Big Ten Football: 2016 season preview and predictions

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes shakes hands with head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines after a 42-13 Ohio State win at Michigan Stadium on November 28, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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ANN ARBOR, MI – APRIL 01: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines listens in on a huddle during the Michigan Football Spring Game on April 1, 2016 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Michigan wins the Big Ten

While hiring Jim Harbaugh was a move that was universally praised, few expected him to improve the team so soon. His first recruiting class was average at best, and the college game is extremely different from the NFL. Nevertheless, he adjusted to the game very quickly, and improved his team’s record by four wins plus a Citrus Bowl. And his 6-2 conference record should’ve been 7-1.

With a top five recruiting class, and a full season under his belt, it’s hard to bet against Michigan improving again this year. Sure, they have question marks on offense, and their quarterback won’t be much better than Jake Rudock, who was average at best last season. But Harbaugh’s teams are built on defense, and that unit was what led them to success last year. Few will forget that stretch where they pitched three shutouts in a row, and scoring against them felt like an impossible task.

Jabrill Peppers and Jourdan Lewis are the heart of the Wolverines’ defense, and that was what Harbaugh focused on most in recruiting. Landing Rashan Gary was a tremendous coup by Harbaugh, and he can easily become the biggest impact freshman in the Big Ten. Their defense has the potential to be the most fearsome unit in all of college football.

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Others may hate that he climbs trees to sign kickers, or his attitude, but he’s a great coach, and will look to prove that he’s worth paying a $7 million salary. In his mind, he’s already beaten Michigan State, so their goal will be to try and beat Ohio State. If they can do that, they should get to the Big Ten Championship Game.

If Iowa comes out of the West, they will have a tough time overcoming Michigan. But hopefully for them, the Big Three will have beaten each other up on the way to the championship game and Michigan will overlook their opponent. Iowa nearly sprung an upset over Michigan State, and could push Michigan in the same vein, but in the end, their talent will be too much to overcome. Plus a regular season meeting would ensure Michigan doesn’t overlook Iowa.

Managing the other teams in the College Football Playoff will be a tall order, and probably an unsuccessful one, but a conference championship in Harbaugh’s second year would give him a lot of confidence heading into the field.