Michigan Football: 5 questions that must be answered entering 2018

Did Harbaugh find his guy in Shea Patterson

Of course, one of the big reasons Michigan football fans are excited heading into 2018 is Patterson, the guy everyone expects to be the Wolverines’ starting quarterback against Notre Dame in the season opener.

The hype surrounding Patterson has been pretty insane. Yet, his 23 touchdowns in just 10 college games in the SEC are no joke. He’s got a little magic in him and hopefully, he will bring that to the Maize and Blue. If he does, he can fill the Wolverines biggest weakness. 

Patterson has only started 10 games but threw an average of 2.3 touchdowns in the SEC, which is impressive. So is the 8.7 average yards per attempt he put up at Ole Miss in 2017. That’s a solid number and much better than John O’Korn‘s 4.7 last season or even the 6.1 registered by Brandon Peters.

Patterson also proved to be a much more accurate passer last season than when he was a freshman. He completed just over 54 percent in three games his first season with the Rebels, yet completed better than 63 percent as a sophomore. His 12 interceptions are a concern, but if he can learn to take what the defense gives him and if he makes enough big plays, a few mistakes won’t matter as much.

The margin of error won’t be so thin with Patterson at quarterback and a comeback might even be possible, as well as some wins in big games. But that’s only if, he’s the real deal. We will find out starting Aug. 3 and more importantly, when UM takes on the Fighting Irish.