NOTE: I want to acknowledge that this post is coming out after Michigan’s first game. I usually get this post done prior to the season – for obvious reasons – but I was scrambling to finish the countdown and just couldn’t get it all wrapped up. Some of these predictions were already shared in the season countdown posts, but some were not addressed.
LEADING RUSHER
I’m not sure how well this prediction holds up after watching game one against Fresno State, in which Kalel Mullings outgained Donovan Edwards. But I believed Edwards would be the lead back and put up a good chunk of yards.
Prediction: Donovan Edwards, 1100 yards
Hit the jump for the rest of the prognostications.
LEADING RECEIVER
There have been some Ronnie Bell comparisons for Tyler Morris, and Bell was Michigan’s leading receiver pretty much whenever he didn’t have a torn ACL. Ironically, Morris tore his ACL in high school. Bell had just 13 catches last season, but Michigan needs a new #1 receiver. It might very well end up being Colston Loveland – who had 8 catches for 87 yards in the season opener – but I think teams will tamp down on Loveland and open things up for Morris a little bit.
Prediction: Tyler Morris, 560 yards
LEADING TACKLER
Maryland had a really good linebacker named Jaishawn Barham, and now that really good player plays for Michigan. The Wolverines have poached two good inside linebackers from other Big Ten teams in the past two seasons, and they will both likely be vying for the team lead in tackles. I have Barham edging out former Nebraska linebacker Ernest Hausmann in tackles, 65 to 60.
Prediction: Jaishawn Barham, 65 tackles
LEADING SACKER
Speaking of transfers, Michigan also landed Coastal Carolina defensive end/outside linebacker Josaiah Stewart prior to 2023. Stewart spent that season backing up Jaylen Harrell and steps into a starting role for 2024. I have Stewart getting 7.0 sacks in 2024, and he’s off to a good start after one game with 2.0 quarterback takedowns in the bag already.
Prediction: Josaiah Stewart, 7.0 sacks
LEADING INTERCEPTOR
I was right on point last season when I predicted that Will Johnson would get 4 interceptions. Hooray for me! What I didn’t predict was that Mike Sainristil would get 6 interceptions and beat out Johnson in this category. So this year I’m going to double down on Johnson, but I figured teams would avoid him a little more since he’s an All-American and one of the best players in the country.
Prediction: Will Johnson, 3 interceptions
ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM
Prediction: Mason Graham, Colston Loveland, Will Johnson
ALL-AMERICAN
Prediction: Colston Loveland, Will Johnson
LEADING SCORER (NON-KICKER)
Prediction: Donovan Edwards
BREAKOUT OFFENSIVE PLAYER
After spending time at linebacker in his first few years on campus and then transitioning to running back, I think Kalel Mullings is going to hold off the likes of Jordan Marshall and Ben Hall for the RB2 position. He’s shown some nice vision and quickness on his way to 221 yards last year, but I think 2024 is going to be a pretty big year for Mullings. I predicted 750 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns.
Prediction: Kalel Mullings
BREAKOUT DEFENSIVE PLAYER
While there are lots of options on offense since the only returning starter is tight end Colston Loveland, the Wolverines are bringing back several starters or heavy contributors on defense. The starting defensive linemen have already played a ton, and so have the linebackers. The one guy who has barely played that I expect to have a good season is new nickel Zeke Berry, who has played just 45 snaps in his first two seasons. He has a good combination of speed and physicality.
Prediction: Zeke Berry
MOST DISAPPOINTING OFFENSIVE PLAYER
I think people are pretty excited about Semaj Morgan, who had a good finish to the 2023 season. He can help in the passing game, running game, and on special teams. I think he will do some special things, but I have questions about whether Alex Orji and/or Davis Warren can get him the ball consistently enough to match the expectations that might be coming for him from some fans.
Prediction: Semaj Morgan
MOST DISAPPOINTING DEFENSIVE PLAYER
I think the defense is going to be pretty awesome in 2024, so I can’t really pick a single starter who I expect to have a poor year. However, there are some backups who have been earning hype. For a few years now, Michigan has had quality edge player after quality edge player. Last year it was Derrick Moore and Josaiah Stewart backing up Braiden McGregor and Jaylen Harrell, and I think Moore and Stewart will be good as starters. People keep talking up T.J. Guy as a guy standing out in practices, but I’m still not sold on him at this point. I don’t think he’ll be what Moore and Stewart were in 2023, even though I expect him to be the #3 edge guy.
Prediction: T.J. Guy
THE BIG FINISH
August 31 vs. Fresno State: WIN. I know this happened already, but I did predict a 34-10 victory and it was a 30-10 win, so this isn’t hindsight.
September 7 vs. Texas: LOSS. I don’t think Michigan has the quarterback play to match up with Texas returning starter Quinn Ewers. Even if Michigan’s defense plays well, Michigan has too many question marks on offense.
September 14 vs. Arkansas State: WIN. I don’t like Butch Jones, so I hope Michigan crushes them.
September 21 vs. USC: WIN. I think this will be closer than some people expect. Lincoln Riley does a great job with the offense. I think USC will be better on defense, and Michigan will still be figuring things out on offense. If this were at USC, I would probably predict a loss.
September 28 vs. Minnesota: WIN. Michigan typically out-athletes Minnesota even when the Gophers are tough in the trenches.
October 5 @ Washington: WIN. Former Michigan assistant Jedd Fisch is in his first year at Washington after they lost a huge chunk of the team when Kalen DeBoer replaced Nick Saban at Alabama. Michigan’s defense will be too strong.
October 19 @ Illinois: WIN. This game scares me a little bit because Bret Bielema is going to have his team ready for a physical battle, and it’s also a week after a cross-country trip to Seattle. I think this will be a close victory for the Wolverines.
October 26 vs. Michigan State: WIN. I like Jonathan Smith, Michigan State’s new head coach. But Michigan has a better defense than any other unit that will be playing in the game.
November 2 vs. Oregon: LOSS. Michigan has bad mojo when it comes to Oregon, and I also like UCF/Oklahoma transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
November 9 @ Indiana: WIN. The Hoosiers are coached by former JMU head man Curt Cignetti. When Cignetti was introduced at an Indiana basketball game, he said “Michigan and Ohio State suck.” I feel like that might have been premature.
November 23 vs. Northwestern: WIN. I’m not sure how Northwestern would move the ball against Michigan’s defense.
November 30 @ Ohio State: LOSS. There’s been talk about this OSU squad being the most talented NCAA team in years. Maybe that’s true. Maybe not. I just think they have too much on both sides of the ball, and Michigan won’t have the juice to keep up.
OVERALL: 9-3
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