Michigan Football: 5 reasons to embrace Wolverines as playoff contenders

A new-age offense will help Michigan football breakthrough

The biggest reason why fans believe the Wolverines will be different in 2019 is the hiring of Josh Gattis as the offensive coordinator.

For years, fans and media alike ripped Jim Harbaugh for being too conservative and last season’s loss to Ohio State was the greatest example yet of why Michigan had to change.

After running over Michigan State, Wisconsin and Penn State, UM obviously thought it could do the same to the Buckeyes, who also happened to have one of the worst pass defenses in the country.

But instead of firing the ball to Donovan Peoples-Jones, Nico Collins and Tarik Black right from the start, UM didn’t do it until it was too late and it was already well behind. Basically, Michigan tried to just out-tough everyone and it finally appears to have realized that just won’t work.

Coming from behind against an elite opponent didn’t seem possible. Now it does. Gattis is emphasizing speed in space. He wants a spread attack that doesn’t feature a huddle and with Michigan’s talent at wide receiver, O-line, quarterback and tight end, this offense will be explosive.

The aggressiveness of Gattis will also be a game-changer for Michigan football, the impact of which will be felt immediately in 2019.