young, star cornerbacks Damon Arnette and Jeff Okudah, and co-defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to Boston College, but will benefit from a favorable Big Ten schedule that misses Minnesota and Wisconsin from the West division. As of June 24, ESPN expert Todd McShay deemed three of the top 23 NFL Draft prospects in the nation play for Ohio State — No. 4 Fields, No. 9 cornerback Shaun Wade and No. 23 Olave. T2. Michigan (10-2, 7-2): The Wolverines possess an outstanding backfield, receiv- ing unit and what is expected to be yet another lights-out defense, but face two huge question marks along the offensive line and under center, the latter of which will feature a first-year starter with extremely limited experience. If the Maize and Blue can come out of consecutive home meetings against Wis- consin (Sept. 26) and Penn State (Oct. 3) unscathed, they should head into the Nov. 28 showdown at Ohio State not only still in contention for the Big Ten title, but also for a spot in the College Football Playoff. T2. Penn State (10-2, 7-2): The Nittany Lions will boast one of the Big Ten's best running back stables in 2020 with redshirt junior Journey Brown and a pair of sopho- mores in Noah Cain and Devyn Ford leading the way, all of whom averaged at least 5.3 yards per carry last year. Redshirt junior quarterback Sean Clifford returns to command the offense in Happy Valley, but will have to navigate a daunting schedule that features trips to Virginia Tech and Michigan, and home dates against Iowa and Ohio State before the calendar even turns to November. 4. Indiana (7-5, 4-5): The Hoosiers' 8-5 record in 2019 marked the program's most wins since going 8-4 in 1993. Reaching eight victories should be the program's goal again in 2020 with star offensive players returning in redshirt sophomore quarterback Michael Penix, junior running back Stevie Scott and senior wideout Whop Philyor. Head coach Tom Allen has finally built up IU's defense to match its offense (the former ranked 36th nationally last season and the latter 41st), and a Big Ten slate that misses Iowa and Minnesota from the West division has given Indiana fans their highest hopes heading into a season in recent memory. 5. Michigan State (5-7, 3-6): Year one of the Mel Tucker era in East Lansing isn't expected to be pretty, with no proven quarterback, a defense that lost its top player at all three levels (DE Kenny Willekes, LB Joe Bachie and CB Josiah Scott), and a brutal schedule that features home contests against Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Ohio State and Minnesota. Two bright spots, however, are that redshirt sophomore running back Elijah Col- lins returns after rushing for 988 yards last year, and redshirt sophomore wideout Jayden Reed will be allowed to play following his transfer from Western Michigan (797 receiving yards in 2018). 6. Maryland (4-8, 2-7): The Terrapins have been gutted at running back with Anthony McFarland and Javon Leake — who combined for 1,350 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns in 2019 — both having left early for the NFL. Head coach Mike Locksley now turns to senior Tayon Fleet-Davis and a pair of four-star freshmen in Peny Boone and Isaiah Jacobs to carry the load. The passing attack (114th nationally in 2019) and defense (109th) were utter disasters last year, but one positive for the former is that fifth-year senior quarter- back Josh Jackson will have two weapons at his disposal that he didn't have in 2019: redshirt sophomore receiver Jeshaun Jones (missed last year with an ACL injury) and five-star freshman receiver Rakim Jarrett. 7. Rutgers (3-9, 1-8): Head coach Greg Schiano will attempt to recapture the magic that he built during his first stint in Piscataway from 2001-11, when the club won eight or more games in five of his final six years. The Scarlet Knights' defense will once again be a work in progress after finishing 98th nationally last year, but Schiano will at least have a talented runner to lead the offense in junior Isaih Pacheco (729 yards in 2019), while a battle ensues at quarterback. Predicted Order Of Finish Returning All-Big Ten Players Offense Pos. Returning Honorees QB Jr. Justin Fields, Ohio State — 1st, coaches and media R-Jr. Tanner Morgan, Minnesota — 2nd, coaches and media RB Jr. Stevie Scott, Indiana — 2nd, coaches and media R-So. Master Teague, Ohio State — 3rd, coaches and media So. Zach Charbonnet, Michigan — 3rd, media R-So. Elijah Collins, Michigan State — 3rd, media WR Jr. Rashod Bateman, Minnesota — 1st, coaches and media So. David Bell, Purdue — 2nd media; 3rd coaches Sr. Whop Philyor, Indiana — 2nd coaches; 3rd media Jr. Chris Olave, Ohio State — 3rd, coaches and media TE Jr. Pat Freiermuth, Penn State — 2nd, coaches and media 5th-Sr. Luke Farrell, Ohio State — 3rd, coaches R-Jr. Peyton Hendershot, Indiana — 3rd, media OT Sr. Thayer Munford, Ohio State — 2nd, coaches and media 5th-Sr. Cole Van Lanen, Wisconsin — 2nd, media 5th-Sr. Alaric Jackson, Iowa — 3rd, coaches and media Sr. Alex Palczewski, Illinois — 3rd, coaches OG R-Jr. Wyatt Davis, Ohio State — 1st media; 2nd coaches R-Jr. Blaise Andries, Minnesota — 3rd, coaches and media C R-Jr. Josh Myers, Ohio State — 2nd media; 3rd coaches Defense Pos. Returning Honorees DL Sr. Kwity Paye, Michigan — 2nd coaches; 3rd media So. George Karlaftis, Purdue — 2nd, media 5th-Sr. Shaka Toney, Penn State — 2nd, coaches Jr. Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan — 3rd, media 5th-Sr. Carlo Kemp, Michigan — 3rd, coaches LB Jr. Micah Parsons, Penn State — 1st, coaches and media 5th-Sr. Paddy Fisher, Northwestern — 2nd media; 3rd coaches DB R-Jr. Shaun Wade, Ohio State — 3rd, coaches and media Jr. Sydney Brown, Illinois — 3rd, coaches Sr. Tariq Castro-Fields, Penn State — 3rd, media Sr. Ambry Thomas, Michigan — 3rd, coaches Special Teams Pos. Returning Honorees K 5th-Sr. Keith Duncan, Iowa — 1st, coaches and media Sr. Blake Haubeil, Ohio State — 3rd, coaches and media P Sr. Blake Hayes, Illinois — 1st, coaches and media 5th-Sr. Will Hart, Michigan — 2nd media; 3rd coaches 5th-Sr. Adam Korsak, Rutgers — 2nd coaches; 3rd media KR Jr. Aron Cruickshank, Rutgers — 2nd, coaches and media* * Wide receiver/return specialist Aron Cruickshank will have to sit out the 2020 season as a junior after transferring to Rutgers from Wisconsin Best In The Big Ten By Position QB — Justin Fields, Ohio State (No. 1 on The Wolverine's list)* RB — Trey Sermon, Ohio State (No. 11)* WR — Rashod Bateman, Minnesota (No. 2)* TE — Pat Freiermuth, Penn State (No. 20)* OL — Wyatt Davis, Ohio State (No. 17)* DL — George Karlaftis, Purdue (No. 14)* LB — Micah Parsons, Penn State (No. 3)* CB — Shaun Wade, Ohio State (No. 4)* S — Brad Hawkins, Michigan (Not ranked) * On Michigan's regular-season schedule in 2020