Michigan Football Preview 2017

2017 Michigan Football Preview

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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THE BIG FOUR Four teams appear to be on a level no other Big Ten teams are on heading into 2017 — Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin. All four will likely come into the season ranked in the Associated Press top 20, and all will be expected to challenge for their respective division titles. With Michigan and Penn State regaining their status among the conference's elite, the Big Ten is returning to its old self in some ways — both teams have been inconsistent in recent years, but each traditional powerhouse appears to have found its footing. The debate for which team is fifth best in the league is a heated one, but it's clear these four reign supreme. YOUNG TALENT Ohio State's Urban Meyer and Michigan's Jim Harbaugh have recruited as well as just about anybody in the country over the last few years, and now Penn State's James Franklin appears to be joining the mix as well. As a result, all three of these programs will rely on youth at key positions in 2017. Sophomore Demario McCall will be tasked with filling the void left by the departed Curtis Samuel in Columbus, while sophomore running back Miles Sanders will see an expanded role in an excellent Penn State backfield. Michigan will be the youngest team of all, though, because the Wolverines are expected to start six sophomores on defense while also depending on several youngsters on offense, including sophomore running back Chris Evans plus freshmen wide receivers Donovan Peoples-Jones and Tarik Black. NEW COACHES Three teams will have new coaches in 2017. Minnesota and Purdue hired proven winners in P.J. Fleck and Jeff Brohm, respectively, while Indiana stayed in house and promoted defensive coordinator Tom Allen. Fleck led Western Michigan to unprecedented success during his time with the Broncos, and steps into a good situation at Minnesota in which the Gophers appear ready to win right away. Like Fleck, Brohm was also successful at his previous stop (Western Kentucky), but he faces a major rebuilding challenge at Purdue. Indiana's choice of Allen is a tough one to judge — he has never been a collegiate head coach, but he brings a defensive mentality to Bloomington, which is a stark contrast from the Kevin Wilson era. PREVIEW The Beasts Of The East Division Should Lead The Way Again TOP THREE STORYLINES THE WOLVERINE 2017 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 123

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