The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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46 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 1. SEPT. 11 VS. WASHINGTON Ohio State would usually be No. 1 on this list, but this Michi- gan team seems to be a year or two away from being able to compete with a loaded OSU squad. The Buckeyes are rolling as a program, and while they have to replace a quarterback this year, they've got Michigan outmatched at most positions. So we turn our attention to the first big game of the year in week two. The Huskies aren't expected to be great and also need to find a quarterback, but they're con- sidered to be loaded defensively and were 3-1 last year with wins over Cal, Oregon State and Utah. They've got plenty of athletes — more than enough to test U-M in The Big House — and will be motivated to capture an early season road win against a marquee opponent. 2. OCT. 30 AT MICHIGAN STATE Michigan's 27-24 home loss to the Spartans in Michigan Sta- dium last year is arguably one of the worst in program history, given how bad the Spartans were. Like U-M, they won only two games (out of seven) and were blown out in many of their others, but with half the Wolverines' talent. Jim Harbaugh is 3-3 against the Spartans in his tenure, and it could easily be 6-0. This is always a big game, obviously, given the rivalry, but more than ever, this is a revenge, red-letter contest and a must win. 3. NOV. 27 VS. OHIO STATE Barring something unforeseen, the Buckeyes will be the heavy favorite to win another Big Ten championship. Michigan has won this game only once since 2003 — that was in 2011 — and hasn't been close in the last few meetings. It's time that changed, and while it might be a lot to ask to win this one, it isn't too much to expect the Wolverines to be competitive and play their best game of the year against their rival. That used to be a given, and it certainly has been for OSU over the last few decades. 4. NOV. 13 AT PENN STATE Michigan's season came to an end with a home loss to PSU last year after COVID concerns canceled the rest of the campaign, a tough way to end against a previously winless team. Happy Valley is never an easy place to play, but this is still one of those 'could go either way' games that could be the difference between a decent season and a good one. There's a revenge factor here with U-M having lost two in a row to the Nittany Lions, and Penn State is similar to the Wolverines in that there's plenty to prove after a disappointing (4-5) 2020. 5. OCT. 2 AT WISCONSIN If ever a non-rivalry game should be circled on the schedule, it's this one, this year. The Badgers have bullied the Wolverines the last two seasons, dominating up front on both sides of the ball in outscoring U-M a combined 84-25, including 49-11 last year. Many will expect Wisconsin to do it again in 2021, given U-M's perceived lack of beef up front defen- sively, so this becomes one of those tests for the Wolverines to prove their pride. Last year's result should be all the motivation they need to play their best game. Most Anticipated Games Michigan will look to take back the Paul Bunyan Trophy from rival Michi- gan State. The Wolverines have claimed it in three of the last five years. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Michigan's 22-man group of incoming freshmen was ranked as Rivals.com's No. 12 class nationally, yet another solid collection of talent for coach Jim Harbaugh and Co. Several of the young Wolverines, on both sides of the ball, will have an opportunity to play early. Here are the five rookies most likely to see the field in 2021: 1. Running Back DONOVAN EDWARDS The Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Michigan is going to play; it's only a matter of how much. The consensus top-70 recruit nationally rushed for 1,502 yards and 30 touch- downs (on just 134 carries, for an average of 11.2 yards per attempt) in an abbreviated season for his state-champion West Bloomfield team last year, can catch the ball out of the backfield (15 receptions for 149 yards and three scores) and showed his explosion many times in the spring. 2. Linebacker Junior Colson The Wolverines need a few players to step up at linebacker, and the true freshman will be one of them. Colson was in the two-deep this spring after picking things up quickly. He is an impressive athlete with outstanding instincts, a great attitude and a college-ready body at 6-2, 230 pounds. The unanimous four-star prospect should be ready to contribute on special teams, at the very least, after a summer in the weight room, and he'll have a legit shot for significant playing time at linebacker. 3. Tight End Louis Hansen The tight end used to be featured prominently in Jim Harbaugh's offense and might be again with the four-star Hansen coming to town. He's somewhat the forgotten man given his position, but his dad reported in May he's up to 6-5, 252.5 pounds, having added 20 pounds of muscle, and he's got incredible hands. He's going to play, and Rivals.com's No. 84 player in his class has the potential to be a great one. 4. Wide Receiver Andrel Anthony The East Lansing product and early enrollee was one of the spring's most pleasant surprises. Though not as heralded as some of his freshman counterparts, he's a playmaker who showed some explosion at 6-2, 180 pounds. He's got great hands and some wiggle to his game, and will likely be in the rotation right away. 5. Defensive Tackle Rayshaun Benny The Wolverines need some help in the middle of the de- fense, and while no defensive tackle has ever made a huge impact in his first year … well, this would be a great year for it. The 6-5, 275-pounder is going to need to add some weight and strength, but he'll be given every opportunity to compete for playing time given how thin U-M is up front defensively. 2021 SEASON PREVIEW Top Five True Freshman Candidates To Play PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM