The Michigan football program enters fall camp with a couple of important questions to answer while the nation continues to opine about the Wolverines' ceiling in 2016.
Most importantly, head coach Jim Harbaugh needs to pick a quarterback. That competition will be watched closely around the country because of the lofty expectations for Michigan this season.
On paper, the Wolverines defense should be among the best in the Football Bowl Subdivision. One highly touted freshman will attempt to soar—first into the rotation, then onto the national radar.
But for Michigan to reach its potential, each storyline must be answered promptly. The final month of the offseason will determine whether or not a College Football Playoff berth is possible.
Who's the Quarterback?
Harbaugh has been careful to offer as little information as possible about the quarterback battle throughout the offseason.
Wilton Speight and John O'Korn are seemingly a cut above Shane Morris, but the left-hander remains in the race. Plus, according to Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press, Harbaugh said 2016 4-star early enrolleeBrandon Peters is back in the mix, too:
The slate's back clean and open. I've experienced and believe, the quarterback position, there's an order. There's good, better, best. Somebody was first, somebody was second, somebody was third. But after spring ball, there's four months where the quarterback can improve or not improve. You'll see that on Aug. 8.
However, the competition will likely be between Speight and O'Korn.
Speight moved from the third-string role to the backup spot in 2015. He initially served as the garbage-time specialist before leaping Morris on the depth chart and engineering a game-winning drive on the road at Minnesota. Speight is unimpressive athletically, but from what we've seen, he's a smart decision-maker.
O'Korn, on the other hand, has a powerful arm and a willingness to run. Plus, though the Houston transfer scrambled often during the spring game, that was more a product of playing with backup receivers against the first-string defense than a lack of pocket presence.
Does either have the edge? Hopefully Harbaugh provides a clue when camp starts on Aug. 8.
What Can We Expect From Rashan Gary?
Every program wants an immediate-impact freshman. Rashan Gary—the top player in the 2016 class—certainly fits the mold.
However, he's not entering a unit devoid of talent.
"It's great to have him and now he's here, now he's here," defensive line coach Greg Mattison said, per MLive's Nick Baumgardner. "But the thing that excites me, probably, the most with that is he's with a great group of guys that can mentor him and get him into that freshman year."
Chris Wormley is a potential first-round NFL draft pick. Taco Charlton is poised for a breakout season. Bryan Mone, Maurice Hurst Jr. and Ryan Glasgow compose a terrific interior trio.
Gary is already drawing praise from teammates. Angelique S. Chengelis of the Detroit News notes All-American cornerback Jourdan Lewis said "it's unbelievable" and "mind-blowing" how quickly the 6'5", 293-pounder can move.
Even in a limited role, Gary will be impactful. But what's his ceiling in 2016? Only Gary can answer that question.
Will Michigan Have the Nation's No. 1 Defense?
The defensive line is loaded with talented depth, so opposing quarterbacks will constantly be pressured. A stout secondary led by Lewis only increases the problems opponents must overcome.
And with an attacking defensive coordinator like Don Brown, Michigan is going to live in the backfield. The unit may surrender more big plays than it did in 2015, but there should be more turnovers, too.
The Wolverines ended the 2015 campaign with the nation's third-best passing defense—merely two yards per game behind Georgia for the top spot. A similar finish this season is quite probable.
Plus, the rush defense earned a No. 16 ranking nationally. But after surrendering 42.5 percent of the 1,589 yards allowed in just two games (Penn State and Ohio State), Michigan is looking to improve against the run while replacing all three linebackers.
Fortunately, standout Jabrill Peppers is one of the three. He'll play alongside Ben Gedeon and—in all likelihood—Mike McCray.
Barring injury, the Wolverines will showcase an elite defense. Will they claim the No. 1 ranking in 2016?
Can Michigan Navigate the Road Schedule?
More important than any statistical finish, however, is Michigan's record. Harbaugh and Co. should start 7-0 this year.
Despite breaking in a new quarterback, the Wolverines shouldn't have trouble breezing through the nonconference slate, dispatching Hawaii, Central Florida and Colorado.
Michigan opens Big Ten action against a couple of feisty squads in Penn State and Wisconsin. Harbaugh's team must be careful not to overlook either program, but the Maize and Blue will be favored there, as well as opposite Rutgers and Illinois.
Then, the Wolverines enter the gauntlet.
Beginning on Oct. 29 and alternating weeks, they travel to Michigan State, Iowa and Ohio State. Between those matchups are potential trap games against former defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin's Maryland team and Indiana, which took Michigan to double overtime last year.
Fans and analysts alike believe the Wolverines are capable of reaching the College Football Playoff. And if they survive this five-week stretch, the committee simply could not question the resume.
But there's no guarantee Michigan avoids a season-crushing loss.
All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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