After looking through the updated Big Ten only schedule for this season, there appears to only be one real test for the Wisconsin Badgers this year, the Michigan Wolverines. Michigan was not the powerhouse that it has tried to be last season because injuries, as well as a lack of depth at key positions, caused the Wolverines to finish the season at a mediocre 6-3.
With an entire offseason to get healthy on both sides of the ball, Michigan can return to pushing for the number one spot in the Big Ten East behind perennial powerhouse Ohio State. This season, the Wolverines will be returning Dylan McCaffrey from injury to be the future of this team that has been talked about since his commitment. McCaffrey is an excellent dual-threat quarterback, that with the right weapons, could be one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten this season behind Tanner Morgan and Justin Fields.
Luckily, McCaffrey will have Ronnie Bell returning this season as well. Last year, Bell had a solid season filling in for the injured Donovan Peoples-Jones and Tarik Black, despite the insecurity at the quarterback position over the course of the season. He earned 758 yards and one touchdown with an outstanding average of 15.9 yards per catch in 2019. Bell can be a threat downfield and in the return game this season against Wisconsin.
Only three power-five WRs moved the chains on every 3rd-down catch last season:
➤ Jauan Jennings, Tennessee
➤ Ronnie Bell, Michigan
➤ R.J. Sneed, Baylor pic.twitter.com/MoTSDpbI8F— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 21, 2020
On the defensive side of the ball, Michigan will also be returning two of the top defensive lineman in the Big Ten in Aiden Hutchinson and Kwity Paye. These two are also ranked highly nationally and could provide matchup problems for the inexperienced Wisconsin offensive line this season. Another player returning for Michigan is defensive back Ambry Thomas, who is a favorite by many to be First-Team All-Big Ten this season. Thomas had a great year last year with 30 solo tackles, two fumble recoveries, three interceptions, and three pass deflections and will likely continue to improve in his senior season.
Real me♠️ pic.twitter.com/URzUo7oiA2
— Ambry Thomas (@Tavonn_) January 25, 2020
Michigan is losing a lot of talent at wide receiver this season because of the transfer of Tarik Black to Texas and the loss of Donovan Peoples-Jones to the NFL, but the return of much of this team from injury will make Michigan the biggest threat to Wisconsin next year. The Wolverines have a stout defense with a scheme that has shut down the running attack of the Badgers in the past, and if Dylan McCaffrey can efficiently lead the offense with Ronnie Bell and Zach Charbonnet, this team could give Wisconsin a run for its money at “The Big House” in September.