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College Football Rankings 2018: Alabama, Clemson top way-too-early Top 25

By Nicholas Ian Allen

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Damien Harris (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Damien Harris (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WI – NOVEMBER 18: Devin Bush (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI – NOVEMBER 18: Devin Bush (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Michigan finished a disappointing 8-5 overall and 5-4 in Big Ten play last season. The Wolverines lost to both Michigan State and Ohio State (bringing Jim Harbaugh’s record to an ugly 1-5 in his three seasons at the helm) and finished fourth in the Big Ten East – just ahead of Rutgers – after back-to-back losses to Wisconsin and the Buckeyes to close the regular season.

A 26-19 loss to South Carolina in the Outback Bowl, in which the Wolverines surrendered 23 unanswered points in the second half, sent the team into the offseason searching for answers.

Strengths:

The defense has been the strength of Harbaugh’s Michigan teams, and the early outlook for 2018 looks like more of the same. Defensive coordinator Don Brown is arguably the best in the business, and he has a wealth of talent at his disposal. Leading tackler Devin Bush is a special all-around playmaker.

Bush, multi-talented Khaleke Hudson, and elite defensive lineman Rashan Gary headline a unit that ranked in the FBS top 20 in every major statistical category, including the No. 1 spot in pass defense (150.1 yards allowed per game). The Wolverines were also the best in lesser-known advanced stats, such as adjusted line yards (132.8) and stuff rate (28.9 percent).

There is talent available on offense as well. Most notably, receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones and running back Karan Higdon who lead skill positions that welcome back the top two rushers from last year’s squad, as well as its top nine pass catchers.

Weaknesses:

Consistency at quarterback has been a concern. Last season, John O’Korn, Wilton Speight and Brandon Peters all attempted more than 80 passes, though none threw for 1,000 yards or completed 55 percent of his passes. Each was also sacked in at least 6.0 percent of his pass attempts, which highlights the need for improvement from an offensive line that must replace three starters.

The Wolverines need Peters or Ole Miss transfer Shea Patterson (assuming he is eligible to play right away) to take hold of the offense in order to avoid another disappointment in 2018.

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