The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 127 Opponent Position Groups Ranked Among The Nation's Best Athlon ranks the best position groups nationally every year in its annual preseason magazine. Here's where U-M foes from the 2021 slate checked in: Ohio State No. 1 offensive line, No. 1 re- ceivers/tight ends, No. 2 defensive line, No. 7 running backs, No. 9 quarterbacks Note: Ohio State was one of just two schools with multiple position groups ranked No. 1, and one of five programs to have every offensive position listed among the top 10 Washington No. 5 offensive line, No. 7 de- fensive backs, No. 9 linebackers Wisconsin No. 7 linebackers U-M Opponents On Preseason All-America Teams DL Haskell Garrett, Ohio State — Lindy's (1st team) DB Brandon Joseph, Northwestern — Athlon (1st team), Lindy's (1st team) OL Thayer Munford, Ohio State — Athlon (1st team), Lindy's (1st team) WR Chris Olave, Ohio State — Athlon (1st team), Lindy's (1st team) DB Sevyn Banks, Ohio State — Lindy's (2nd team) OL Jaxson Kirkland, Washington — Athlon (2nd team) LB Micah McFadden, Indiana — Athlon (2nd team) DB Tiawan Mullen, Indiana — Lindy's (2nd team) OL Rasheed Walker, Penn State — Lindy's (2nd team) WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State — Athlon (2nd team) DL Zach Harrison, Ohio State — Athlon (3rd team) Schedule Breakdown 2021 S&P+ Returning Previous Opponent 2020 Record Ranking Starters (Out of 24) Opponent (2020 record) Western Michigan 4-2 85 18 — Washington 3-1 11 16 Montana (2-0)* Northern Illinois 0-6 112 19 Wyoming (2-4) Rutgers 3-6 94 21 Delaware (7-1)* Wisconsin 4-3 9 17 Notre Dame (10-2) Nebraska 3-5 30 14 Northwestern (7-2) Northwestern 7-2 75 9 Rutgers (3-6) Michigan State 2-5 59 16 Indiana (6-2) Indiana 6-2 27 18 Maryland (2-3) Penn State 4-5 14 16 Maryland (2-3) Maryland 2-3 32 16 Michigan State (2-5) Ohio State 7-1 4 11 Michigan State (2-5) * FCS program Tiawan Mullen became the first Indiana cornerback to ever earn first-team All-America honors last fall, earning the nod from the Football Writers Association of America and Phil Steele. PHOTO COURTESY INDIANA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS 11. Wisconsin — Michigan hasn't won at Wisconsin since 2001. On top of that, the Badgers have outscored the Wolverines 84-25 over the last two years, including a 49-11 drubbing in 2020. Wisconsin went 4-3 last season and has some questions to answer itself, but expecting Michigan to go in and win this one on the road in week five is a tough ask. 12. Ohio State — Michigan's struggles against Ohio State are well documented. Much like the Wol- verines dominated the series in the late 1980s through the 1990s, Ohio State has been in full control ever since the turn of the century, and has come out on top in 15 of the last 16 meetings. The two teams didn't play last season for the first time since 1917 due to COVID-19 concerns, but the Buckeyes — who won the Big Ten and made a national title game appearance — were favored by 30 points before the contest wound up being canceled. Despite returning just four starters on defense and being tasked with replac- ing first-round quarterback Justin Fields, Ohio State is expected to top the conference once again and will be an immense challenge for Michigan Nov. 27 at The Big House. — Clayton Sayfie Wisconsin linebacker Jack San- born has led the Badgers in tack- les each of the last two years and racked up 132 stops, 13 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and four inter- ceptions during that time. PHOTO COURTESY WISCONSIN ATHLETICS 2021 Opponents In 1-130 Rankings Team Athlon Lindy's Avg. Ohio State 4 5 4.5 Wisconsin 13 13 13.0 Penn State 19 21 20.0 Washington 22 17 19.5 Indiana 21 20 20.5 Michigan 32 28 30.0 Northwestern 47 34 40.5 Nebraska 48 62 55.0 Maryland 57 72 64.5 Rutgers 76 65 70.5 Michigan State 77 79 78.0 Western Michigan 92 106 99.0 Northern Illinois 122 122 122.0