Bold Predictions for Michigan's 2016 College Football Season
Michigan football has championship dreams in 2016, and the Wolverines will reach a handful of team and national milestones while chasing those aspirations.
We're trying to predict some of the significant—and lofty—achievements along the way.
First, the ground rules: Each prediction must be difficult yet realistic and attainable. Saying Jourdan Lewis will snatch 15 interceptions is undoubtedly bold, but it's also pretty foolish. And while projecting 500 yards for three pass-catchers is realistic, that's not bold.
The list is ordered simply by unit: offense first, defense second, then the team as a whole.
30 Catches for Grant Perry
1 of 5
Last year, Amara Darboh, Jake Butt and Jehu Chesson each caught at least 50 passes. Part of that was because they formed an excellent trio, but the other portion was due to Michigan's lack of other reliable options.
According to Nick Baumgardner of MLive, pass-game coordinator Jedd Fisch said Grant Perry has emerged as the No. 3 wideout. That development isn't a big surprise after seeing his rhythm with Wilton Speight during the spring game.
Perry had 14 receptions last season, but he tallied eight of them in the season opener and finale. Otherwise, Perry mostly stuck out as a blocker on screens.
The Wolverines would prefer to ride two receivers, one tight end, one fullback and one running back, so playing time is already limited. Having Moe Ways, Drake Harris and others pushing for snaps should only increase the difficulty.
But Perry will get it done.
Top-40 Rushing Offense
2 of 5
One expected storyline for Michigan's offseason was "the offensive line is much better!" Nowadays, everyone says that. However, considering the returning experience and coaching, we'll bite.
"It's been improving," Jim Harbaugh said, per Jacob Gase of the Michigan Daily. "It's a great group to work with because it's a group that's older and has played together for a long time, played together in a lot of games. And then there's another group that's real young and showed that they have what it takes."
The unit showed clear progression during the 2015 regular season against inferior teams but buckled opposite stout front sevens. Then in the Citrus Bowl, the Wolverines torched a formidable Florida defense, providing optimism for 2016.
Michigan finished 2015 with the nation's No. 84 rushing offense, but it'll post a top-40 mark this year.
15 TFLs for Jabrill Peppers
3 of 5
By now, you probably know Jabrill Peppers will contribute at outside "Sam" linebacker, which means he'll be more active in run support near the line of scrimmage.
Defensive coordinator Don Brown has a history of utilizing this weapon for major production.
Matt Milano—a 6'1", 221-pounder—played Sam for Brown at Boston College last season and notched 17.5 tackles for loss. Sio Moore twice eclipsed 15 when Brown coached Connecticut.
Peppers is simply perfect for this role because of his versatile skill set, and the numbers will only provide more evidence.
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No. 1 Defense
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The Wolverines can't stop anyone from praising the outlook of the defense, but the unit isn't giving a reason to stop.
Tom Dienhart of the Big Ten Network said Michigan's line is as good as advertised. Peppers shores up a new linebacking corps. Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports rated the secondary No. 4 in the country. Brown is a defensive genius who gets to utilize these pieces.
Plus, the schedule isn't daunting. The Wolverines certainly face a few tough opponents—Michigan State, Iowa and Ohio State—but they don't need to contain any offensive juggernauts. Besides, the games against MSU and Iowa might be low-scoring punt-fests anyway.
Between Michigan's talent level and the likelihood of low-scoring games, the defense is bound for a top national ranking. If the Wolverines avoid serious injuries, they're capable of being the best.
11-0 Entering "The Game"
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"Don't believe the hype," a Big Ten coach told ESPN's Adam Rittenberg. The Nov. 26 showdown at Ohio State should determine whether or not Michigan proves the anonymous man wrong.
And the Wolverines will enter what could be a winner-take-all—the East Division—clash undefeated.
Michigan hosts Hawaii, UCF and Colorado in nonconference play; win, win, win. Penn State and Wisconsin head to Ann Arbor; tight games, but two victories. The Wolverines travel to face rival Rutgers before hosting Illinois; make it 7-0.
Over the next four weeks, Michigan will take on Michigan State and Iowa—the defending East and West champions—as well as Maryland and Indiana. That's a common place to see a projected loss, but the Wolverines will survive that stretch.
Depending on Ohio State's results against Oklahoma and MSU, both programs could enter the regular-season finale unblemished. That last happened exactly one decade ago.
The Buckeyes earned the victory in 2006. Michigan will attempt to redeem itself this year.
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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