The Wolverine

2021 Michigan Football Preview

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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THE WOLVERINE 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 51 State yet, but depending on how things go, it can beat teams like Washington, Wisconsin and Penn State. "The problem is that both Wisconsin and Penn State are on the road, and Michigan hasn't won in Madison since 2001." Lassan: "I'll go with 7-5 and a fourth- place finish in the Big Ten East Division. Michigan — and really the entire Big Ten — is hard to get a read on this season due to last year's limited sample size. Additionally, with other factors like coaching changes on both sides of the ball, a new defensive coor- dinator and a quarterback battle to sort out, it's easy to see why the Wolverines are the biggest wild card in the conference. "However, the roster is still talented, and Harbaugh won at least eight games in each of his first five years. Michigan also ranks second in the conference over the last five years in av- erage finish in recruiting. An early test versus Washington should give us a better idea of where the Wolverines stack up in 2021, and catching Indiana, Penn State and Ohio State in November is a break, as it should allow plenty of time to sort through some of the preseason question marks and coaching transition. "I wouldn't be surprised to see 8-4, but with all of the changes and uncertainty from last year, seven wins is a safer pick." Revsine: "I want to see other teams before I get into predictions. On paper, I'd go with somewhere in the 8-4 or 7-5 range — but it certainly could be better if the QB situation pans out. "There are just too many questions at this point to predict anything better than that." Rittenberg: "I'd probably go 9-3, but it wouldn't shock me at all if they go 10-2. I think they're going to sweep the non-con- ference, especially getting Washington at home. Washington is a decent program, but I think Michigan should be able to win that one. Then the other two games are winnable, although Western Michigan is pretty good on offense, so that'll be a good challenge right away for the defense. "Northwestern is going to be probably a little bit down after last year, but that's a dangerous game. [Pat] Fitzgerald has actu- ally only beaten Michigan once. And then Wisconsin is always a problem, Michigan has struggled against them. "I like Iowa coming out of the West, and I think it's actually good that Michigan doesn't get Minnesota this year — I think Minnesota could beat them. Those cross- overs aren't easy, by any means, but they're not brutal, especially getting Northwestern at home — that's a winnable game. "If it's 6-6 or 7-5 this year, I think it's pretty clear that it's not working. If Indiana's beating them, if an improved Maryland or … you just have no business losing to Michigan State. It can't happen again, and if it does, it's over — it's as simple as that." What was your take on Jim Har- baugh receiving a four-year contract extension with a lower base salary and higher importance placed on perfor- mance-based incentives? Bender: "The deal made sense for both sides. Michigan is 11-8 the last two seasons, and not playing Ohio State made it easier to forget about a season that was played through the COVID-19 pandemic. "Still, the program has under-performed the last two years. They were not com- petitive last year. The Wolverines lost four games by an average of 17 points per game, and it's fair to say Harbaugh might have been dismissed had the game against the Buckeyes not been canceled. "That amps up the pressure this year. Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke were unable to escape seasons like that. Harbaugh has more clout, but it's easier to let him go if 2021 ends in disappointment." Fornelli: "I thought it was a good deal for Michigan. On one level, I understand why some Michigan fans might be wary of Har- baugh, or at least developing concern about Michigan needs better quarterback play — whether its Cade McNamara (above) or one of his challengers — to compete for the Big Ten title. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETICS

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