The University of Michigan football program is working to regain contender status, and the school believes new coach Jim Harbaugh is the man to guide the team back.
Following a disappointing 5-7 season, Michigan fired Brady Hoke and replaced him with Harbaugh, who played quarterback for the maize and blue in the mid-1980s. Harbaugh swiftly assembled an experienced and well-traveled staff, one that boasts 40 years of NFL coaching experience.
A strong returning defense gives the Wolverines hope to rebound in a big way after missing a bowl game for only the third time in the last four decades. However, Michigan's lackluster offense must improve dramatically while adapting to a new scheme.
Bleacher Report broke down everything worth knowing about the 2015 Wolverines in a complete season preview, capped by win-loss predictions from a collection of B/R analysts.
Coaches
Save for Greg Mattison, every single coach is occupying his position with the university for the first time. With that being said, there are a few ties to the school. Jim Harbaugh and Tyrone Wheatley donned the winged helmet, while Mattison, Kevin Tolbert and T.J. Weist have previously coached at Michigan.
Harbaugh helped San Diego become a respectable program, built Stanford into a powerhouse and coached the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance before returning to his alma mater.
The 51-year-old added longtime assistant Tim Drevno—who most recently coached at USC for one season—to help the Wolverines return to a run-focused system and Jedd Fisch, a terrific quarterbacks coach.
Tyrone Wheatley, the No. 5 rusher in Michigan history, Jay Harbaugh (tight ends) and Weist (senior analyst) round out the offensive staff.
Harbaugh retained defensive coordinator Mattison but shifted him to the D-line—a coaching job he held at U-of-M from 1992-96—and hired Florida's D.J. Durkin to replace Mattison. Greg Jackson and Michael Zordich lead the defensive backs.
John Baxter and Jay Harbaugh organize the special teams, while Tolbert handles strength and conditioning duties.
What to Watch for: Offense
Harbaugh and Co. have plenty to improve on the offensive side of the ball. Last season, Michigan ranked 111th in scoring (20.9 PPG), 64th in rushing (162.8 YPG), 112th in passing (170.2 YPG) and 115th in total offense (333.0 YPG).
Fortunately for the new staff, barring injury, the O-line is set. From left to right, Mason Cole, Ben Braden, Graham Glasgow, Kyle Kalis and Erik Magnuson will block for to-be-determined athletes. They combined for 47 starts in 2014.
At quarterback, it's a two-man battle between Iowa transfer Jake Rudock and junior Shane Morris, whose Michigan tenure hasn't exactly been sterling. Rudock seems to hold the edge since he protects the football, but Morris is still in contention for the job.
Rudock or Morris will hand off to a talented group of running backs, led by Derrick Green and returning leading rusher De'Veon Smith. USC transfer Ty Isaac is eligible after sitting out 2014 due to NCAA rules, while Drake Johnson could emerge as a No. 1 or 2 now that he's nearly recovered from an ACL injury.
Smith was the only one of the four who didn't miss offseason work due to injury, so he might have a small edge heading into the 2015 campaign. However, Green will likely overtake Smith in short order, and Johnson might cut into Green's carries later on this year.
Tight end Jake Butt and wide receiver Amara Darboh have locked up starting jobs, but two wideout spots remain up for grabs. Jehu Chesson figures to nail down the No. 2 wide receiver job, though Drake Harris is challenging, too. Freddy Canteen, Grant Perry and—to a lesser degree—Brian Cole are competing for the opening in the slot.
What to Watch for: Defense
Highlighted by a strong contingent of linebackers and defensive backs, the Wolverines' key to producing a surprising final record rests on their defense, the strength of the 2015 roster.
Michigan must replace leading tackler Jake Ryan, but linebacker Desmond Morgan is back after missing last season due to injury. Morgan joins Joe Bolden—who racked up 102 tackles—and James Ross III.
Cornerback Jourdan Lewis and safety Jarrod Wilson return, and highly touted 2014 recruit Jabrill Peppers will enter the lineup at free safety. Channing Stribling, Jeremy Clark and Stanford transfer Wayne Lyons are battling for the other cornerback slot.
When the Wolverines switch from Durkin's base 3-4 defense to the nickel, Peppers will slide into the Star position. Delano Hill is the favorite to replace Peppers at free safety in that situation.
"Every guy has certain strengths, and we don't try to fit everyone into one hole," Durkin said, per Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press. "Guys have their own way of doing things, and it's our job as coaches to evaluate what their strengths are and play to it, whether it's multiple in scheme or multiple in personnel."
Injury News
Bryan Mone, a sophomore defensive tackle who was expected to occupy a sizable role on the defensive line, sustained a broken ankle, per Scout.com's Andrew Gorringe.
According to Max Bultman on MLive.com, Darboh had a splint on his left pinky finger during Michigan's scrimmage last Saturday. Lewis, Canteen, Tyrone Wheatley Jr. and Patrick Kugler did not participate, either. Wilson and Mike McCray wore no-contact red jerseys.
Currently, it's unclear if anyone other than Mone will miss a significant portion of the season.
X-Factor
Michigan lacks playmakers on offense, so the best option might be utilizing a defender on occasion. That versatile player, of course, is Peppers.
The 6'2" talent spent time as a running back and receiver in high school, amassing 1,889 total yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior at Paramus Catholic (New Jersey). So, Harbaugh could utilize Peppers in a variety of fashions, which is exactly what Durkin can do on the opposite side of the ball, too.
According to Snyder, Durkin said he's communicating with defensive assistants about the places Peppers—who has questioned nothing—can be used.
"It's an ongoing discussion amongst the staff," Durkin said. "He's great about it. Whatever you ask him to do, he goes and does it, 100 miles an hour. Doesn't ask why or how or what about this. He just goes and does it and is very talented."
Additionally, Peppers can return kicks. It's safe to say that Peppers is the most important player to Michigan since he can impact the game in so many ways.
2015 Schedule
Make-or-Break Games
After opening the 2015 season at Utah, the Wolverines return to the Big House for three consecutive games that can set the tone for their year.
Oregon State shouldn't pose a massive problem, but the Beavers boast a few talented players at skill positions who will certainly test the Michigan defense. Dropping that matchup could open the floodgates for a dismal season.
Following a matchup with UNLV, the last outing of the homestand is opposite BYU. Taysom Hill, a dual-threat quarterback and Heisman hopeful, leads the Cougars. It's imperative the Wolverines topple both Oregon State and BYU, lest they enter Big Ten play needing to avoid a letdown simply to reach a bowl game.
After all, in addition to Maryland and Rutgers—two teams U-of-M fell to in 2014—Michigan State, Minnesota, Penn State and Ohio State remain on the schedule.
Prediction
First and foremost, Harbaugh needs to settle on a quarterback. That choice—whether it's Rudock or Morris—will dictate the course of the 2015 campaign.
Michigan heads to Utah for the season opener, which sets the tone for the brutal schedule Team 136 is preparing to face. Opening the year with a victory would be tremendously beneficial for the Wolverines, but make no mistake, the Utes are a difficult opponent.
Really, Harbaugh and Co. are only locked into a pair of victories against UNLV and Indiana. They'll likely be favored against Oregon State, Maryland, Northwestern and Rutgers—perhaps BYU and Penn State as well, depending on the direction the season takes.
- Barrett Sallee: 8-4
- Adam Kramer: 7-5
- David Kenyon: 7-5
- Michael Felder: 6-6
After 12 games, Michigan will be headed back to postseason play for a late-December bowl appearance.
Prediction: 7-5 (5-3 Big Ten)
All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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