The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1386887
124 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW East Division 1. Ohio State (12-0 overall, 9-0 Big Ten): The Buckeyes lost several of their best players from last season (quarterback Justin Fields, leading rusher Trey Sermon, their top five tacklers, etc.), but as usual they are set to reload in elite fashion with freshman quarterback C.J. Stroud and arguably the best receiving unit in the nation (headlined by junior Chris Olave and sophomore Garrett Wilson, who combined for 1,452 yards and 13 touchdowns last year). OSU's schedule is favorable as well with Iowa and Wisconsin absent from the slate, and Oregon and Penn State both having to come to Columbus. 2. Penn State (9-3 overall, 6-3 Big Ten): The Nittany Lions should be signifi- cantly improved from the 2020 squad that went 4-5, thanks in large part to a three-headed monster at running back (freshman Keyvone Lee, and sopho- mores Noah Cain and Devyn Ford) that is finally healthy after being banged up for much of last fall. A defense that finished 17th in the country returns six of its eight leading tacklers, but a brutal schedule that includes trips to Wisconsin, Ohio State and Iowa will likely prevent Penn State from realistically challenging OSU for the division title. 3. Indiana (7-5 overall, 5-4 Big Ten): The return of key offensive cogs such as redshirt sophomore quarterback Michael Penix Jr., senior wideout Ty Fryfogle and redshirt sophomore receiver Miles Marshall should allow the Hoosiers to enjoy a winning season for the third year in a row under head coach Tom Allen, though no clear heir apparent to departed running back Stevie Scott (2,543 rushing yards in three years) could cause problems in the backfield. IU's defense will once again be stout after finishing a respectable 43rd nation- ally, though a slight step back from last year's 6-2 (6-1 Big Ten) season seems inevitable with trips to Iowa, Penn State and Michigan looming. 4. Michigan (7-5 overall, 4-5 Big Ten): The Wolverines will attempt to re- bound in a big way from a disastrous 2020 campaign that saw the club go 2-4, but significant question marks at quarterback, offensive line and nearly every level of the defense aren't likely to make it a quick turnaround. Redshirt freshman quarterback Cade McNamara will at least be surrounded by a solid running back stable and receiving unit led by redshirt sophomore Hassan Haskins and junior Ronnie Bell, respectively, providing optimism for an offense that finished 78th nationally last year (381.8 yards per game). 5. Michigan State (5-7 overall, 3-6 Big Ten): Head coach Mel Tucker's debut cam- paign in East Lansing resulted in a 2-5 disaster, and 2021 isn't expected to be much better, thanks in large part to an offense that finished 109th nationally last season. The quarterback situation remains murky with redshirt freshman Payton Thorne and fifth-year senior Temple transfer Anthony Russo battling for the starting job, though a running back unit that brings back its four top rushers will benefit immensely from the arrival of Wake Forest sophomore transfer Kenneth Walker (579 yards and 13 touchdowns last year). T6. Maryland (5-7 Overall, 2-7 Big Ten): The Terps' offense is shaping up rather nicely with sophomore quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, senior running back Tayon Fleet-Davis, junior wideout Dontay Demus and freshman receiver Rakim Jarrett all back, after the unit ranked 54th in the country last season in yards per game (409). The defense wrapped up a dismal 86th, however, and is expected to be a problem once again, though one positive for third-year head coach Mike Locksley's crew is that West Virginia, Iowa, Indiana, Penn State and Michigan all have to play in College Park. T6. Rutgers (4-8 overall, 2-7 Big Ten): The Scarlet Knights bring back redshirt junior quarterback Noah Vedral, their leading rusher in junior Isaih Pacheco and their top six pass catchers, though the offensive unit as a whole ranked 106th nationally in yards per game (335.3) in 2020. The defense returns 10 of its top 11 tacklers and gives head coach Greg Schiano some much-needed continuity on both sides of the ball while he tries to lead the program to its first winning season since the 8-5 campaign in 2014 under Kyle Flood. Predicted Order Of Finish QB — C.J. Stroud, Ohio State (No. 5 overall)* RB — Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota (No. 10) WR — Chris Olave, Ohio State (No. 1)* TE — Jake Ferguson, Wisconsin (No. 17)* OL — Thayer Munford, Ohio State (No. 9)* DL — Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan (No. 8) LB — Micah McFadden, Indiana (No. 16)* CB — Tiawan Mullen, Indiana (No. 20)* S — Brandon Joseph, Northwestern (No. 4)* * On Michigan's regular-season schedule in 2021 Best In The Big Ten By Position Pro Football Focus ranked six Buckeyes among the top 10 returning players at their positions nationally, including junior defensive end Tyreke Smith (No. 9). That total was second only to Alabama's nine. PHOTO COURTESY OHIO STATE ATHLETICS