Michigan Football: 5 Reasons Why the Wolverines Should Be Optimistic About 2016
Jim Harbaugh's second season leading the Michigan football program will include an undefeated regular season, Big Ten championship and ultimately a national title.
Well, that's what the eternal optimist says.
After listening to analysts objectively critique your team for months, this is the moment to throw on the homer hat and allow the bias to shine. This is why the Wolverines are bound for a magical—or at least conference-championship-worthy—2016.
This list, which is ordered based on perceived value, is meant to show why next year's best-case scenario could come to fruition for a rising Michigan team.
5. Don Brown Did a Lot with Less
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For most of the season, Michigan and Boston College battled for the No. 1 ranking in a handful of defensive categories. Once D.J. Durkin left for Maryland, the Wolverines took BC's coordinator.
Don Brown will bring his aggressive and multiple style to Ann Arbor, where the roster has more individual talent than what he had in Chestnut Hill.
That's not a dig at Boston College. Truly, it's a compliment to Brown's knowledge and skill on the headset. The Eagles excelled with above-average players, and Michigan's defenders are as good or better.
The strength of the 2015 Wolverines was the defense, and coaching played a significant role in it. Brown isn't the same coach as Durkin, but the new coordinator certainly isn't a downgrade.
4. Likely to Avoid Nonconference, Insane Losses
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During the 2015 season opener, Jake Rudock looked lost with his new teammates. He tossed three interceptions, one of which was a telegraphed, game-winning pick-six.
As the final seconds ticked off the clock on what looked to be Michigan's first victory over Michigan State since 2012 and only its second win since 2007, the ball slipped out of Blake O'Neill's hands. The Spartans grabbed the ball and raced to the end zone.
The what-if scenarios for the Wolverines were wild. What if Rudock hit Jehu Chesson for a long touchdown early or led a game-tying drive and later won in overtime? What if O'Neill actually punted the ball? Michigan could've ended 11-1 and reached a New Year's Six bowl game.
Although the offense must break in a new quarterback next year, the Wolverines open the season with Hawaii, UCF and Colorado, which posted a combined 7-31 record in 2015. And heading into the offseason, Michigan figures to have higher expectations than MSU.
On paper, Harbaugh and Co. are likely to avoid both a nonconference and an unfathomable loss in 2016.
3. B1G Change
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Christian Hackenberg is no longer under center for Penn State. Joey Bosa, eight fellow Ohio State underclassmen and a handful of senior starters are headed to the NFL. Connor Cook and other Michigan State stalwarts are gone.
Michigan's three top competitors in the Big Ten East must replace a collection of multiyear starters. While the program's two biggest rivals should be OK, Penn State is in serious trouble.
Ohio State and Michigan State will locate and address their respective weaknesses quickly, but the early-season slip-up game remains a possibility. Each of the East's "Big Three" programs play Wisconsin by Oct. 15.
In 2015, the only conference loss from the trio outside of each other was MSU at Nebraska (and on a potentially blown call). Considering the roster turnover, that should change in 2016.
Michigan could be the team that capitalizes the most.
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2. Returning Talent
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Every roster deals with some change. The 2016 team will not have Rudock, Graham Glasgow, Mario Ojemudia, Joe Bolden, Desmond Morgan, James Ross III, Jarrod Wilson and O'Neill.
That's it.
Michigan has a pair of second-team All-Americans returning in Jake Butt and Jourdan Lewis. Jehu Chesson, Amara Darboh, Ryan Glasgow, Jabrill Peppers and Kenny Allen are back. Four starters on the offensive line and nearly every D-line contributor have another season of eligibility.
Now the Wolverines must settle on a quarterback and a couple of linebackers. Though each departure is replaceable, Big Ten football isn't necessarily a plug-a-play operation for career backups or incoming freshmen.
But if Harbaugh and Jedd Fisch develop a quarterback like they did Rudock and the collective prowess of the defensive line and secondary hide some of the weaknesses at linebacker, Michigan will be among the nation's best teams.
1. Jim Harbaugh
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Entering the 2015 campaign, the majority of predictions for Michigan was a 7-5 record during the regular season followed by a victory in the bowl game. Well, the Wolverines accomplished that and more.
"He's reset all expectations and changed the clock on us without us knowing," Bleacher Report's Adam Kramer said of Harbaugh in early October.
The unexpected 10-win finish was nothing short of remarkable.
Ex-Michigan coach Brady Hoke didn't leave the proverbial cupboard bare. The 2015 roster had plenty of talent. However, Harbaugh took the players from mediocrity to a mere step shy of the nation's elite.
Since Harbaugh managed that during his first season in Ann Arbor, Year No. 2, with a slew of returning starters, may bring championship results to the program much faster than anticipated.
All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from CFBStats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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