The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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14 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2017 FOOTBALL PREVIEW MICHIGAN FOOTBALL JOHN BORTON NCAA Champion: Alabama Four Playoff Teams: Alabama, USC, Ohio State and Clemson Big Ten Championship Game: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin Michigan Regular-Season Record: 10-2 Most Anticipated U-M Game: Ohio State Big Ten Team On The Rise: Nebraska Big Ten Team On The Decline: Michigan State Offensive Breakout Player: RB Chris Evans Defensive Breakout Player: LB Devin Bush Jr. Michigan MVP: QB Wilton Speight CHRIS BALAS NCAA Champion: Alabama Four Playoff Teams: Alabama, Florida State, USC and Ohio State Big Ten Championship Game: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin Michigan Regular-Season Record: 10-2 Most Anticipated U-M Game: Ohio State Big Ten Team On The Rise: Maryland Big Ten Team On The Decline: Michigan State Offensive Breakout Player: RB Chris Evans Defensive Breakout Player: Viper Khaleke Hudson Michigan MVP: RB Chris Evans AUSTIN FOX NCAA Champion: Alabama Four Playoff Teams: Alabama, Ohio State, Florida State and Oklahoma Big Ten Championship Game: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin Michigan Regular-Season Record: 10-2 Most Anticipated U-M Game: Ohio State Big Ten Team On The Rise: Northwestern Big Ten Team On The Decline: Iowa Offensive Breakout Player: RB Chris Evans Defensive Breakout Player: DE Rashan Gary Michigan MVP: OL Mason Cole LELAND MITCHINSON NCAA Champion: Florida State Four Playoff Teams: Alabama, Ohio State, Florida State and USC Big Ten Championship Game: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin Michigan Regular-Season Record: 10-2 Most Anticipated U-M Game: Ohio State Big Ten Team On The Rise: Maryland Big Ten Team On The Decline: Michigan State Offensive Breakout Player: WR Kekoa Crawford Defensive Breakout Player: DE Chase Winovich Michigan MVP: DT Maurice Hurst BRANDON BROWN NCAA Champion: USC Four Playoff Teams: USC, Ohio State, Florida State and Alabama Big Ten Championship Game: Ohio State vs. Nebraska Michigan Regular-Season Record: 10-2 Most Anticipated U-M Game: Ohio State Big Ten Team On The Rise: Maryland Big Ten Team On The Decline: Wisconsin Offensive Breakout Player: RB Chris Evans Defensive Breakout Player: DE Rashan Gary Michigan MVP: QB Wilton Speight Staff Predictions Michigan Will Wear An Alternate Uniform In 2017 Michigan will pick one game in which to wear an alternate uniform this season, head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed in June, and most believe it will be for the Oct. 7 home tilt with Michigan State. There's plenty of speculation that the Big Ten will make that a night game, which would be the first in history between the two schools. "We talked about it when we first signed up with Nike — that would be something we would be interested in if they were inter- ested in," Harbaugh said. "It's been designed. At least once this year [we'll wear it]. "Some people like the element of surprise. I don't know if I'm at liberty to say. I know which game it's going to be, but I don't want to steal somebody else's thunder." Harbaugh said he was more than pleased with Nike so far. "It's been an unbelievable partnership. It's pretty fascinating," he said. Grant Perry Returns After Suspension Michigan junior wide receiver Grant Perry is back with the Wolverines, following a suspension for his arrest last year. "He's back working out with the team," Harbaugh said fol- lowing the Michigan coaches' satellite camp at John Carroll University in early June. Harbaugh added Perry would be with the Wolverines in fall camp, acknowledging he didn't think Perry's case was resolved yet. Perry still faces four charges from an alleged incident outside of an East Lansing bar on Oct. 15, 2016. His case moved from district court in East Lansing to Ingham County Circuit Court in March, and he was scheduled for a July 17 trial. Harbaugh suspended Perry at the time of the alleged incident in October. He returned to the team and played a significant role against Ohio State, catching four passes for 49 yards, but was suspended again when charges were filed. He returns as U-M's leading receiver with 27 career catches, and caught 13 passes for 183 yards (14.1 per reception) and a score last year. "Grant Perry is an outstanding football player," Harbaugh said. Perry hauled in 13 receptions for 183 yards and one touchdown last season, and is U-M's leading returning receiver with 27 career catches. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN