The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1265378
THE WOLVERINE 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 127 2020 Opponents In 1-130 Rankings Team Athlon Lindy's CBS Sports 130* Avg. Ohio State 3 1 3 2.3 Penn State 5 6 9 6.7 Wisconsin 12 11 11 11.3 Michigan 15 17 17 16.3 Minnesota 20 18 12 16.7 Washington 34 23 27 28.0 Indiana 40 41 35 38.7 Michigan State 50 39 52 47.0 Purdue 49 51 85 61.7 Arkansas State 88 76 73 79.0 Maryland 86 70 110 88.7 Ball State 97 105 97 99.7 Rutgers 107 94 120 107.0 * As of June 24 Opponent Position Groups Ranked Among The Nation's Best Athlon Sports ranks the best position groups nationally every year in its annual preseason magazine. Here's where U-M foes from the 2020 slate checked in: Ohio State No. 2 offensive line, No. 2 quarterbacks, No. 2 wide receivers, No. 3 defensive line, No. 5 defensive backs, No. 6 line- backers Penn State No. 2 linebackers, No. 6 running backs, No. 8 defensive line, No. 8 offensive line Wisconsin No. 7 offensive line, No. 8 defensive backs, No. 9 linebackers Washington No. 4 defensive backs, No. 8 linebackers Minnesota No. 9 offensive line, No. 9 quarterbacks Purdue No. 9 wide receivers Schedule Breakdown 2020 SP+ Returning Previous Opponent 2019 Record Ranking Starters Opponent (2019 record) Washington 8-5 24 12 — Ball State 5-7 84 15 Maine (6-6) Arkansas State 8-5 86 13 Howard (2-10) Wisconsin 10-4 9 16 Appalachian State (13-1) Penn State 11-2 5 14 Northwestern (3-9) Michigan State 7-6 45 10 Iowa (10-3) Minnesota 11-2 20 14 Wisconsin (10-4) Purdue 4-8 46 17 Illinois (6-7) Maryland 3-9 66 12 Rutgers (2-10) Rutgers 2-10 102 17 Bye Indiana 8-5 27 18 Illinois (6-7) Ohio State 13-1 2 11 Illinois (6-7) The Michigan-Ohio State contest will once again be the most an- ticipated and toughest game on the schedule. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL 9. at Washington — The last time Michigan won a non-conference road game on the West Coast was 1989 at UCLA. It'll be a challenge for a U-M team breaking in a new quarterback and four starting offensive linemen to beat the Huskies in Seattle. Washington also has plenty to replace on offense, but returns a stellar defense and gets to play at home. 10. Penn State — Harbaugh is 3-2 against PSU's James Franklin, including wins at home in 2016 and 2018 by a combined score of 101-27. For whatever reason, the home team has a huge edge in this series as of late. Penn State is very talented, however, making this the toughest home tilt of the season. 11. at Minnesota — The Gophers shared the Big Ten West division crown last season. All-Big Ten quarter- back Tanner Morgan is ready to build off an outstanding 2019 campaign, and he has the weapons around him to be even better. A rowdy TCF Bank Stadium will make winning this one a grueling task for Michigan if fans are allowed to attend in droves. 12. at Ohio State — The Buckeyes have won 14 of 15 and eight straight in this rivalry, and Michigan hasn't won in Columbus since 2000. Even more concerning is that the Wolverines haven't been close to beating OSU in the last two tries, losing by a combined 52 points — not to mention the fact that the Buckeyes are winning at an unprecedented level, even for their high standards. Ohio State will be the biggest test for any team that has it on their schedule. Michigan is no different.