What to Make of Michigan football’s Non-Conference Performance
By Cullen Corr
2. Talent Everywhere
We knew coming into this season that Michigan football had a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. They returned 77% of production from a team that went 12-0 in the regular season last year. We knew they had a high floor with all this experience. What we didn’t know is that a handful of guys would step up and take a massive step forward.
In particular, J.J. McCarthy and Roman Wilson have far exceeded what people thought they could be coming into the year. I know this isn’t what people want to hear coming off a rough performance by J.J.
But he looks like he can be one of if not the best quarterback in the country this year if he can stay consistent and avoid turnovers. Roman Wilson has benefited from McCarthy’s development but also taken advantage of his incredible speed and athleticism to consistently get open and develop into one of Michigan’s best wide receivers in the past several years.
On the defensive side of the ball, everyone along the line looks improved. The first-team defensive front has shut down the run and generated pressure on the opposing quarterback.
Michael Barrett and Junior Colson look like two of the best linebackers in the country. And the secondary has held up well without Rod Moore, Makari Paige, or Will Johnson who are all close to returning. Michigan football has flashed the potential of a national championship-caliber team at all positions on both sides of the ball.