Penn State and linebacker
Jason Cabinda took down
quarterback J.T. Barrett
and Ohio State in the
regular season last year
en route to winning the
Big Ten championship.
PHOTO COURTESY PENN STATE
BY AUSTIN FOX
M
ichigan returns just five starters
from last year's team that fin-
ished 10-3, and as a result many
experts anticipate the Wolver-
ines will take a step back in 2017. Consider-
ing how much talent is departing from last
season's squad, that may be a fair expectation.
While several of the nation's elite programs
(Alabama, Ohio State, etc.) simply reload year
after year, some wonder whether Michigan is
at that point — yet. The Wolverines are ex-
pected to get there under head coach Jim Har-
baugh, and how successful they are in 2017
will show whether or not they've reached that
destination.
Other than at quarterback and defensive
line, Michigan will rely heavily on youngsters
at every position on the field. Granted, the
young new starters will be extremely talented,
but they also are inexperienced.
If the new crop of starters progress slower
than expected, Michigan will definitely take
a step back from last year. If they develop
faster than anticipated, though, the Wolverines
should contend for a spot in the College Foot-
ball Playoff once again. Here is our Big Ten
preview heading into the 2017 season:
