Michigan Football: Predicting the Wolverines starters against MTSU

Offensive starters

QB: Shea Patterson

Harbaugh announced Patterson as the starter well before the first game just like last season. Even though he said both Dylan McCaffrey and Patterson will get playing time, it’s difficult to know exactly what Dylan’s role will be. Patterson wants to play every snap and when games are competitive, my guess is he will play about 95 percent of the time.

RB: Zach Charbonnet

A few weeks ago at Big Ten Media Days, Harbaugh announced Tru Wilson as the starter but refused to do the same Monday. That means youngsters such as Zach Charbonnet and Christian Turner have made up some ground. The head coach keeps singing the praises of the top offensive recruit from 2019 (Charbonnet) and I have a gut feeling he will start Saturday. But Wilson and Turner will both play — a lot.

WR: Nico Collins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Tarik Black, Ronnie Bell

When it comes to wideout, Michigan football could easily play seven guys. Peoples-Jones, Collins, Black and Bell figure to be the top four right now with Sainristil right there. Giles Jackson and Johnson, two other freshmen should also get a chance. This could be the Wolverines deepest position in 2019.

TE: Sean McKeon

Tight end is another spot where UM has decent depth. McKeon is probably the most complete tight end. He has good hands, is a solid blocker and can be moved around. Nick Eubanks has also flashed potential as has freshman Erick All.

OL: Jon Runyan, Michael Onwenu, Cesar Ruiz, Ben Bredeson, Jalen Mayfield

The loss of Andrew Stueber to an ACL injury will impact the depth of the offensive line, but according to offensive line coach Ed Warriner, Mayfield was neck-and-neck with Stueber and was already considered a starter. The concern might come if Michigan gets hit with another injury.