Michigan Football: 5 predictions for Wolverines offense under Josh Gattis

Patterson will put up huge numbers

When Michigan football landed Shea Patterson, the former five-star recruit, it helped raise expectations for the program and the fact that he has returned for his senior season is one reason why so many expect so much from this team.

But last season, Patterson was relegated to the role of game-manager by Harbaugh’s offense. He threw for 2,600 yards and 22 touchdowns while adding 273 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Yet, in a system that will better suit his talents, his stats should explode in 2019. Some have debated whether Patterson can pass for 3,000 yards, but that should be easy to exceed if Harbaugh and Gattis live up to their word.

With Donovan Peoples-Jones, Nico Collins, Tarik Black, Ronnie Bell and three impressive freshmen, as well as some talented tight ends, Patterson will have tons of weapons at his disposal. And if he is giving the chance to open things up, 3,500 yards passing in 13-14 games shouldn’t be that difficult.

Patterson should also get more chances to run than last season and more chances to utilize the run-pass option. Michigan football was one of the slowest moving offenses in 2018 and that won’t be the case anymore and one person that will benefit is Patterson, who should easily add a couple of hundred yards on the ground too, pushing him to 4,000 total.