The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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36 THE WOLVERINE NOVEMBER 2020 1. Rutgers (Nov. 21): The Wolverines have actually fared better against the Scarlet Knights on the road than at home under head coach Jim Harbaugh, including a 78-0 win at High Point Solutions Stadium in 2016. Rutgers is still undergoing a seemingly never-ending rebuild, with new head man Greg Schiano not having much talent to work with in his second stint in Piscat- away. U-M should have the luxury of resting its starters late one week before taking on Penn State. 2. Maryland (Dec. 5): The Terra- pins, who lost nine out of their final 10 to close out 2019, will likely not have much to play for come this Dec. 5 matchup at The Big House. The Terrapins return Ann Arbor na- tive and fifth-year senior quarter- back Josh Jackson, but lose its top two rushers to the NFL in Javon Leake and Anthony McFarland Jr. On the flip side, U-M's offense should be a well-oiled machine late in the season, going up against a Maryland defense that gave up a staggering 449.2 yards per game last year, which was last in the Big Ten and 109th nationally. The Wol- verines should win handedly and head into the final regular-season tilt with momentum. 3. Michigan State (Oct. 31): Af- ter former Spartan head coach Mark Dantonio's unceremonious exit in February, MSU lacks sig- nificant talent for newcomer Mel Tucker to work with. The Green and White typically bring every- thing they've got against U-M, but they'll be seriously undermanned this time around, with question marks at quarterback, among other positions. There won't be fans in the Michigan Stadium stands like last season, but this one could have a similar result to the Maize and Blue's 44-10 thrashing of the Spartans. 4. Indiana (Nov. 7): The Hoosiers haven't taken down U-M since 1987, but they could pose matchup problems for the Wolverines, with a highly touted quarterback in redshirt sopho- more Michael Penix Jr. and a star receiver in senior Whop Phi- lyor going up against a Wolverines' secondary that may be still figuring things out in week three. IU also returns all four starters on the defensive line, while depth at linebacker and in the secondary remain. Though U-M will be favored to win, expect this to be a potential "trap game," and the Hoosiers to get up for it and provide a challenge. 5. Wisconsin (Nov. 14): The Badgers are tasked with replac- ing legendary rusher Jonathan Taylor, but they have plenty returning, including nine starters from a defense that gave up just 16.9 points per contest last season. Senior quarterback Jack Coan is out indefinitely after under- going an early October surgery on his right foot, but redshirt freshman Graham Mertz, a former four-star and top-50 recruit, might be an upgrade. Luckily for the Wolverines, they get to play host to the Badgers at The Big House, with U-M coming away victorious in both meetings between the schools at the venue under Harbaugh (2016 and 2018). 6. Minnesota (Oct. 24): Wis- consin may be a better team than Minnesota, but the Gophers get to host U-M in Minneapolis, where no current Wolverine player has taken the field. This game is the season- opener, making it tricky for Michi- gan, too, with the Maize and Blue set to break in a brand new starting quarterback and a revamped of- fensive line. The Wolverines will have to put points on the board, with Min- nesota bringing back All-Big Ten redshirt junior quarterback Tanner Morgan and the reigning Big Ten Receiver of the Year in stud junior Rashod Bateman. No matter what happens, the college football world will learn a lot about U-M from this one. 7. Penn State (Nov. 28): Consen- sus All-American linebacker Micah Parsons opted out of the season, leaving PSU less talented than originally thought. However, there's plenty of reason for optimism in State College heading into 2020, with returning stars on the offensive side of the ball and plenty of meat up front on defense. U-M has outscored PSU 101-27 in Harbaugh's two games against the Nittany Lions in Ann Arbor. The home team has the edge in this series as of late, and only time will tell if that trend continues, even without fans in attendance. 8. Ohio State (Dec. 12): A national title contender (again), OSU has won eight straight and 14 of the last 15 in this rivalry, while the Wolverines haven't won at the Horseshoe since 2000. U-M must bring its 'A' game to pull off the upset in Columbus. The Buckeyes return junior quarterback Justin Fields, who is one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy after throwing for 3,273 yards and 41 touchdowns in the 2019 campaign. A prolific offense and a defense that has to reload, but has the talent to do so, will be tough for the Wolverines — and anyone, for that matter — to beat. — Clayton Sayfie Ranking Each Game On Michigan's Schedule From Least To Most Difficult Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields threw for 41 touch- downs against three interceptions and rushed for 10 more scores last year, and many dubbed him the preseason favor- ite for the Heisman Trophy. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL