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Dolgevillefootballfan
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Michigan
Preview segment: The Michigan Wolverines
Last season: Michigan had made their first major-league bowl game in 6 seasons. They had the #1-ranked defense in the country. And they had 11 future NFL players on their roster. So why were Michigan fans disappointed in 2016?
Maybe it was the fact that they lost 3 games by a combined margin of 5 points. But at least Jim Harbaugh achieved Step #2 of his rebuilding phrase: Get Michigan's expectations back to "sky-high" standards.
Bad news: Let me repeat this fact for you: Michigan lost 11 players to the NFL! Not even Alabama had that many! So you WILL see some growing pains in Ann Arbor, especially on the offensive line.
Good news: There ARE some good players left, like RB Chris Evans and safety Josh Metellus. And the raw talent on the D-line might just be enough for the defense to rank in the Top 20 again.
Key games:
9/2 vs. Florida [in Arlington, TX] (It'll be low-scoring, it'll be brutal, and maybe it'll be what Jim Harbaugh wants to see.)
10/7 vs. Michigan State (...Look, we all know what happened the last time Michigan State went to Ann Arbor.)
10/21 @ Penn State (Maybe the hardest game Michigan will have all season... if only because Penn State will remember that 49-10 beatdown from a year ago.)
11/18 @ Wisconsin (By this time, Michigan SHOULD have their passing game running on all cylinders... which is what they'll need to beat the Badgers.)
11/25 vs. Ohio State (As if you need an explanation.)
Bottom line: Look. Whether they struggle and only get 7 or 8 wins, or somehow surprise Ohio State for the Big 10 East title, don't be surprised at what Michigan does in 2017; Jim Harburgh is that kind of coach. But, replacing all those players certainly won't be easy...
Preview segment: The Michigan Wolverines
Last season: Michigan had made their first major-league bowl game in 6 seasons. They had the #1-ranked defense in the country. And they had 11 future NFL players on their roster. So why were Michigan fans disappointed in 2016?
Maybe it was the fact that they lost 3 games by a combined margin of 5 points. But at least Jim Harbaugh achieved Step #2 of his rebuilding phrase: Get Michigan's expectations back to "sky-high" standards.
Bad news: Let me repeat this fact for you: Michigan lost 11 players to the NFL! Not even Alabama had that many! So you WILL see some growing pains in Ann Arbor, especially on the offensive line.
Good news: There ARE some good players left, like RB Chris Evans and safety Josh Metellus. And the raw talent on the D-line might just be enough for the defense to rank in the Top 20 again.
Key games:
9/2 vs. Florida [in Arlington, TX] (It'll be low-scoring, it'll be brutal, and maybe it'll be what Jim Harbaugh wants to see.)
10/7 vs. Michigan State (...Look, we all know what happened the last time Michigan State went to Ann Arbor.)
10/21 @ Penn State (Maybe the hardest game Michigan will have all season... if only because Penn State will remember that 49-10 beatdown from a year ago.)
11/18 @ Wisconsin (By this time, Michigan SHOULD have their passing game running on all cylinders... which is what they'll need to beat the Badgers.)
11/25 vs. Ohio State (As if you need an explanation.)
Bottom line: Look. Whether they struggle and only get 7 or 8 wins, or somehow surprise Ohio State for the Big 10 East title, don't be surprised at what Michigan does in 2017; Jim Harburgh is that kind of coach. But, replacing all those players certainly won't be easy...