Michigan Football: 5 Things Standing in the Way of a Big Ten Championship

Hiring Jim Harbaugh as head coach is supposed to do a lot of things for the Michigan Wolverines, and snapping an 11-year Big Ten Championship drought has to be on top of his list.

The Wolverines haven’t tasted league supremacy since 2004. Well, not since 2003, really—they shared the 2004 banner with Iowa after winning it outright in 2003.

But at this point, that’s merely splitting hairs for a team that’s struggled to adapt to the rapidly-changing Big Ten. That’s just pointing out the obvious for a team that hasn't been nationally relevant since 2006.

It's been a long time. Let's leave it at that.

However, Harbaugh’s supposed to change ill fortune into grand accomplishments. Eventually, he’ll have the Wolverines in position to reclaim their once-familiar perch. Down the line, Michigan football will be Michigan football under Harbaugh, a program legend and hometown hero dedicated to a multilevel reconstruction.

An immediate turnaround this fall is unlikely, but Harbaugh will certainly set the tone for the rest of his tenure in Ann Arbor.

Hurdles. Challenges. Obstacles.

Right now, they’re each the same thing, and they’re each stacked and scattered about the Wolverines’ path to something greater than finishing 7-5, landing somewhere in the middle of the Big Ten standings, watching Ohio State and Michigan State steamroll opponents, and ultimately accepting an invitation to a trivial bowl game.

This slideshow will outline those stumbling blocks.

Problems Within the Backfield

It’s been nearly a decade since Mike Hart tore through opposing defenses for the Wolverines. From 2004 to 2007, the shifty mini-back posted a school-record 5,040 rushing yards. His 41 rushing touchdowns sit at No. 4 in program history and six behind Tyrone Wheatley, who scored 47 from 1991 to 1994.

Wheatley is also the team's new running backs coach.

The point is this: There is nothing new to talk about in regard to Wolverines running backs. Michigan has a rich history at the position, but the recent classes of ball-carriers haven't lived up to expectations.

A new coaching staff can help spark progress at all positions. For good reason, everyone is fixated on Wheatley’s pedigree and potential to turn around an ailing backfield. The Wolverines haven’t had a 1,000-yard running back since 2011 (Fitzgerald Toussaint). They’ve had a rotation of backs for years but have yet to see returns on Saturdays.

With juniors Derrick Green, De’Veon Smith and Ty Isaac (transfer), the Wolverines should have enough power to get over the hump this fall.

They don’t necessarily have to produce a 1,000-yard rusher, but they’ll certainly have to do better than placing No. 8 in the conference—like they did in 2014—if they hope to truly ascend toward a Big Ten title.

Oftentimes, shortcomings in one area are caused by deficiencies in another. In Michigan’s case, the lack of production from running backs can in part be attributed to a wildly inconsistent offensive line, which is the subject of the next slide.

Unreliable Offensive Lines Have Cost Michigan

As mentioned in the previous slide, the running game’s struggles can be partially placed upon the shoulders of the offensive line, which hasn’t made much—if any—progress during the past four years.

Those nagging issues will continue this fall if the tackles, center and guards don’t learn how to bulldoze in the trenches.

The tune is the same for the O-line as it is for other position groups. Players have potential, yet many fail to deliver. Other than former left tackle Taylor Lewan, right tackle Michael Schofield and center David Molk, Michigan hasn’t had many linemen to boast about recently.

Tim Drevno, the new offensive coordinator and O-line coach, has players such as sophomore left tackle Mason Cole and senior center Graham Glasgow leading this year’s push. They’re All-Big Ten-caliber pieces. No question there.

But Drevno needs more than Glasgow and Cole. This should be the year when underclassmen such as Logan Tuley-Tillman, Juwann Bushell-Beatty and David Dawson get a shot at frequent reps.

Ideally, the changing of the guard should be painless. Sure, there will be some difficulties in adjusting, but for the most part, it should be a quick changeover. That hasn’t been so for the Wolverines, who lack experienced personnel.

The lack of development up front has plagued Michigan.

Improvement on the line wouldn’t necessarily guarantee a Big Ten title, but Michigan has witnessed the results of not improving. It’s a matter of choice. Michigan must devote serious attention to the redevelopment of its offensive line or risk wasting another year’s worth of downs.

Lack of a Dominant Playmaker

It almost seems like eons ago, but it’s only been nearly three years since Denard Robinson opened a season for Michigan.

Electrifying each time he touched the ball, “Shoelace” was capable of scoring at will. His legend began with an impromptu maneuver versus Western Michigan. That scamper set the standard for what ended up being a college career headlined by 10,000-yard all-purpose yards in Ann Arbor.

