Michigan Football: 5 Reasons to Be Optimistic About the Wolverines' 2015 Season

Jim Harbaugh is the reason for the season at Michigan, so it’s probably unnecessary to tab him as one of the five reasons why Wolverines fans should be optimistic this fall.

His presence trumps all.

So with that said, this slideshow will feature the other top five reasons to expect something much more than what’s been offered during the previous three years—much, much more, actually.

While wins typically are the best measure of progress, they’re not the end-all metric. For roughly a decade, Michigan football has been devoid of a certain something, something that only a coach of Harbaugh’s ilk can provide.

With that influence in place, Michigan can finally take the steps necessary to dust itself off and reclaim its place within the world of college football.

That rebirth can happen. Oh, it’s very possible—and here are the five reasons why dreams could become reality for the Wolverines starting Sept. 3 at Utah.

5. Favorable Schedule

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Jim Harbaugh's Wolverines start the year at Utah. Talk about an early gut-check.

This topic has been debated in past comments sections, but Utah is and will be Michigan’s “toughest” game of the year. Starting the season on the road Sept. 3 versus the Utes, who embarrassed the Wolverines 26-10 in The Big House this past fall, will be a true test of will.

It’ll serve as a benchmark for Harbaugh, too. He’s probably looking forward to his first game and to catching a glimpse of his team’s mental and physical makeup. The first game won’t say everything, but it’ll provide a baseline.

The next Saturday, the Wolverines host Oregon State, which has been a top-half team in the Pac-12 since 2006. With new coach Gary Andersen on the sidelines, the Beavers could be primed for resurgence. Despite it recently being done by a few teams, and perhaps seeming a bit easier these days, knocking off Michigan in Ann Arbor, regardless of circumstances, is still a difficult goal to accomplish.

A possible assist for the win column, Michigan also hosts Northwestern and BYU. UNLV also travels to Ann Arbor...and it'll be led by first-year coach Tony Sanchez, who was at Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas in 2014. 

Don't count them yet, but three wins wouldn't be impossible to achieve for Harbaugh. 

As of now, playing Penn State on Nov. 21 appears to be the biggest road test. Harbaugh will get Michigan State and Ohio State in his own backyard, which could help the Wolverines snap losing streaks to their biggest rivals.

The Spartans have won six of the past eight. Ohio State has three series losses since 2000.

A 10-win season seems a bit unrealistic, even for a coach such as Harbaugh—even he needs a year or two to get his bearings. This year, though, could easily be an eight-win debut for the new coaching staff. That'd be a vast improvement upon 5-7.

4. Joe Bolden, Joe Backbone

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Joe Bolden should be a pillar of Michigan's defense in 2015.

With at least 12 tackles, Bolden was among the most impressive players on either side during this past Saturday’s spring game. Now entering his senior year, the versatile inside-outside linebacker stands to be the backbone of his position group this season.

In 2014, Bolden was credited for five quarterback hurries, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles. He also returns a team-high 102 tackles.

Those numbers prompt optimism for one of the Wolverines’ most dedicated, detail-oriented players.

This past spring, Bolden made it clear that he got “it.” Michigan has cultivated a top-15 defense for the past two years, but it’s been on a rapid ascent since 2011, the year Greg Mattison took over as defensive coordinator.

Today, Mattison’s coaching the D-line. D.J. Durkin, formerly of Florida, is at Mattison’s old perch. Together, Bolden said, they make up the best duet in the country.

With a clear connection to his coaches, Bolden will likely serve as the bridge between the staff and players. Jake Ryan’s gone, leaving an important position vacant. But that position isn’t outside or inside the formation, it’s deeper than that. It’s an authoritative position, someone who keeps the locker room in check.

Go ahead and predict a big year for a guy who could end up being the ideal complement to Michigan’s growing giant of a defense.

3. Jake Rudock to the Rescue?

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

Whether by starting or pushing others, Jake Rudock will up Michigan's QB play this fall.

