‘Think Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes’ – Joe Milton center of FOX Sports’ Michigan preview

Where Reggie Bush appears to have more questions about Michigan football in 2020, Matt Leinart compares Joe Milton to some elite NFL QBs.

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We’re one week away from the Big Ten opening up its 2020 season, and when it comes to Michigan, the FOX Sports Big Noon Kickoff crew appears to be on different sides when it comes to what the Wolverines are capable of.

Yes, the maize and blue have a daunting schedule, which begins Saturday with Michigan opening the season up at Minnesota, while having Wisconsin as the other divisional crossover. Naturally, Ohio State and Penn State are still on the schedule. But when it comes to looking at the Big Ten East, former USC star Reggie Bush doesn’t really know what to think of the Wolverines.

“I think the biggest question mark for me that I want to start out with is Michigan,” Bush said. “Are they gonna be better this year? Because when I look at the schedule that they have in front of them, it’s a very tough schedule. They start off at Minnesota, they got Penn State at home, they got Wisconsin at home. And then they end at Ohio State.

“Here’s the issue: they only play in eight games. That’s four potential losses right there. Jim Harbaugh is also going into the (penultimate) year of his contract — that could affect recruiting. So the question for me is: is Michigan going to be better this year?”

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Where Bush appears to be bearish on Michigan, his former USC and current FOX Sports teammate Matt Leinart thinks that the Wolverines have the potential to thrive — all because of who will be under center, with Joe Milton the presumed starter at quarterback.

In describing Milton, he makes some lofty comparisons, going even further than former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer did the day of the Big Ten schedule reveal.

“All eyes are going to be on the quarterback Joe Milton who takes over,” Leinart said. “This has really been the position, guys, that they’ve missed on over the years. Because I thought Shea Patterson was a good player for them, but Joe Milton gives them a skillset they have not seen before at this position. He’s 6-foot-6, 240. Coach (Urban Meyer) says he reminds him a little of Cam Newton with the way he looks and the way he moves. And then he’s got an absolute cannon: think Josh Allen, think Patrick Mahomes. He can throw the ball 70-75 yards downfield. They haven’t had a quarterback that can stretch the field.”

That said, Leinart isn’t fully buying in, considering that Milton has yet to show what he can do in a starting role.

However, with consistency at the offensive coordinator position and athleticism across the wide receiving corps, Leinart sees a path for Michigan to take a step forward in 2020.

“He’s unknown,” Leinart admits. “There’s a lot of questions — is he that guy? Josh Gattis in his second-year calling plays, there’s some playmakers around him. Can he elevate that football team and maybe compete for a Big Ten Championship?”

Confident, not confident, skeptical: Michigan at Minnesota

Watch the entire segment below: