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College football 2018: Biggest X-factor on every Top 25 team

By Derek Grochowski

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Miles Sanders (24) of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for a gain in the game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Miles Sanders (24) of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for a gain in the game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 01: Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Rashan Gary (3) in action during the 2018 Outback Bowl between the Michigan Wolverines and South Carolina Gamecocks on January 01, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 01: Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Rashan Gary (3) in action during the 2018 Outback Bowl between the Michigan Wolverines and South Carolina Gamecocks on January 01, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

14. Rashan Gary, Michigan Wolverines

It’s not quite do-or-die time in Ann Arbor for Jim Harbaugh but it is close. After a promising first season with the program, there has not been a lot of improvement on the field. This season is the season that can change that narrative and Harbaugh finally has the weapons to do it.

Largely due to the leadership of defensive coordinator Don Brown, the defense has been phenomenal since Harbaugh and company took over. Jabrill Peppers, Maurice Hurst, Taco Charlton and Jourdan Lewis were all phenomenal college football players for the Wolverines over the past few seasons but it is time for the next wave.

All eyes will be on Shea Patterson and the retooled Michigan offense this year but the real x-factor is on the other side of the ball. Rashan Gary was a former No. 1 recruit coming out of high school and he has already lived up to the billing. He has been dominant on the defensive line since getting to Michigan and has put himself into the top ten of many draft boards heading into the season.

Why is a player already proven to be dominant an X-Factor for this season? Because now for the first time in his career Gary will be the guy on the defensive line. In years past he has worked with talented players around him as a part of a system to get results. There is still plenty of talent around him but not at Maurice Hurst and Taco Charlton levels. Michael Dwumfour and Bryan Mone are unproven, Chase Winovich is back which will help but a lot of pressure will be on Gary.

Coming off of a season with 58 total tackles, 11.5 of them being for a loss and five and a half sacks will be hard to beat. But he will need to continue to grow if the Wolverines want a shot at the playoffs for the first time. The Big Ten East is no cake walk and starting the season on the road against Notre Dame will give everyone a good idea of what kind of team Michigan will be this season.