The need for a quarterback has been a lingering storyline in Ann Arbor for three years. Rudock, a senior transfer from Iowa, could be the perfect one-year fix until the Wolverines are able to develop understudies.

With 25 starts in the Big Ten, Rudock brings experience. He’s not fancy. He brings experience, though. He’s not the best athlete in the country, nor is he the best in the conference. He brings experience, though.

Shane Morris, a junior, has two starts and 10 game appearances. And until Rudock arrives this summer, he’ll continue to be Michigan’s “veteran.” Morris looked decent during the spring game; he’ll probably give Rudock a run in camp.

Zach Gentry, a 4-star prospect, arrives later this summer. He'll lock horns with redshirt freshman Wilton Speight and true freshman Alex Malzone. Everyone's trying to get a piece of the action. 

However, Rudock should be viewed as the favorite. He’s not transferring to Michigan to carry a clipboard and give signals from the sidelines. It’d be hard to believe that Harbaugh recruited Rudock for anything but a guaranteed starting role.

Having a seasoned vet bridge the gap is ideal for Michigan and prompts plenty of the feel-goods.

2. Greg Mattison's D-Line

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Greg Mattison enters his fourth year at Michigan, where he's helped build a juggernaut defense.

As mentioned in the Bolden slide, Mattison has moved on to the role of D-line coach at Michigan. With roughly five decades of defensive coaching experience, he is one of the country’s most knowledgeable teachers of technique and attitude.

Other than landing Harbaugh, the retention of Mattison was the smartest “hire” of the offseason.

Pair Mattison’s coaching with a defensive line composed of behemoth talent and, well, that’s a recipe for something groundbreaking in 2015. D.J. Durkin and Mattison—not to mention secondary coaches Greg Jackson and Michael Zordich—will undoubtedly have the defense prepared to build upon the previous two years of dominance.

Yes, dominance.

In 2014, the Wolverines allowed 3.21 yards per carry and 13 rushing touchdowns. Despite a struggling offense, it was plain to see their defense was capable of reaching elite status and carrying the team this fall.

After the spring game, tackle Chris Wormley said defensive players “hang their hats” on their potential. It’s easy to see why.

Expect Willie Henry, Bryan Mone, Taco Charlton, Lawrence Marshall (LB/DE) and Wormley, among others, to elevate an already aggressive approach. With exception to Marshall, who's just now stepping forward, that group has been mentioned the most by Mattison since summer 2014.

This upcoming fall could be a banner year for Mattison's line. Projecting success based on defense makes a lot of sense, especially given who the Wolverines have up front.

1. The Year of Jabrill Peppers

Everyone is aware of the road Peppers has traveled, so there’s no sense in rehashing old news. He’s healthy, he looked good during the spring game, and he’s on pace to make an incredible impact on the Wolverines secondary this fall.

At 6’1” and 210 pounds, Peppers—or “Breezy” or “Pep”—is the unquestioned wild card for Harbaugh. That’s “wild card” in a great way.

During spring availability, Peppers, who's been tabbed as a safety, was time and time again praised by Harbaugh’s staff. It’s not really a question of “what?” with Peppers, it’s one of “just how much?” He’s going to produce, whether it’s picking off quarterbacks as a defender or embarrassing punters and/or kickers as a return man.

However, Peppers will probably earn most of his keep while roving the field as a safety, a position that, according to Michael Zordich and Greg Jackson, fully complements his speed, agility, hands and power.

Highlights and Peppers could become synonymous this fall.

And because of that, his potential alone is enough to make Wolverines fans jump for joy. 

The former 5-star recruit has grown, packed on muscle and has a year of campus life on his resume. Physically restored and perhaps even more mentally prepared, Peppers stands to electrify an already beastly defense.

Follow Bleacher Report’s Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and references were obtained firsthand by the writer via press conference, press release or other media availability. Recruiting information comes by way of 247Sports.