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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Though Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh evaded answering whether or not quarterback Joe Milton had won the starting job, posturing by saying ‘Joe’s been running with the ones,’ he wasn’t so mum about what’s going on with the offensive line.
With the Big Ten 2020 season opener coming up on Saturday at Minnesota, Harbaugh eagerly listed six players who have been contending for five starting roles, while denoting precisely who will be playing where.
“Feel very good,” Harbaugh said. “Big, a lot of length and really good athleticism. The two tackles are both experienced guys – Ryan Hayes and Jalen Mayfield. Karsen Barnhart, also consider him a starter as well. Inside, Chuck Filiaga has really made a lot of strides. He’s playing extremely well. He’ll be in there for us at guard along with Andrew Stueber – who had an ACL last year in camp, but did a great job rehabbing. He’s back healthy and been very good and consistent. Andrew Vastardis is the starting center. We’re excited with our offensive line.
“Them jelling, coming together has been a good process. Excited to see them let it rip, too.”
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That said, clearly one of three of the listed tackles between Hayes, Mayfield and Barnhart won’t actually be in the starting five — with chances that Barnhart is the odd-man out. He got added experience this fall with Mayfield having initially opting out before reversing course a month later when the Big Ten announced it was having a fall season after all. Perhaps the Wolverines would use Barnhart as an extra blocker in certain rushing sets, as the New England Patriots have with former Michigan RG Michael Onwenu early this season.
Nonetheless, despite only having one nominal starter from 2019 returning, Michigan is poised to have a solid group up front with the 2020 season opener on the horizon. In order to keep Joe Milton upright and create running lanes for the Wolverines deep group of backs, it’s imperative that the O-line comes together sooner than later once actually facing opponents wearing different colored jerseys Saturday and beyond.
WolverinesWire projected offensive line starters:
Left tackle: Ryan Hayes
Left guard: Chuck Filiaga
Center: Andrew Vastardis
Right guard: Andrew Stueber
Right tackle: Jalen Mayfield
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