Prior to being drafted in 2013 by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Robinson scored 42 rushing touchdowns (third-most in team history) and threw for 49 (fourth-most in team history).

He didn’t develop into the ideal quarterback, but he kept Michigan football relevant from 2009 to 2012.

The Wolverines need another player who makes everyone pause, a player who has the potential to change the game with one 50-yard gallop or deep throw down the field. Some thought Devin Gardner, the team’s former quarterback, was such an athlete. He was—just not on game day.

Prior to being selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft, wide receiver Devin Funchess snagged jump balls and made tightrope catches along the sidelines of fields across the Big Ten. He would have been quite valuable this season, but he opted to skip his senior year for the pros.

Replacing his presence—not necessarily his production—is a must. Funchess didn’t wow during his junior year, but he always drew the attention of opposing corners and safeties.

Brian Cole could be the next game-changer, though. The 6’2”, 200-pound early enrollee could see meaningful playing time as a receiver this fall, which is a good thing—the Wolverines need a guy to make things happen after the catch.

Jabrill Peppers, a former 5-star recruit, is finally ready to emerge as a key catalyst in the secondary, where the redshirt freshman's ball-hawking abilities could lead to lengthy interception returns and or even pick-sixes.

Don’t forget about the 6’1”, 205-pounder’s 4.4-second 40-yard speed and field vision—he’ll probably return a couple of punts and/or kicks to the house this season.

The newly crowned quarterback could answer the call.

Harbaugh just needs to find out who will fill that role come September 3. Shane Morris’ wheels could make him a dual threat, although the junior is technically classified as a pro-styler. Wilton Speight’s cannon arm could establish touchdown connections on a regular basis—the redshirt freshman just needs to get healthy. Then there is Iowa senior transfer Jake Rudock, who is expected to arrive this month to Ann Arbor.

Jourdan Lewis, a junior cornerback, could also be a spark plug in the “playmaker” department.

Most teams with realistic title shots have players who force other teams to adjust. Robinson did that. Funchess did that. Who will step forward in 2015?

Meet Mark Dantonio of Michigan State and Urban Meyer of Ohio State

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

As of now, the Big Ten belongs to Michigan State and Ohio State.

Michigan State will be a contender for as long as Mark Dantonio coaches its football program. The same is true for Ohio State and Urban Meyer.

Together, they have a firm grip on the Big Ten—and they’re becoming major national players in a unique three-way rivalry with Michigan.

On top of winning the 2014 Rose Bowl and 2015 Cotton Bowl, the Spartans have won or shared two Big Ten titles since 2010, while the Buckeyes are fresh off a conference and national championship in just Meyer’s third year in Columbus.

They are both 2015 playoff contenders in every shape and form.

Equaling and then ultimately bettering them is Harbaugh’s only hope of winning Michigan’s 43rd Big Ten banner.

Wisconsin probably deserves mention, too. Despite not having as heated a relationship with the Wolverines, the Badgers are big boys who stand in the way of Harbaugh’s Big Ten dreams—they won or shared league titles from 2010 to 2013.

And then there’s Penn State, which is an up-and-coming program under coach James Franklin. Realistically, the Wolverines have to hang with them before they even think of running with the Spartans and Buckeyes.

But due to history, not to mention Harbaugh’s background, the bar must be set at the levels of Michigan State and Ohio State.

Lack of Stability Is a Problem

Michigan football went into a tailspin during the final years (2008-2010) of Bill Martin’s tenure as athletic director. His successor, Dave Brandon, was perhaps the most disliked AD in the history of Wolverines athletics.

The tumultuous times under Brandon only emphasized the downfall of a once-proud program.

In charge as the "interim," Jim Hackett, a business-first AD, seems to have things under control. He should drop the "interim" title and assume the full-time role. With the exception of Harbaugh’s introduction, he’s been out of the limelight. That’s a great thing. Brandon was always under the microscope.

Now Harbaugh, who follows Brady Hoke and Rich Rodriguez, only adds to the foundation in Ann Arbor. He’s building it at the moment, but his presence alone prompts optimism.

Along with Hackett, he’s promoting the idea of a forward-thinking attitude and sort of regal yet blue-collar feeling in regard to the program.

Appreciating the past while maintaining focus on the future is a start, as Michigan has harped on the history books for far too long. Now it’s on to tomorrow and finding a playmaker, snapping horrid losing skids to Michigan State and Ohio State, establishing a run game and encouraging change on the O-line.

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. All recruiting information comes via 247Sports.