The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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38 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 1. NOV. 26 AT OHIO STATE The Buckeyes and their fans are still steaming from last year's butt- whooping in Ann Arbor, a 42-27 set- back in which they were dominated on both sides of the ball. Despite all the excuses — they ranged from snow hindering the of- fense to "team flu" the week of the game — Ohio State simply got man- handled. Word out of Columbus is that head coach Ryan Day has put even more emphasis on "The Game" this year, determined not to let it happen again. OSU will be the best team Michigan faces in the regular season, at least on paper. But with the gorilla off their backs, the Wolverines can now concentrate on building their own streak against the Buckeyes. They have the talent to do it — and now, guys who know what it takes. 2. OCT. 1 AT IOWA Michigan hammered the Hawkeyes 42-3 in the Big Ten title game and will have more talent on the field when the two teams meet in Iowa City. Iowa has question marks just about everywhere on an offense that struggled mightily last year, including quarterback. Spencer Petras might be the favorite there, and he only completed 57 percent of his throws last year with 9 picks against 10 touchdowns. The Hawkeyes also must replace most of their offensive line. All that said — this will be one of the most physical games U-M plays all year, on both sides of the ball. It will also probably be a night game, and Kinnick Stadium will be rocking. 3. OCT. 29 VS. MICHIGAN STATE Michigan's 36-33 loss at MSU last year was the one that shouldn't have been. Bad breaks, a horrible call on an overturned touchdown and poor second-half defense cost the Wolverines in a game they once led by 16 points. It also gave the Spartans a second straight victory over their in-state rival. It's past time to take that rivalry back, and this is the time to do it — at home with a loaded roster. No excuses. 4. OCT. 15 VS. PENN STATE PSU coach James Franklin is 11-11 in his last 22 games, but was rewarded with a huge contract extension, regardless. He has plenty of talent on his team — perhaps second most in the Big Ten with Michigan (behind Ohio State) — but the Nittany Lions haven't lived up to their fans' lofty expectations the last several years. Sixth-year senior Sean Clifford returns at quarterback — he gives Michigan fits — and this team is always stout defensively (No. 3 in red-zone defense and No. 38 in total defense nationally a year ago). It should be a battle. 5. NOV. 12 VS. NEBRASKA The Cornhuskers were one of the unluckiest teams in the nation last season, with eight of their nine losses coming by a touchdown or less. They even played Ohio State well to the fourth quarter before falling 26-17. Head coach Scott Frost's team is a popular pick to be one of the Big Ten's most improved squads this fall. Vegas odds set the over/under win total at 7.5. This is still a "name" program that plays with a lot of pride, and the Cornhuskers will have revenge on the mind after last year's 32-29 heartbreaking loss to Michigan. TOP FIVE GAMES Senior defensive lineman Mazi Smith is looking to lead U-M to its first road win in Columbus since 2000. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Michigan's 23-man group of incoming freshmen was ranked as On3's No. 9 class nationally, including one five-star and 12 four-star players. The Wolverines topped things off in the portal with a Rim- ington Trophy finalist in Virginia grad transfer Olu Oluwatimi, who will likely start at center. Here are the five rookies (in addition to veteran Oluwatimi) most likely to see the field in 2021: 1. Defensive back WILL JOHNSON Michigan's lone five-star prospect and the son of former Wolverine defensive back Deon Johnson enrolled early and made a splash in the spring. Though slowed by a minor injury, Johnson (6-3, 190) showed off his elite natural ability early and will see signifi- cant playing time in the U-M secondary. He could play a role similar to Dax Hill in his freshman year, moving around in the secondary. Johnson notched 45 tackles (31 solo) with 3.5 for loss, 1 sack and 1 interception among 12 total pass breakups at Grosse Pointe (Mich.) South. He also recorded 1,302 all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving and returns) as a senior in earning Michigan Prep Player of the Year honors from the Detroit News. 2. Wide receiver Darrius Clemons In a crowded wide receiver room this spring, the true freshman early enrollee still made a huge impression. The 6-3, 205-pounder became "one to watch" from the first practice, making big-time catches and showing off his great speed and impressive catch radius. Clemons scored 17 touchdowns and exceeded 800 yards receiving as a senior at Portland (Ore.) Westview. He has the tools to be one of the better receivers to have played at Michigan, and coaches and teammates say he has the desire and work ethic, too. 3. Defensive tackle Mason Graham The Anaheim (Calif.) Servite standout might have been the steal of the 2022 class. He was underrecruited and headed to Boise State until Michigan found him. He enrolled early and more than held his own in the trenches this spring against U-M's outstanding offensive linemen. His play in the spring game, in fact, was eye- opening. The 6-3, 292-pounder, a former prep wrestler, will be in the rotation this fall. He's as advanced at this point in his career as any Michigan frosh defensive tackle we've seen in three decades. 4. Defensive end Derrick Moore At 6-4, 250 pounds, Moore has an incred- ible first step and the potential to be an elite pass rusher. He showed flashes this spring and could be used situationally as a pass rusher, an area in which he dominated at Baltimore St. Frances. Moore notched 24 tackles for loss and 12 sacks a year ago among his 55 stops, and he is only going to get better. 5. Safety Keon Sabb The Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy standout played against outstanding competition and enrolled early to get a head start on the competition. He's already got the size at 6-2, 200 pounds, and he should play on special teams and add depth to a young secondary. He's a great athlete with special skills. 2022 SEASON PREVIEW TOP FIVE FRESHMAN CANDIDATES TO PLAY PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND/ON3.COM