The defense gets back into the Top 5
This might not be so much of a hot take, considering that last season was the only one under Jim Harbaugh where the Wolverines weren’t at least in the top four to finish the season.
Michigan finished No. 11 last year in yardage-per-game surrendered. But the influx of speedier playmakers that are growing into their roles makes us confident that the maize and blue will return to form in this light under defensive coordinator Don Brown.
Now with full seasons under their belts, either as starters or heavy in rotation, players like Ambry Thomas, Cam McGrone, Aidan Hutchinson, Daxton Hill and Brad Hawkins should all be ready to make a big impact. We saw others like Chris Hinton start to come on late.
Not to be forgotten, new voices in the staff — safeties coach Bob Shoop and linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary — should help matters more than hurt. Shoop oversaw the No. 1 defense in the country in 2017 as Mississsippi State’s defensive coordinator, and his fresh eyes could particularly help this Wolverines defense.
Yes, there will be some new full-time starters. But a lot of who will be stepping up and into their new roles has requisite experience. This season very well could be the resurgence of the Michigan defense.