The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2017 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 21 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL .5519 Is the combined 2016 winning percentage (85-69) of U-M's opponents this fall, which ranks as the 42nd-highest in the land, according to Phil Steele. The Wolverines will face four teams that finished last season ranked and eight that played in a bowl game. 2 Is where Lindy's ranked Michigan Stadium among the top five venues in col- lege football, behind only the Rose Bowl. "The Big House gives the Wolverines every last ounce of support, and under Jim Harbaugh, the Wolverines are giving it back," the publication noted. 3 Wolverines were ranked among the best at their position nationally by Lindy's — No. 2 center Mason Cole, No. 3 defensive tackle Maurice Hurst Jr. and No. 21 quarterback Wilton Speight. 4 U-M defensive linemen were named preseason All-Big Ten picks by Athlon — Hurst and sophomore end Rashan Gary were both listed on the first team, while redshirt junior end Chase Winovich was a third-team choice and classmate Bryan Mone was a fourth-team pick. Ohio State, with four on the first two teams, was the only other program with more than two. Hurst was also named a second-team preseason All-American by the outlet (as was Cole, who was a third-team choice at center). 5 Is also where Athlon ranked Michigan's defensive line nationally. "With Taco Charlton, Chris Wormley and Ryan Glasgow no longer around, Michigan's line has a few holes to fill — yet returns as much frontline talent as any in the na- tion," the preseason annual wrote. Other U-M position groups to crack the nation's top 25: running back (No. 17), offensive line (No. 23) and linebacker (No. 25). 6 Michigan freshmen were listed among the nation's top 100 newcomers by Lindy's, led by No. 12 Donovan Peoples-Jones (No. 1 WR). Also making the cut were: No. 25 Aubrey Solomon (No. 2 DT), No. 44 center Cesar Ruiz (not ranked at position), No. 56 defensive end Luiji Vilain, No. 80 linebacker Drew Single- ton and No. 94 cornerback Ambry Thomas. The rookie wideout class was the second best nationally, behind Alabama. 21 Is where Hurst checked in on Mel Kiper Jr.'s big board of the top prospects available in the 2018 NFL Draft. "The Wolverines had a senior-laden defensive line in 2016, and so Hurst wasn't a starter," he wrote. "But he stood out as a rotational player who could split double teams and get into the backfield. Hurst (6-2, 277) had 4.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss." In the expert's posi- tional rankings (broken into two separate groups of seniors and draft-eligible underclassmen), Hurst was the No. 1 senior defensive tackle. Three other Wolverines made the way-too-early positional rankings: Cole (No. 3 senior of- fensive tackle), Mike McCray (No. 5 senior outside linebacker) and Khalid Hill (No. 2 senior fullback). 38 Straight starts have been made by Cole — he has not only played in every game of his Michigan career, but started them all. The first true freshman in school history to start a season opener up front — at the most important position of left tackle, nonetheless — was also a four-year starter that never missed one of his 53 prep contests at Palm Harbor (Fla.) East Lake. Starting every regular-season game and a bowl this year would give Cole the school record, break- ing Jon Jansen's mark of 50 straight starts. 5 Is where JIM HARBAUGH was in CBS Sports' ranking of the 64 Power Five conference coaches, plus Notre Dame's Brian Kelly. He rose five spots from last year, and was listed behind only Alabama's Nick Saban, Ohio State's Urban Meyer, Clemson's Dabo Swinney and Florida State's Jimbo Fisher. By The NUMBERS PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN