The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/510942
Coinciding with our internal poll, we asked the media what is Michi- gan's best position group coming out of the spring (defensive line) and the one causing biggest concern (wide receiver), and their opinions were in- line with our position grades. Finally, we polled the media for an early prediction on next season's re- cord. Eight of the nine said 8-4 with one vote for 7-5. Michigan will likely not be favored to win at Utah in the season opener Sept. 3, at home against Michigan State Oct. 17 and at home against de- fending national champion Ohio State Nov. 28, and may be an underdog at Minnesota Oct. 31 and at Penn State Nov. 21. Many fans are expecting the im- mediate boost Urban Meyer brought to Columbus in 2012 (going 12-0), but his team was only two years removed from a 12-1, Big Ten and Sugar Bowl championship team, and had much more talent than Michigan returns. Harbaugh has consistently over- achieved in year one during his pre- vious coaching stops, improving his three teams — the University of San Diego, Stanford University and the San Francisco 49ers — by an aver- age of three wins per stop in his first season. Can he repeat that success this fall? Michigan's season will likely de- cided by the five contests it is not fa- vored in. Is it possible the Maize and Blue will win two or three? Yes, but the last few seasons should make one cautious to proclaim any forecasts of grand success. ❏ Redshirt freshman outside linebacker Lawrence Marshall was considered to be the top performer on defense during the spring, and he is expected to make an impact this fall in a pass-rush specialist role. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL