Big Blue Nation finally might have a reason to smile again. After searching long and hard for the right coach, the Michigan Wolverines might finally have their "Michigan Man" in Jim Harbaugh.
Whether he can work miracles and put the Wolverines back on the map immediately in 2015 remains to be seen, though.
2015 SCHEDULE
9/3: at Utah
9/12: vs. Oregon State
9/19: vs. UNLV
9/26: vs. BYU
10/3: at Maryland
10/10: vs. Northwestern
10/17: vs. Michigan State
10/31: at Minnesota
11/7: vs. Rutgers
11/14: at Indiana
11/21: at Penn State
11/28: vs. Ohio State
The optimist will immediately recognize the fact that Wolverines don't have a very tough schedule this year. The two toughest games against Michigan State and Ohio State are both played at the Big House.
The pessimist though, will realize that this is a team which was beaten at home by Maryland, Minnesota and Utah last year to go with a road loss at Rutgers. Clearly, there isn't such a thing as a freebee game if you're a Wolverine.
SEASON WIN TOTAL
Michigan might be the toughest team in America to line this year. If Brady Hoke was really just that bad of a coach, and Harbaugh is that good of a coach, seeing this team win nine game isn't out of the question without much else going right. However, if Harbaugh still needs a year or two to implement his ways, there's a chance that a bowl game might not even be a certainty.
The number to beat is a rather drab seven, and there is a slight lean on the under with -130 vig.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK
Nine starters are back from last year's team for Michigan, but most notable is the fact that both Devin Gardner and Devin Funchess aren't.
Harbaugh loves his tight ends, and he has a really good one to work with in Jake Butt, who figures to be an All-Big Ten performer by the end of the season. This offensive line looks to be one of the best in the Big Ten, while the receivers are at minimum at least experienced.
Jake Rudock, a transfer from Iowa, is going to be the Michigan starting quarterback this year unless Shane Morris happens to beat him out in the summer, something that we just don't see happening. Rudock is experienced, but never lived up to his hype at Iowa.
DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK
The Michigan defense was fantastic last season, allowing just 311.3 yards and 22.4 points per game. The offense was the real Achilles' heel for the team, but there is a question whether the roles will reverse this season.
The Wolverines have to replace both of their rush ends from last year, which could be a problem. Mario Ojemudia and Taco Charlton are the two most likely replacements, and neither has had a strong collegiate career to date.
That said, this secondary is stout. Blake Countess and Jourdan Lewis had strong seasons last year for Big Blue, and both are back at corner. Delano Hill and Jarrod Wilson are big hitters and could be impact players at the back of the secondary.
SEASON PREDICTION
Michigan is an 80 to 1 longshot to win the National Championship this year, but many in Ann Arbor think that Harbaugh can work miracles in Year 1 of his tenure.
We're not all that optimistic.
The defense is destined to take a step backwards this year, and we don't think enough of Rudock to call him anything more than an average quarterback, even with Harbaugh working with him this year.
The Wolverines will win a few games in conference and could crack the Top 25 at times, but we still only have them pegged as a 6-6 team.
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