The Wolverine

2020 Football Preview

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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1. Ball State — The Cardinals will try to catch Michigan off guard after the Wolverines travel back from the opener in Seattle. And though Ball State has a veteran offense, they don't have enough talent overall to overcome the Maize and Blue. 2. Arkansas State — The Red Wolves made and won a bowl game in 2019. What should be a solid Arkansas State offense will be neutralized by Don Brown's de- fense, while a Red Wolves defense that was one of the worst in college football won't hold up against Josh Gattis' group. Expect a blowout win for Michigan. 3. at Rutgers — The Scarlet Knights tried to "stripe out" High Point Solutions Stadium back in 2016, but too many Michigan alums and fans in the NYC area showed up to make it a tough road environment. The Wolverines have cruised to lopsided victories in both contests in Piscataway during Jim Harbaugh's tenure (78-0 in 2016 and 42-7 in 2018), and it should be no different as Greg Schiano attempts to rebuild Rutgers (again). 4. Maryland — Second-year head coach Mike Locksley still has plenty of work to do when it comes to rebuild- ing the Terps' program. Josh Jackson should finally be healthy at quarterback, but losing the two running backs — Javon Leake and Anthony McFarland Jr. — that the club relied so heavily on last season will make it a tall task to come into Ann Arbor and steal a win. 5. Purdue — The Boilermakers are no chumps, with a dangerous receiving corps made up of the last two Big Ten Wide Receivers of the Year in David Bell and Rondale Moore. Beating a team that will very likely make a bowl game won't be a cake walk, but a superior Wolverines club should hold serve at home. 6. at Michigan State — The Spartans don't have very much talent returning, and they're rebuilding under new head coach Mel Tucker after Mark Dantonio's unceremo- nious exit. Still, this is MSU's biggest game of the season, meaning they'll play Michigan tough. This one could be closer than what the talent gap indicates. 7. Indiana — It's normally a dogfight between Michi- gan and Indiana, with last season's 39-14 U-M win being the outlier. The Hoosiers won't be an easy senior night win for the Wolverines, especially considering the talent and experience they return at the offensive skill positions and on defense. 8. Wisconsin — Last year's 35-14 Wisconsin blowout win turned out to be a debacle for Michigan in Madison. Luckily for the Wolverines, this one is at the friendly confines of The Big House, where they've taken care of business against the Badgers each time they've played host under Harbaugh. Michigan will have the slight edge in what should be a tight one. Ranking Each Game On Michigan's Schedule From Least To Most Difficult OppOnent Overview A Quick Rundown Of The Wolverines' Upcoming Foes BY CLAYTON SAYFIE 126 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW U-M OPPONENTS ON PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAMS TE Pat Freiermuth, Penn State — Athlon (1st team), Lindy's (1st team), Street & Smith's (1st team) LB Micah Parsons, Penn State — Athlon (1st team), Lindy's (1st team), Street & Smith's (1st team) CB Shaun Wade, Ohio State — Athlon (2nd team), Lindy's (1st team), Street & Smith's (1st team) OL Wyatt Davis, Ohio State — Athlon (1st team), Street & Smith's (1st team) QB Justin Fields, Ohio State — Athlon (2nd team), Lindy's (1st team), Street & Smith's (2nd team) DL Levi Onwuzurike, Washington — Athlon (1st team), Lindy's (2nd team) WR Rondale Moore, Purdue — Athlon (1st team) WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota — Athlon (2nd team), Lindy's (2nd team), Street & Smith's (2nd team) CB Elijah Molden, Washington — Athlon (2nd team), Lindy's (2nd team) OL Thayer Munford, Ohio State — Lindy's (2nd team) OL Josh Myers, Ohio State — Lindy's (2nd team) LB Joe Tryon, Washington — Street & Smith's (2nd team) OL Cole Van Lanen, Wisconsin — Athlon (2nd team) PHOTO BY JOE NICHOLSON/COURTESY WASHINGTON ATHLETICS

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