NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
Sometimes I wake up and remember it wasn’t a dream my Michigan Wolverines really did lose in the College Football Playoff game to TCU. Another lasting image is J.J. McCarthy standing on the field watching the Horned Frogs celebrate the win. Using that as fuel for the summer along with a sound win IN the shoe versus Ohio State the Big Ten starts and ends with the maze and gold. Teams like the Buckeyes and a hungry Penn State bunch are looking to knock them off. With a talented quarterback and dynamic running back duo that is just some of the talent on this squad and what it’s worth 6 Michigan Wolverines made the ESPN Top 100 list. So what to expect in 2023?
The best QB in the Big Ten is J.J. McCarthy period and he enters his 3rd year ready to take the team to the mountaintop. What makes his game go is having two studs in the backfield All-America running back Blake Corum (1,463 yards, 18 TD) and sidekick Donovan Edwards (991 yards, seven TD). Corum is back from injury and should pick up where he left off. The ground and pound forces 7 in the box and frees up the play-action pass for McCarthy to take deep shots and open things up. Grabbing offensive linemen in the transfer portal with starting experience will help sure things up.
At the tight end, I am high on Colston Loveland who showed a lot of promise, they once again dipped in the portal and scooped up A.J. Barner from Indiana. On the outside, we will have to see who steps up and takes the lead role Cornelius Johnson who had 6 touchdowns last season will be the de facto number 1. Having a steady threat on the outside or in between the lines will only help McCarthy we all know that the run game won’t always be humming along.
The recent years of the Wolverines having a top-level defense won’t stop. Even with elite edge rushers and linebackers leaving the reloading continues. Being ranked number 6 last season in total defense, up front Mason Graham and Kris Jenkins start it off. Junior Colson was all-Big Ten at linebacker on the back end Will Johnson was a standout as a freshman and should be even better and carry the DB group. Something to keep an eye on is the new DB Amorion Walker who makes the move from wideout. Both safeties Rod Moore and Makari Paige have starting experience and are dependable. This is a deeper group than last year and with DC Jesse Minter will have this group ready to attack and hit anything that moves. Mike Morris who was the Big Ten Defensive lineman is gone and now Braiden McGregor looks to be next. The formula of rushing the passer and forcing the QB into mistakes creates opportunities for the 2nd level. They also shut down running lanes. The schedule is soft to start and is perfect to work out roles and kinks. By the time they play the Cornhuskers in week 5, we will have some answers.
Cold, windy, snow, and ugly is how I would describe a normal Big Ten football weekend, and with that, you need a kicker you can trust. Well, that isn’t the case for Michigan as of yet with three kickers playing for the number 1 spot. A group of a returning player, a true freshman, and a transfer battling it out. Not to mention a new returner is needed as well. If a game comes down to a FG you have to have someone solid and as the kids say “College kickers man.”
Outlook
Overall this team has all the pieces you need to make a return to the CFB Playoff and end up in a National Championship. A soft schedule and getting the Buckeyes at home the map is looking good. The schedule is back loaded and experience would have been gained by then, But the games are played on the field and that is where the next step is needed. This is one of those seasons where every week we will learn more and more about this Michigan team and that makes it exciting. It all begins on Septemember 2nd agasint ECU. Hail to the victors and GO BLUE!
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