The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MAY 2018 THE WOLVERINE 37 BY CHRIS BALAS M ichigan head coach Jim Harbaugh entered spring ball with one big goal, he said — to get his offense on par with Don Brown's outstand- ing defense. It won't be easy. Brown, entering his third year as U-M's defensive coordinator, has said this defense might be the fastest he's had in his three years at Michigan, and it might end up being the best because it is stocked with NFL-caliber talent. The Wolverines were pedestrian at best in most offensive categories a season ago and downright bad throwing the ball, finishing 11th in the Big Ten in passing offense (171.2 yards per game) and passing effi- ciency (110.3 rating). Their nine touchdown passes were the lowest total in a season since the option- heavy 1975 campaign and a full 30 behind league-leading Ohio State. The bottom line — they have a lot of work to do. Harbaugh has changed things up on his staff, and the Wolverines have plenty of talent. Here's how it's been shaping up this spring, position by position: QUARTERBACKS Michigan returns 68 percent of the team's total offensive production this year, compared to 61 percent in 2017 (see chart on page 16). Redshirt soph- omore Brandon Peters is the only re- turning quarterback that has thrown for any yardage in a Michigan uni- form, racking up 672 a season ago — 30.2 percent of all U-M passing yardage — but he completed only 52.8 percent of his throws. He's not the favorite to start, how- ever. Junior quarterback Shea Pat- terson — a transfer from Ole Miss — threw for more yards (2,259) and almost double the touchdowns (17) as U-M's entire contingent of signal- callers did last season (2,226 yards and nine touchdowns) … and he did it in six games before missing the rest of the season with a knee injury. As of April 16, Patterson had still been waiting for a ruling from the NCAA on an appeal to be immedi- ately eligible. "Shea's practicing and practicing very well," Harbaugh said April 11. "He's going about his business and taking care of it nicely. He's control- ling the things he can control, and we're treating it the same way as a coaching staff and as a team." Harbaugh has said little else about the quarterback position this fall, only that Peters and redshirt fresh- man Dylan McCaffrey have also played well. Freshman Joe Milton will probably redshirt, but he's im- pressed teammates with his cannon for an arm and his ability to move — word has it he threw two long touchdowns in a scrimmage April 14. But it seems very likely it's Pat- terson's job to lose as long as he gets his waiver. "He carries himself with a lot of confidence," redshirt freshman re- ceiver Oliver Martin noted. OFFENSIVE LINE This is the one area in which the Wolverines need great improvement if the offense is going to be better in 2018, and new offensive line coach Ed Warinner is encouraged by what he's seen this spring. Fifth-year senior Juwann Bush- ell-Beatty has been getting a lot of reps at left tackle, though he's being pushed by redshirt freshman (and former defensive lineman) James Hudson. Junior Ben Bredeson is get- ting the most run at left guard, soph- omore Cesar Ruiz is standing out at center and junior Mike Onwenu seems to be just ahead of redshirt sophomore Stephen Spanellis at right guard. Redshirt junior Jon Runyan Jr. has been one of the spring's pleasant surprises, having emerged at right tackle. "It's a great group of guys," Warin- ner said in early April. "They work really hard, and they care. I think they've really improved on what we're trying to get done. "I like where we're at, and I think we can be a very solid Big Ten offen- sive line." He's not making huge promises for the group, nor should he be. This is a unit with a lot to prove after re- linquishing 36 sacks last year with many of the same cast of characters. Harbaugh, though, also likes what he's seen. "I've really been pleased with the offensive line," Harbaugh said. "Run blocking is improving, probably one of the best things we're doing right now. As of [April 11], the pass protec- tion has really been improving. I'm very excited about that. "Cesar Ruiz moved to center and is doing a fantastic job. There's another great player doing great things. And Jon Runyan Jr. is really playing consis- tently well. I'm happy to see that prog- ress as well … and [redshirt freshmen] Chuck Filiaga and James Hudson are starting to assert themselves." If they can hang with Michigan's defense, Warinner said, they can hang with just about anyone. They aren't to that point yet, though there are signs of improvement. Much will depend on the play at left tackle, where nothing is set in stone, and at center. Ruiz seems to have all the tools there, but he's un- tested when it comes to making all the checks and being the quarterback of the line. He's confident he'll be up to the challenge. SEEKING IMPROVEMENT Michigan's Offense Needs To Take A Large Leap Forward Junior Shea Patterson threw for 2,259 yards and 17 touchdowns in just seven games for Ole Miss in 2017, and would represent a significant upgrade under center for U-M if he wins his NCAA appeal for immediate eligibility. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM