The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/998618
14 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW MICHIGAN FOOTBALL JOHN BORTON NCAA Champion: Alabama Four Playoff Teams: Alabama, Clemson, Washington and Michigan Big Ten Championship Game: Michigan vs. Wisconsin Michigan Regular-Season Record: 11-1 Most Anticipated U-M Game: Ohio State Big Ten Team On The Rise: Nebraska Big Ten Team On The Decline: Indiana Offensive Breakout Player: WR Donovan Peoples-Jones Defensive Breakout Player: DT Michael Dwumfour Michigan MVP: QB Shea Patterson CHRIS BALAS NCAA Champion: Clemson Four Playoff Teams: Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State Big Ten Championship Game: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin Michigan Regular-Season Record: 10-2 Most Anticipated U-M Game: Ohio State Big Ten Team On The Rise: Nebraska Big Ten Team On The Decline: Indiana Offensive Breakout Player: WR Tarik Black Defensive Breakout Player: CB Ambry Thomas Michigan MVP: DE Rashan Gary BRANDON BROWN NCAA Champion: Alabama Four Playoff Teams: Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson and Georgia Big Ten Championship Game: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin Michigan Regular-Season Record: 10-2 Most Anticipated U-M Game: Notre Dame Big Ten Team On The Rise: Purdue Big Ten Team On The Decline: Penn State Offensive Breakout Player: QB Shea Patterson Defensive Breakout Player: DT Aubrey Solomon Michigan MVP: QB Shea Patterson AUSTIN FOX NCAA Champion: Alabama Four Playoff Teams: Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson and Oklahoma Big Ten Championship Game: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin Michigan Regular-Season Record: 10-2 Most Anticipated U-M Game: Ohio State Big Ten Team On The Rise: Michigan Big Ten Team On The Decline: Northwestern Offensive Breakout Player: QB Shea Patterson Defensive Breakout Player: DT Aubrey Solomon Michigan MVP: DE Chase Winovich ANDREW VAILLIENCOURT NCAA Champion: Alabama Four Playoff Teams: Alabama, Clemson, Michigan and Washington Big Ten Championship Game: Michigan vs. Wisconsin Michigan Regular-Season Record: 11-1 Most Anticipated U-M Game: Ohio State Big Ten Team On The Rise: Michigan Big Ten Team On The Decline: Penn State Offensive Breakout Player: QB Shea Patterson Defensive Breakout Player: Viper Khaleke Hudson Michigan MVP: QB Shea Patterson Staff Predictions Tight End Nick Eubanks Is Healthy And Ready To Break Out Michigan redshirt sophomore Nick Eubanks joined a crowded tight end room three years ago as more receiver than blocker and a guy who could stretch the field. Now 6-5 and a self-reported 250 pounds, he's back from injury and ready to add his unique skill set to a talented crew. Eubanks showed what he could do in last year's opener, catching a 48- yard pass in a win over Florida after getting behind the linebackers. But his season came to an abrupt halt in a game at Purdue when he seriously injured his elbow after getting hit on a crossing pattern. He had two catches for 61 yards, both coming against the Gators, at the time of the injury. "I'm just happy to get back into action," he said this spring. "I'm happy to get my arm back the way it's supposed to be." Rather than sulk, Eubanks took the opportunity to get better in the weight room and with the playbook. He leaned on redshirt junior Zach Gentry to help him with the latter and on himself to add a reported 25 pounds from when he first arrived. "I'm a lot stronger," he said. "I wasn't too comfortable playing with my hand on the ground in high school. I knew I needed to be a threat with my hand on the ground and when I'm spread out wide, too. "I didn't look at last year as frustrating. I never took it as a negative impact on me. I took it as, 'There's always next year.' I got in the weight room, got better and stronger, and now I'm here making a comeback." He remains a deep threat despite the added weight, insisting he'd never sacrifice his speed for bulk. "That's one thing I made sure I kept," he said with a grin. "That's one of my abilities … to be able to blow past linebackers." Head coach Jim Harbaugh called him a player on the rise this spring and is excited to see what he can do this fall. — Chris Balas Eubanks has been limited to just five games so far in his U-M career due to injuries, but he hauled in two passes for 61 yards in last year's season-opening win over Florida. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL