This just isn't the greatest depth chart, roster, call it what you will. And the thing is, there are a good two dozen player who are even bigger wildcards. It isn't Harbaugh's fault and for once it isn't Brady Hoke's either. Maybe it has become more of a game of reloading, especially among the very few top teams, but it still happens that way in college football.
Looking back at last year there was just too much pressure on Wilton Speight to throw pinpoint passes. As many pundits and analysts have said, the running game disappeared at the end of last year; coincidentally or not, the long passing attack went by the wayside too. Maybe it was tougher opponents. Maybe it was fatigue, too much pressure, or just human mistakes. Jabrill Peppers played in two of the last three games.
Can the offensive line be better by attrition? Harbaugh is a master of improvisation and he made them as good as anyone could last year. He hasn't had a lot of time or opportunity (given the roster) to instill his own system. He is a great passing game coordinator and quarterback coach, but his system (e.g., Stanford) also includes running. Quick, let's look to see what patsies are on the schedule! Will Michigan have a solid running game that works against really good teams too?
That's the question. Florida probably has big-time recruits on defense and we could have a bit of an answer quickly. What will it look like without De'Veon Smith? Can two returning starters and a 5th-year senior hold together an offensive line?
Wilton Speight isn't going to do it without a lot of help from the receivers. It took Darboh and Chesson years to become that good and so far, except maybe Grant Perry, no one else has shown much/anything. Without a running game Michigan could lose more than a couple of games in 2017.
Who are the patsies? Even middling Big Ten teams like Minnesota, Maryland, and Indiana could pose a threat this year while Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Penn State may be too much to handle.
Under Harbaugh the recruiting has been so stellar that the patsies and also-rans (e.g., Michigan State) should be relatively easy prey. Wisconsin at home? That has been a while and recently Michigan has had an answer there. Penn State--are they really that good? Also in the recent past, they haven't been much of a hurdle to the Wolverines. Beat Ohio State? I'll believe it when I see it.
Jim Harbaugh is an excellent coach but this year the euphoria exceeds the value: 9-3.
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