Jim Harbaugh's Biggest Challenges for Michigan in 2016

Jim Harbaugh has championship aspirations for the 2016 Michigan football team, and outside expectations are the same.

While that specifically is the greatest challenge, "win" is vague. What must the Wolverines do to win?

In order to meet the lofty goals, they need to improve in a few areas to prepare for a brutal late-season stretch. Coaching will have an especially large impact on three items.

Most of all, though, the proven strength of Michigan's team cannot regress. Otherwise, the Wolverines won't meet the aspirations and expectations.

Create More Turnovers

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The Wolverines only lost 16 turnovers in 2015. Even better, they committed just seven during the last eight games.

Yet for the season, Michigan mustered just 12 takeaways—which tied for the third fewest nationally. The minus-four margin was barely a top-100 mark out of 128 teams.

Although complaints about a 10-3 record were rare, consider that Harbaugh's club tallied 4.9 points off turnovers and surrendered a meager 1.4. For every two takeaways, the Wolverines outscored their opponents by a touchdown.

The defense was spectacular at minimizing damage last year, but it needs to create more in 2016.

Repeat the Quarterback Development

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Jake Rudock's progression from Game 1 to Game 13 was obvious and amazing. Harbaugh and passing game coordinator Jedd Fisch turned Rudock from an Iowa castaway into a sixth-round draft pick.

Time to do it again.

John O'Korn and Wilton Speight are battling for the No. 1 job. Now, they have an advantage Rudock was not afforded, since both O'Korn and Speight know Harbaugh's system and participated in spring practice. Rudock arrived during the summer of 2015.

No matter which quarterback wins the competition, however, he's not a finished product. Harbaugh and Fisch will mentor the No. 1 while offensive coordinator Tim Drevno tailors what could be a limited playbook, at least initially.

If history is any indication, that won't be a problem. But it's easier said from a keyboard than done on the sideline.

Greater Success Running the Ball

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The trademark of a finished Harbaugh offense is controlling the ball and clock with a steady rushing attack. Despite the staff's greatest effort, that didn't happen during the regular season.

Michigan's 41-7 stomping of Florida in the 2016 Citrus Bowl provided hope for the future because four starters return from that unit. Still, the past is ugly.

According to Football Outsiders, the Wolverines mustered just 2.75 yards per standard-down carry and ranked 107th nationally in opportunity rate.

Early-down success leads to shorter conversions, which relieves pressure on an inexperienced quarterback, which provides more snaps, which helps development.

Football is one massive puzzle, but it all starts with running the ball effectively and efficiently.

Showcase the Top Defense Expected

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With or without takeaways, the Michigan defense needs to carry the team. That's a big responsibility, but the unit did exactly that in 2015, finishing fourth and sixth in total and scoring defense.

The Wolverines lost a few notable pieces, but they bring back Jourdan Lewis—one of the nation's top cornerbacks—as well as Jabrill Peppers and Chris Wormley, a pair of potential first-round draft picks.

Few programs have a better defensive line or secondary. Peppers' move to linebacker boosts what could have been a thin group. New coordinator Don Brown will attack more than D.J. Durkin.

Both the talent and coaching are in place. It's a matter of consistently dominating on Saturdays.

Yeah, we only expect utter domination every week. Now that's pressure.

Overcome Three Late Road Tests

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The three toughest projected games of the 2016 campaign—Michigan State, Iowa and Ohio State—are each away from Michigan Stadium and happen during the final five regular-season weeks.

One loss complicates the Wolverines' pursuit of a national title. Two losses may eliminate them from Big Ten contention.

But Michigan has the potential to become the definition of a dangerous road team that controls the clock running the ball and routinely forces a couple of turnovers on defense.

Doing it three times in five weeks, however, is the biggest challenge.

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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.