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So, the 2019 college football season isn’t completely over as of yet — with the National Championship game between LSU and Clemson still pending — but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start looking ahead to 2020.
Michigan finished a disappointing 9-4 in 2019, and despite a lot of the turnover going into next year, there’s certainly some reasons for optimism heading into 2020. While Donovan Peoples-Jones, Shea Patterson, Sean McKeon and the bulk of the offensive line will be gone next season, Nico Collins, Nick Eubanks and the majority of the running backs return, and it will be the second year of the new offense under Josh Gattis. Likewise, the defense loses some key pieces — Lavert Hill, Khaleke Hudson and Josh Metellus are graduating and Josh Uche is leaving early — but the starting defensive ends return, Cam McGrone and Ambry Thomas continue to ascend, and there are high expectations for second-year players such as Daxton Hill and Chris Hinton.
But, despite there being evidence of a reload, and if anything, Michigan should be better, not worse, in 2020, the Wolverines still have a big problem: Ohio State.
The team hasn’t beaten the Buckeyes since 2011, and hasn’t won the conference since 2004. Thus, the maize and blue come in the middle of the pack when it comes to the way-too-early Sporting News Top 25, ringing in the new year at an expectant No. 15.
15. Michigan
It’s the same old story in Ann Arbor for sixth-year coach Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines return a talented roster, and the quarterback battle between Dylan McCaffrey and Joe Milton will be the focus of the spring. Nico Collins’ return was huge, and the offensive line has improved. Daxton Hill is a breakout player in the secondary, but the question remains: When will this team break through against Ohio State and win a Big Ten championship? September tests at Washington and at home against Wisconsin won’t be easy.
If Sporting News is right, however, the 2020 season will continue to be punishing.
According to the too early Top 25, Michigan would have road games at No. 2 Ohio State and No. 12 Minnesota while facing No. 9 Penn State and No. 14 Wisconsin at home.
So if the Wolverines can get over the hump, it’ll do so by taking down some top teams as well as winning on the road at Washington and at MSU.