3 reasons Michigan Football can repeat as Big Ten champs

A better-than-expected defense

We all know that Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo are gone and they won’t be easy to replace. But just because the Wolverines won’t have them back doesn’t mean they will lack impact players.

Junior Colson is going to have an Ojabo-type breakout season. I’m not saying double-digit sacks but think Devin Bush Jr. in 2017. Colson can do it all — tackle, cover, run sideline-to-sideline, blitz — he’s going to be a force and First-Team All-Big Ten in my estimation.

I’ve said he was going to be a first-round pick since he stepped foot on campus and I believe it now, more than ever. He can do things most linebackers can’t and he’s going to be special.

Mike Morris, Mazi Smith, DJ Turner, Gemon Green, and Kris Jenkins all seem like NFL players to me. I think Taylor Upshaw is right there too and a number of EDGE players are on the cusp, including Braiden McGregor, a name some have forgotten about due to injury.

That doesn’t even count the former five-star pass (Eyabi Anoma) rusher added just this week. Some folks say they are worried about the depth at linebacker and I don’t know why.

Colson and Nikhai Hill-Green were both solid last year and only getting better. Michael Barrett has improved and will have a role, plus Jimmy Rolder and Deuce Spurlock are going to be players. Jim Harbaugh gushed about them this week and said they’ll play a lot of football, as in this season.

Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham, two stellar defensive tackles, and EDGE Derrick Moore are also going to play a lot of football this season.

The fact that I’m just now mentioning five-star freshman Will Johnson is insane. Jim Harbaugh opened some eyes when he said he thought this defense could be just as good, if not better than last season’s but I believe it.

Even if it’s not quite as good, it can still be a Big-Ten championship-level defense. Of course, that depends on defending Ohio State.