The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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Top Five Question Marks 1. What will Michigan get from the quarterback position? This happened to be No. 1 last year as well, and the answer was: 'inconsistency.' Joe Milton started out strong in a win at Minnesota, but he regressed each week and transferred to Tennessee in the spring. Redshirt freshman Cade McNamara had an outstanding game at Rutgers — most rightfully want to see more before anointing him the next Michigan great — and followed with a solid spring game, while frosh J.J. McCarthy is the future. We don't know what to expect of Texas Tech transfer Alan Bowman, other than he'll compete for the starting job and provide critical depth at the very least. The Wolverines need a quarterback who can step up and carry the team on his back at some point. 2. Can the front seven on defense hold up? The Wolverines will likely play more three-man front this year, but it doesn't matter which formation they use if they can't slow the point of attack. There are a lot of smaller lineback- ers, given former defensive coordinator Don Brown's penchant to recruit for his hybrid viper position, and not much beef up front — especially from a depth perspective, the Wolverines appear to be lacking. While some of the freshman linebackers seem to be great athletes, it's a lot to ask a first-year guy to excel in the physical Big Ten. There's a lot of pressure on third-year linemen Chris Hinton and Mazi Smith, both highly recruited players, to perform at a high level. It's up to the coaches to find some depth behind them. It will be a long season on defense if they can't stop the run. 3. Will the cornerbacks hold up against the better passing attacks? Fourth-year redshirt sophomores Vincent Gray and Gemon Green were picked on at times last year, but it wasn't all on them. The lack of a pass rush made them vulnerable in Brown's aggressive scheme, one that put them on an island with a lot of pressure to perform, and they struggled at times. Green had his moments and was solid in some games, but both of these guys need to improve. Perhaps a young guy like redshirt frosh D.J. Turner or freshman Andre Seldon can step up, too. Which brings us to … 4. How much different will the defense look under new coordinator Mike Macdonald? Talk this spring was of better 'protecting' the corners with more zone defense and schemes in which they weren't so vulnerable, and this should help the confidence. Macdonald has insisted the defense will be multiple scheme- wise, but it sounds as though we'll see more three-man fronts with aggres- sive blitz schemes. There will still be times the corners play man, but there should be some relief this year for a group that seems better equipped for more zone looks. 5. Who are the playmakers on offense? Great teams have that player or two you can turn to when you need a yard on the ground, a big catch through the air or a quarterback who can extend a play. The Wolverines haven't had elite play at any of the skill positions since Lloyd Carr was head coach, minus quarterback Denard Robinson (2009-12), and it's time that changes. There's some good, young talent on this team, but it remains to be seen if there are any 'dif- ference makers.' 2021 SEASON PREVIEW Mazi Smith and Chris Hinton (right) are both former touted recruits in their third year in the program that are needed to help improve the Wolverines' front seven from last year. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL THE WOLVERINE 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 47