CFB: Michigan Football Preview
The Michigan Wolverines are fresh off a 10-3 season which sounds good on the surface, but was disappointing because of how it ended with two consecutive loses to Ohio State and Florida. Michigan will kick off Jim Harbaugh's fifth season against Middle Tennessee State on August 31 at Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines will also host Navy and Notre Dame to complete their non-conference schedule. The Notre Dame game will be played on October 26.
It's well known that Michigan has struggled to win the big game under Harbaugh, which included a 24-17 loss to Notre Dame to start last season. But this year might be different, and that could start with the incoming recruiting class. 247 Sports ranks Michigan as the 8th best class in the country, and they are bringing in guys like Zach Charbonnet, Mazi Smith, Mike Morris, Cornell Wheeler, Trente Jones, and more.
"My biggest expectation is to go up there and prove to everyone that I’m the real deal and more than just a four-star athlete," Morris said. "Honestly the class of 2019 is truly. We talk almost everyday in our group chat. I really feel a strong connection with them. I feel like once we come together we’re gonna up the entire Michigan culture to a whole other level." Morris and his teammates will try to start the season with victories over Middle Tennessee and Navy before Big Ten play.
The conference schedule will get going with a road game versus Wisconsin on September 21. Michigan will then face Rutgers and Iowa at home, before traveling to Illinois and Penn State. Other notable games will come later in the season against Michigan State on November 16 and Ohio State on November 30. Both will be at the Big House. "I’m definitely looking forward to play Michigan State," Wheeler said. "And also with Penn State.”
The biggest game of the year, as always, is the final matchup of the regular season against the Buckeyes. Michigan has yet to beat Ohio State under Harbaugh. Michigan came very close to reaching the 2016 Big Ten title game but fell 30-27 in double overtime to their rival. The last two years have been Buckeyes blowouts, and now, all the pressure is on Harbaugh to get his team a victory. This is the game that will define if Michigan's season is a success or not.
"I want to be better than Devin Bush. I want to be one of the best linebackers to play at Michigan. I want (to) win a Big Ten championship, the natty, and also kill OSU," Wheeler said. “I chose to play at Michigan because I know that they are the best place to grind a lineman out and next year will be great because we are bringing the best 2019 class to Michigan," Jones explained to me.
Photo Credit: MGoBlue.
