The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 141 1. OL Ben Bredeson The U-M left guard was honored as an All-Big Ten performer for the third straight season, this time as a first-teamer. Bredeson was also recognized as a second-team All-American by Walter Camp and was a third-team pick by the Associated Press. Pro Foot- ball Focus (PFF) named him the best pass-blocking guard in the country, with 451 snaps in protection and no hits or sacks allowed. The 6-5, 315-pounder was one of four starters from the 2019 offensive line to be selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, chosen by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round. 2. DE Aidan Hutchinson The sophomore defensive end enjoyed a breakout season, start- ing all 13 contests and notching 68 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks , six passes broken up, four quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. It was Hutchinson's ability to make an impact in so many differ- ent ways from the end of the line that made him one of the Maize and Blue's top performers. The Plymouth, Mich., native was all over the field, ranking tied for first on the team in forced fumbles, second in passes broken up, third in tackles for loss, and fourth in total stops and sacks. 3. QB Shea Patterson The Shreveport, La., native was steady and consistent in 2018, but became a much more explosive player in 2019 while competing under new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. Patterson and the offense struggled early in the season, but he and the unit improved mightily throughout the season, with the Wolver- ines averaging 35.7 points per game over the last six outings. He completed 241 of 381 passes (63.3 percent) for 3,061 yards with 23 touchdowns and rushed for another five scores. The Ole Miss transfer became the third-ever Wolverine to pass for 3,000 or more yards in a single season, and his five touchdown passes in the victory over Indiana stand as the most in a non-overtime game at Michigan. For his efforts, Patterson was tabbed as the team's MVP. 4. DE Kwity Paye The other half of the self-dubbed "Salt and Pepper" defensive end duo, comprised of Hutchinson and Paye, led the team in tackles for loss (12.5) in 2019. An honorable mention All-Big Ten honoree in 2018, Paye made a significant leap in 2019. He earned second-team honors from the coaches and third-team recognition from the media, while competing on a unit that finished the year 11th in the country for total defense (307.2 yards allowed per game). Paye's speed-rushing style, mixed with his strength and power, allowed him to harass quarterbacks to the tune of 6.5 sacks (sec- ond on team) and three quarterback hurries. He also recorded 50 tackles and one fumble recovery. 5. LB Josh Uche The standout pass rusher still wasn't quite an every-down player, only lining up for 470 snaps, but he made each and every play count while he was on the field. According to PFF, Uche graded out the highest out of any player on Michigan's defense, while notching an elite pass-rushing grade of 91.4. Last year marked the second straight season in which the 6-2, 250-pounder led the Maize and Blue in sacks (8.5). He was also second on the squad in tackles for loss, with 11.5, and finished with 46 total stops. Uche was a second-team All-Big Ten selec- tion by the coaches and was third-team pick by the media, and he earned Michigan's Defensive Player of the Year award. 1. ANOTHER DISAPPOINTING FINAL ACT For a fourth straight year, Michigan ended the season with a loss to Ohio State and in the team's bowl game (this time to Alabama in the Citrus Bowl). The Wolverines haven't defeated the Buckeyes since 2011, and have lost 14 of the last 15 in the rivalry. Any momentum Michigan had going when it won seven of its eight games heading into the showdown against OSU was halted by another season in which the Maize and Blue finished on the wrong note. 2. AN ASCENDING OFFENSE Year one under offensive coordinator Josh Gattis started slow and sloppy, with the Wolverines turning the ball over 13 times in the first six games. But as the season progressed, so did the Wolverines, averaging 35.7 points and 417.0 yards per game over the final six regular-season contests, compared to 30.3 points and 388.0 yards per game during the first half. 3. NO MARGIN FOR ERROR The 35-14 blowout loss at Wisconsin in the Big Ten opener put Michigan behind the eight ball. The Wolverines put themselves in a position where they couldn't drop another Big Ten game if they wanted to enter the Ohio State matchup with a division title on the line. Sure enough, Michigan lost one game between Wisconsin and OSU, falling 28-21 at Penn State to end the squad's title hopes. TOP STORYLINES OF 2019 TOP FIVE PLAYERS