The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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50 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW Michigan met several of the goals on last year's list, including a nine-win season (they won 10) and a successful culture change under head coach Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines failed to win a rivalry game, though they came close against Michigan State at home, but it's clear they're on the rise under Jim Harbaugh and staff. Here are some of the primary goals for the 2016 Wolverines: 1. MAKE THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME Who would have guessed 10 years ago that the Big Ten would go to divisions and cham- pionship game format in 2011, and that Michigan wouldn't be involved in any of the first five title contests? Not many. But that's where we are in 2016, with Michigan State having played in three championship games representing the East, Wisconsin having matched the Spartans with three appear - ances and Ohio State appearing in two. It's past time the Wolverines made it to Indianapolis in December, and many have made them the favorite this year. 2. A WIN OVER A RIVAL This makes the list for the second straight year thanks in large part to a dropped punt snap by Blake O'Neill, which was returned for the winning touchdown on the last play of the Michigan State game a season ago. The Wolverines have to travel to both MSU and Ohio State this year (note to new AD Warde Manuel — get these games alternating home/away on the schedule in the near future), but both teams lose a lot while the Wolverines return 15 starters. This could (should) be the year the Wolverines meet this goal. 3. REMAIN STRONG ON SPECIAL TEAMS O'Neill's gaffe versus the Spartans will be the play everyone remembers, but the graduate-transfer was remarkable as a rugby-style punter, pinning 23 kicks inside the 20 and consistently creating long fields for opponents with his punts. Fifth-year senior Kenny Allen will likely take over his duties after exceeding expectations as the placekicker last year, making 81.8 percent of his field goals. A championship might depend on how Allen handles both jobs. 4. DEVELOP YOUNG TALENT INTO DEPTH It's never too early to start looking ahead, and the Wolverines will lose a lot of good, veteran players after this season. Three-fifths of the starting offensive line will graduate as well as two defensive ends, two safeties, three cornerbacks, two receivers, a pair of running backs, an All-American tight end and more. There are good, young players waiting in the wings, and they'll need to get some experi - ence. No team is completely bereft of injury, so they could be needed as soon as this season. 5. SECURE ANOTHER ELITE RECRUITING CLASS Michigan State has proven it can win Big Ten titles (at least when Michigan is down) with talent development, but teams need elite players and playmakers to win at a national level. Ohio State has won a pair in the 2000s (2002 and 2014) by recruiting nationally, and U-M is proving it can scour the entire country for talent and haul it in, too. Rivals.com ranked last year's class fourth nationally, and the Wolverines are already off to a great start in 2017 with 13 commitments and interest from many of the nation's elite players heading into the summer months. Defense — CB Jourdan Lewis Lewis returned for his senior season rather than test NFL waters, and he was one of the team's most respected players even before he sacrificed the big payday (at least for a year). He handles himself extremely well off the field and with the media and is clearly one of the team's most admired leaders. The dark horse — Fifth-year senior end Chris Wormley. He's become one of the spokesmen for the defense the last two years and is also well respected. Offense — WR Jehu Chesson The fifth-year senior wide receiver is every- thing you want in a leader, having elevated his game to become one of the Big Ten's best at his position through hard work. He also handles himself very capably off the field and has earned the trust of his teammates. The dark horse — Fifth-year senior wideout Amara Darboh. He and Chesson have been friends since they arrived on campus and are very similar in everything they do. They're also comparable personality-wise. — Chris Balas Fifth-year senior Kenny Allen is expected to handle both the placekick- ing and punting duties this fall. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Top Five Goals In 2015 Fifth-year senior Jehu Chesson is the reigning team MVP and will be one of the team's leaders this fall. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN Michigan's 2015 Captains: Best Bets Michigan has plenty of upperclassmen on both sides of the ball that have emerged as leaders, so there will be no absence of captain candidates this season. Here are The Wolverine's picks for U-M's leaders this season, a favorite and a dark horse on each side of the ball: