Jim Harbaugh set to keep Michigan rolling
It is all the time good to see a plan come collectively. Within the seventh season of the Jim Harbaugh period, the Ann Arbor devoted lastly had its time. Michigan’s magical run in 2021 included a dominating win over Ohio State, a Large Ten Championship and a visit to the Faculty Soccer Playoff. Harbaugh’s recruiting energy lastly paid off on the sector, and his breakthrough 12-2 season marked one among faculty soccer’s greatest tales. Now it is as much as bettors to determine whether or not Michigan can proceed its momentum into 2022.
The flexibility to deal with turnover is what provides the highest packages endurance, and that is the place recruiting goes a lot additional than gamers. Harbaugh misplaced defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald to the NFL, together with Heisman runner-up Aidan Hutchinson, David Ojabo, and Daxton Hill. Jesse Minter comes over from Vanderbilt to name the pictures for an overhauled protection that solely returns 4 starters. Michigan will not have the ability to repeat because the eighth-best scoring protection in faculty soccer, however this yr’s offense ought to guarantee they do not should.
Shedding offensive coordinator Josh Gattis stings, however all the important thing gamers on that facet of the ball are returning. Quarterbacks Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy give the Wolverines two strong choices beneath middle, and they’ll have the luxurious of taking part in behind the third-best offensive line within the nation. As well as, the operating again tandem of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards ensures Michigan will gash defenses on the bottom, and WR Ronnie Bell returns to be the highest goal within the passing sport. So whether or not it is McNamara with one other yr of expertise or McCarthy’s explosive arm, the Michigan passing sport must be way more potent in 2022. That is a scary thought for opposing Large Ten defenses.
The schedule units up good for Michigan
After final yr’s 11-1 common season, the Wolverines’ 9.5-game win total at BetMGM is smart, contemplating the inevitable step again on protection. I do not suppose they are going to be as robust as final yr’s playoff crew, however they could look simply pretty much as good within the standings.
The primary 4 video games are layups, with Colorado State being the one protection within the prime 80 in yards per play allowed final season. That is particularly essential if McCarthy, the higher-ceiling quarterback, wins the job. The primary 4 video games could be confidence builders because the quarterback and new coordinator get on the identical web page. They end the yr at Ohio State, however the different three highway video games (at Iowa, Indiana, and Rutgers) shouldn’t pose an issue. The Wolverines catching Michigan State, Penn State, and Nebraska at residence is a big profit. Even when the Wolverines drop the Penn State sport, they’ve a transparent path to a 10-2 season.
Michigan over 9.5 wins (-125)
Michigan will not be again within the Faculty Soccer Playoff or the Large Ten Championship, however the schedule units up the Wolverines completely to win 10 video games. That is one of the simplest ways to wager the Wolverines within the futures market. Ohio State is in a tier by itself, however I imagine Michigan has a fair wider edge over the opposite groups within the Large Ten than final season. I anticipate Michigan State to take a step again with out Kenneth Walker III, and Penn State is not bodily sufficient upfront to reap the benefits of Michigan’s inexperienced defensive position.
The offense will likely be simply as dominant within the operating sport as final yr, however with extra of an explosive aspect. The high-end potential was sufficient for me to wager the Wolverines over the win complete of 9.5 video games. The favorable out-of-conference and highway schedules make it arduous to seek out the three losses required to stop them from double-digit wins. When you will get downhill behind one of many strongest offensive strains in faculty soccer, it is simpler to place inferior groups away. Michigan must be favored of their first 11 video games, and it is a strong wager Harbaugh handles enterprise in not less than 10 of them.
*Stats offered by cfbstats.com and Athlon sports activities.
