The Wolverine

2020 Football Preview

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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THE WOLVERINE 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 19 BY AUSTIN FOX M ost of the preseason prognos- ticators projected Michigan to finally win the Big Ten in 2019, but the Wolverines instead fin- ished 9-4 and in third place in the Big Ten East. Publications are expecting much of the same for the Maize and Blue in 2020, with Street & Smith's, Lindy's and Athlon Sports all in unanimous agreement that U-M will once again wind up third in the division. All three also have the Wolverines pegged in the mid-teens in their preseason top-25 rankings, with Street & Smith's placing them at No. 14, Athlon at No. 15 and Lindy's at No. 17. STREET & SMITH'S Street & Smith's doesn't give a specific re- cord prediction for Michigan's 2020 season, but expects the Wolverines to finish third in the Big Ten East behind Ohio State and Penn State, and find itself in the Citrus Bowl for a second consecutive year. "This season will be the biggest test of [head coach Jim] Harbaugh's development of recruits at Michigan, which might not have a ton of experience but [the coach] has consistently signed talent," the outlet noted. "The Wolverines will have perhaps the most interesting quarterback competition to watch in the Big Ten." Street & Smith's stated that both redshirt junior Dylan McCaffrey and redshirt sopho- more Joe Milton are "big presences in the pocket at 6-5," and that each of them bring a different element to the table — McCaffrey with his legs and Milton with his "bigger arm that lends itself to a vertical passing game." The magazine identified an area of con- cern being the offensive line that is replacing 2020 VISION 2020 VISION National Preseason Magazines All Place The Wolverines Third In The Big Ten East Street & Smith's called senior defensive end Kwity Paye (No. 19) Michigan's top NFL prospect and included him on their preseason All-Big Ten team. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Michigan In Preseason Top 25s Outlet Rk. (Big Ten Rank) Street & Smith's 14 (4th) Athlon 15 (4th) Lindy's 17 (4th) PFF.com 11 (3rd) SportingNews.com 15 (3rd) 247Sports.com 17 (4th) USA Today 11 (3rd) CBSSports.com 17 (4th) ESPN FPI 16 (4th)

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