Michigan football: 3 thoughts on Wolverines and their QB shortcomings

Why there is hope

There are two main reasons Michigan football fans should be hopeful going forward as far as the offense is concerned.

The first reason is Josh Gattis being the offensive coordinator. The growing pains early on in the season seem to be worth it for the long haul. Once Gattis and Harbaugh figured out the correct ways to use their personnel, fans saw some more of that “speed and space” that was highly expected from the start of the season.

Gattis is a young, innovative mind that is only going to get better as a coach. This was a home run type of hire for Harbaugh and now that he has a year under his belt as a full-time play caller, the ceiling could be even higher for next year’s offense.

Couple Gattis’ knowledge and gaining experience with a deep running back room, proven wide receivers and promising young quarterbacks and the possibilities could be endless in 2020.

The second reason to be hopeful is the potential of both Milton and McCaffery.

Milton’s arm gives reason to believe that he will be able to stretch defenses down the field. Whether or not he will be accurate enough to win the job remains to be seen, but if he can put it all together, the pure arm talent is there, combined with his natural athleticism.

McCaffery, on the other hand, also has an unlimited amount of potential. He delivers a pretty good deep ball, even though his arm is not as strong as Milton’s. But his ability to use his legs could be a dangerous weapon if he is used correctly. His first step is quick and if defenses get sucked in on the weak side on zone-read plays, McCaffery has the breakaway speed to go the distance once he gets to the second level.

Michigan fans got to experience that two years ago in a game against Wisconsin. When McCaffery puts his foot in the ground and turns up field, he can get off the edge quickly on designed runs like he did on this play.

So can McCaffery or Milton be a Michigan great at the quarterback position? That remains to be seen. But there is hope.

The system is in place and the weapons will be there on offense in 2020. Michigan will have holes elsewhere, but every team in football does, no matter how great they might be.

If one of these quarterbacks turns out to be an elite player, Michigan will no longer be stuck in purgatory and could finally get over the hump.

If they are just average to good, it could very well be more of the same for this program.