The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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50 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2. OCT. 20 AT MICHIGAN STATE The Wolverines should be 3-0 against the Spartans in Jim Harbaugh's tenure, but they aren't — they're 1-2, and MSU returns a strong team. Michigan lost on a fluke dropped punt snap in 2015 and in a downpour in 2017. In the latest meeting, U-M fell behind in the first half and failed to score in the pouring second-half rain, losing by three with five turnovers. U-M needs to take this series back, and it needs to start this year. A loss in East Lansing would keep the series momentum with the Spartans and make it difficult to win the Big Ten East. 3. NOV. 3 VS. PENN STATE Head coach James Franklin's team has been the surprise of the Big Ten the last two years, winning the conference in 2016 and finishing 11-2 and No. 8 nationally last season. The Nit- tany Lions lose elite running back Saquon Barkley, but quarterback Trace McSorley is among the best in the league. This is a home game the Wolverines have to win, since it's a Big Ten East op- ponent, and PSU gets both Ohio State and Michigan State at home (with a bye week in between). 4. SEPT. 1 AT NOTRE DAME Even though some are calling this a "do or die" start to the season … it isn't. The game will serve as a good, early gauge, but the Wolverines could bounce back from a loss and still win the conference and make the College Football Playoff. Losing a Big Ten East contest would be tougher to overcome since that team would likely have to lose twice for U-M to still have a shot at the title game. Still, this is the return of the rivalry with the Irish and the nation will be watching in primetime on NBC opening weekend. Sports Illustrated called it the best game of week one, despite Auburn-Washington, Virginia Tech-Florida State, LSU-Miami and Alabama-Louisville also populating the slate. 5. OCT. 13 VS. WISCONSIN The perennial Big Ten West champs are always tough, either home or away, and Michigan will need to bring its 'A' game even at home to beat Paul Chryst's team. The Badgers have won three of the last four with U-M and five of eight. Michigan needed a late score to win 14-7 in Ann Arbor two years ago. 1. NOV. 24 AT OHIO STATE Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson stirred the pot when he said he didn't believe Michigan put enough emphasis into the grudge match anymore. He doubled down on that at the May 19 ChadTough Fundraiser in Ann Arbor, saying, "Every game has been put on the same level of that game, and that's not the way we were brought up. That's not the way we were raised around here. We had no shame in saying [we were going to beat Ohio State]." In truth, the Wolverines were horribly unlucky not to have won in Columbus two years ago — having outplayed the Buckeyes but not receiving the breaks or a few calls — and last year's game plan was outstanding. They just needed better quarterback play. But Woodson was right in saying, "The time is now. … That's it. That's the game." Top Five Games Michigan hasn't beaten Ohio State in Columbus since 2000 — and has won in the series just twice since — but Rashan Gary and company are looking to change that this fall. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Top Five Freshman Candidates To Play Michigan signed 19 players last year, down from 30 a year be- fore, and there aren't as many candidates to play early given the older talent on the roster. But here's the list of those most likely to see the field this fall: 1. Athlete Michael Barrett A high school quarterback, Barrett is a true play- maker. Many believe the shifty 6-0, 215-pounder — who threw for 4,640 yards and 45 touchdowns in high school, and rushed for another 2,647 and 38 — is destined to shine at slot receiver, but there are some who would like to see him get a shot at running back. He's a Rivals.com three-star who might have been underrated. 2. LB Cameron McGrone Michigan is loaded at linebacker, but the 6-1, 225-pounder is good enough to play immediately, even if it's primarily on special teams. Defensive coordinator Don Brown raved about him during U-M's late April trip to France and believes he'll fit right in with the rest of his outstanding group. 3. CB Myles Sims "Spider" Sims was an early enrollee, which already gives him a leg up when it comes to early playing time. He's extremely long at 6-3, and while he's still got plenty to learn, he could see the field if injuries continue to plague a talented cornerback group. Sophomore Ben St-Juste and junior Lavert Hill missed much of spring, allowing Sims to get some run. 4. RB Christian Turner Turner isn't big — listed at 5-11, 185 pounds out of high school — but he's extremely shifty and could provide some depth and playmaking ability at run- ning back the way junior Chris Evans did in his first year (614 yards, 4 touchdowns). He won't be an every down back until he learns how to pass block, but he can be used situationally. 5. DE Julius Welschof The three-star German is 6-6, 253 and already in playing shape, while the coaches have said they believe he's one who could con- tribute early. He is an outstanding athlete, and though the Wolver- ines are deep at end, he could see the field. He turned 21 in March and could improve quickly after stepping on campus. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM