The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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22 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2023 FOOTBALL PREVIEW the conference crown over West division winner Wisconsin under first-year head coach Luke Fickell. "Look for Michigan to continue its phys- ical style of play this fall on offense," offered Athlon, while praising the team's loaded backfield of quarterback J.J. McCarthy and running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards as well as its offensive line led by all-conference guards Zak Zinter and Trevor Keegan. On defense, Athlon expects the Wolver- ines "to build off a season in which they ranked sixth nationally in total defense." The publication said U-M is deeper and more experienced on the interior and that on the edges "Michigan will rely on a rotat- ing cast of characters to help make do." It talked about a "beefed up linebacker group" with Nebraska import Ernest Hausmann (listed among Athlon's top 23 transfers for 2023) joining junior Junior Colson and graduate Michael Barrett as key performers. Athlon also called out the open corner spot opposite Will Johnson as a place where there could be some "growing pains" early on. The magazine also tabbed Johnson as one of its top 13 breakout players to watch this season. In all, Athlon listed six Michigan position groups in its top-10 national unit rankings led by the No. 1 running back room in the nation. Rounding out the list are the of- fensive line (No. 2), defensive backs and linebackers (both No. 4), defensive line (No. 5) and quarterback (No. 9). In its annual scouting report section, Athlon spoke to an anonymous opposing Big Ten assistant coach, who scoped out the Wolverines as follows: "Last season really sealed it for them. This is a different program. The gap be- tween them and Ohio State hasn't been this close in decades. … It's reload, not rebuild, which is something they've never been able to claim like an Ohio State or SEC team. "The transfers are good, the backfield is great, the QB is great. They've got speed on the edges and defensively they're consis- tent and smart. "… It's proof of concept now, that's why they've stepped it up in recruiting. Jim [Harbaugh] has also found a niche in- side the portal. They breed the culture into those guys. It's elitist, but that's built on confidence, and confident teams are con- sistent. … "The only thing they lack right now is that 'big one' win at the national title level." In picking its best 10 games of the year, A t h l o n r a n k e d Michigan vs. Ohio State (Nov. 25) as No. 1 and the Wol- verines' tilt with Penn State (Nov. 11) as the seventh-best game of the 2023 calendar nationally. Athlon wrapped up its team summary on Michigan by say- ing, "Throw in another easy non-confer- ence schedule and the fact that U-M gets Ohio State in Ann Arbor, and the road is paved for Jim Harbaugh and the Wolver- ines to continue their recent Big Ten domi- nance." Lindy's Sports Lindy's also ranked Michigan atop the Big Ten and No. 2 in the land, stating that this could be Jim Harbaugh's best team yet. "Harbaugh has made Michigan the king of the Big Ten, has his foot on the neck of Ohio State and has established this pro- gram as an annual playoff contender," its preview stated. "Life is good in Ann Arbor. What remains for him is to achieve the one that eluded Bo: A national championship." Veteran sportswriter Tom Dienhart picked the Big Ten for Lindy's with a lead saying that "the NFL can wait — again. Jim Harbaugh has unfinished business in col- lege football." Dienhart also said, "… he's baaaaaack, and that's bad news for the rest of the Big Ten. Yes, we're looking at you, Ohio State." While Dienhart called U-M's schedule "softer than your grandmother's bath tow- els," he concluded his picks for Lindy's by asking, "Can you say 'three-peat?'" Lindy's rated U-M's offensive line No. 1 in the nation with Zak Zinter as a preseason first-team All-American. U-M's offensive backfield checked in No. 2 (behind USC), led by everybody's preseason All-American Blake Corum and its projected Big Ten of- fensive player of the year J.J. McCarthy. "If Harbaugh decides to modernize the offense and air it out a bit, McCarthy is ready for it." Michigan's Preseason All-Americans • RB Blake Corum — first team (Athlon, Lindy's, Phil Steele) • OG Zak Zinter — first team (Phil Steele); second team (Athlon, Lindy's) • C Drake Nugent — second team (Athlon) • LB Junior Colson — second team (Athlon, Phil Steele) • DT Kris Jenkins — second team (Lindy's); third team (Athlon, Phil Steele) • AP Donovan Edwards — third team (Athlon); fourth team (Phil Steele) • CB Will Johnson — third team (Athlon) ATHLON East Division 1. Michigan (12-1, 8-1 Big Ten) 2. Ohio State (11-1, 8-1) 3. Penn State (10-2, 7-2) 4. Maryland (7-5, 4-5) 5. Michigan State (6-6, 4-5) 6. Rutgers (5-7, 3-6) 7. Indiana (4-8, 2-7) West Division 1. Wisconsin (9-4, 6-3) 2. Iowa (8-4, 5-4) 3. Minnesota (7-5, 5-4) 4. Illinois (6-6, 4-5) 5. Nebraska (6-6, 3-6) 6. Purdue (5-7, 3-6) 7. Northwestern (3-9, 1-8) Championship Game: Michigan over Wisconsin Michigan's National Rank: No. 2 LINDY'S East Division 1. Michigan (no records projected) 2. Ohio State 3. Penn State 4. Maryland 5. Michigan State 6. Rutgers 7. Indiana West Division 1. Wisconsin 2. Iowa 3. Minnesota 4. Illinois 5. Nebraska 6. Purdue 7. Northwestern Championship Game: Michigan over Wisconsin Michigan's National Rank: No. 2 PHIL STEELE East Division 1. Michigan (no records projected) 2. Ohio State 3. Penn State 4. Maryland 5. Michigan State 6. Rutgers 7. Indiana West Division 1. Wisconsin 2. Iowa 3. Illinois 4. Minnesota 5. Nebraska 6. Northwestern 7. Purdue Championship Game: Did not pick Michigan's National Rank: No. 3 Preseason Magazines Predict The Big Ten