Michigan Football: 4 questions to answer about Shea Patterson’s return

Can Patterson lead Michigan to the promise land?

I don’t care what people say about Patterson, the reality is that with him as the starting quarterback, Michigan football might be the team to beat in the Big Ten.

Michigan Wolverines

Just think about who else will be back on offense. Not only will Patterson return, but Chris Evans will be back, along with Tru Wilson and incoming freshman Zach Charbonnet. So running back will be solid and wide receiver will be loaded with Donovan Peoples-Jones, Nico Collins, Tarik Black, Ronnie Bell and Oliver Martin all returning.

The freshmen class also includes exciting guys like Giles Jackson and Cornelius Johnson and that doesn’t even mention the potential return of tight end Zach Gentry. Nick Eubanks is also set to return. Making things even better, Michigan will return four of five starters on the offensive line. Adding to that is a loaded recruiting class of highly-touted offensive-lineman and the five guys up front should be better than ever.

Michigan will lose some guys on defense, but with Don Brown and tons of talent waiting in the wings, the defense should be fine. And with Patterson, if Harbaugh finally opens up the playbook, the Wolverines could have one of the best offenses in the country.

Whether that will be enough to beat the Buckeyes and win the Big Ten remains to be seen. However, with Patterson, both of those things seem more likely, especially since Ohio State has to come to the Big House, a place that Shea has yet to lose.