Michigan Football: 3 players that need to step up in 2018

As a starter or backup, Peters must improve

A few weeks ago, I broke down why it was way too early to give up completely on Brandon Peters, even though the recent returns were not very promising.

When you look at the big body of work, Peters wasn’t all that bad. He completed 54 percent of his passes, threw four touchdown passes and had two interceptions, although both were costly in the Outback Bowl. He also had a fumble against Wisconsin at the one-yard line in a goal-to-go situation.

However, the fact remains that he defeated Rutgers off the bench, Minnesota and Maryland. When he gets protection, he throws a pretty good football. And with some more seasoning, he could still develop into a capable quarterback.

Even if Patterson swoops in and takes the starting job, the Wolverines still need a reliable backup. They didn’t have that this season in John O’Korn and it cost them dearly. Dylan McCaffrey could also fill that role, but if Patterson can’t play, Peters will likely be either the starter or the backup.

Next: Top 15 Michigan quarterbacks of all time

So even if you don’t want to see him on the field, you still need to hope he steps up his game, because if he has to play as the starter or even as the backup, there’s no question, he has to be better.