What are the key questions you want to see answered on the field by this team?

Submitted by Moleskyn on August 22nd, 2019 at 10:33 AM

Brian's reference to his upcoming 5Q5A post got me thinking about the key questions I want to see answered by the team this Fall. This team has big time potential, but there are a few things that will determine the success of the season. My focus is on questions that we won't know the answers to until we see the team play for real. My questions are below, I'm curious to see what everyone else thinks as well.

  1. How real is the offensive transition? There has been a lot of talk about "speed in space", going more up-tempo, and being more pass-oriented. Is this going to be a radically different offense from what we've seen in the past few years, or is the hype just talk and the offense will be largely the same, but with some different wrinkles?
  2. How good is Vincent Gray? JT Turner? And how far behind is Ambry? Based on recent reports and the information we've learned about Ambry's health, the CB position is the most concerning position group on this team. Outside of Hill, there are major question marks and unproven depth.
  3. How good is Dax Hill? Long-term expectations for him are still through the roof, but can he come in and make an impact now? If he can, that may help mitigate the lack of depth at the corner position.
  4. How real is the Jeter hype? How healthy is Dwumfour? After CB, the interior d-line is the next most concerning position group in my mind. The long-term potential is there, with Smith and Hinton looking promising. But the group this year could struggle, especially if Dwumfour is limited or out.
  5. How good are the linebackers? We've heard a lot of talk about how much they are competing and how deep they are, but how good are they? There is no Bush, and Ross seems promising. But Gil was meh last year, and the others (McGrone, Anthony, Glasgow) are unproven in competitive scenarios.

That's a lot of questions focused on the defense for me. The idealistic version of myself trusts Don Brown and his ability to elevate the guys who need development. There may be some positive surprises.

But the pessimistic version of myself, who has lived through the last 10 years of dong-punches and knows BPONE well, expects gaps and a step back from the defenses we've enjoyed the last two years.

There is a lot of optimism for the offense though. To me, the biggest reasons there are a talented and experienced QB, and an equally talented and experienced offensive line. Those two factors can mitigate a lot of other deficiencies in any offense.

Mr Miggle

August 22nd, 2019 at 11:30 AM ^

Top ranked QB recruits in the last 15 years according to 247:

1. Trevor Lawrence

2. Justin Fields

3. Terrelle Pryor

Whether Fields plays up to his potential or he still looks young and inexperienced in his 24th game is a big factor. If the latter and Michigan still can't win, that's a bad sign for the future. If the former, OSU is going to be very tough again this season.  

Mr Miggle

August 22nd, 2019 at 11:53 AM ^

I don't know where you came up with those names. If you want to go back 20 years you can add Vince Young and Brock Berlin.

Here's who 247 lists: https://247sports.com/Sport/Football/AllTimeRecruitRankings/

4. Matt Barkley

5. Jimmy Clausen 

6. Mark Sanchez

No real misses up that high, but plenty among other highly ranked QB recruits. Which side Fields lands on is largely out of Michigan's control.

 

BroadneckBlue21

August 22nd, 2019 at 12:04 PM ^

Shea is 12th on that list. Interestingly, TTB believes Shea is nowhere near as good as Tua, in Magnus’s write up for how well DPJ’s numbers will be this year. Instead of worrying about Fields, I prefer Shea, our WRs, our OL and the D live up to their hype—and that they all have their best game every game forward. 

Bo Harbaugh

August 22nd, 2019 at 11:36 AM ^

And we have a winner.  This is all that matters.  Harbaugh has done everything expected in his first 4 years at UM EXCEPT beat OSU.  We are good again, we are solid and respected again...we are NOT elite.

2016 and 2018 were good but not playoff seasons because...couldn't beat OSU. Sure, Iowa and Notre Dame..., but if we can't beat OSU, we aren't beating Clemson, Bama, Georgia anyways.

Become elite, beat OSU, and start building towards a perennial contender, the same way Dabo has done with Clemson.

Jimmyisgod

August 22nd, 2019 at 10:36 AM ^

My questions are related to depth.  Who are the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th corners.  Who are the 3rd, 4th, and 5th DTs.  Will a RB step up and be a capable feature guy?  Will the DEs be able to not take too big a step back without Chase and Rashan?

Also, will the WRs be healthy?

Mr Miggle

August 22nd, 2019 at 12:35 PM ^

He has.

Zordich said in the spring that Kelly-Powell was practicing at corner. Harbaugh mentioned him there when he spoke about Ambry Thomas' condition. Sam Webb has talked about him at corner and nickelback.  He's listed as the 3rd CB on every depth chart prediction I've seen lately. 

Show-Me-Blue

August 22nd, 2019 at 10:54 AM ^

Agree! A quick passing attack and RPOs can help mitigate some concerns, but Michigan's tackles will face a very solid list of defensive ends in the Big Ten, and eventually, Patterson will need some time to deliver the ball on some key third downs. Here's hoping Mayfield (maybe Stueber later on) and Runyan can hold up. I'm enthusiastic about the interior O Line.

Moleskyn

August 22nd, 2019 at 2:22 PM ^

Here's the scenario: 

  1. OSU kicks off. Touchback.
  2. 1st and 10 from UM 25: offensive holding.
  3. 1st and 25 from UM 15: offensive holding again.
  4. 1st and 35 from UM 5: Shea takes the snap, scrambles, launches the ball from the goal line...DPJ catches it at the OSU goal line for the touchdown.

100 yard TD pass.

mitchewr

August 22nd, 2019 at 11:10 AM ^

What I can tell you is that Popeye's Cajun Chicken is not worth it at all. Literally zero Cajun flavor and just pure "hot".

What you need is some Bojangles'! Best fried chicken and biscuits I've had from a fast food joint and hands down the best Cajun Chicken I've ever had. Too bad the closest one is Kentucky though :/