If McCarthy just eliminates a few of the rare turnovers- I like Michigans chances. They are loaded this year.
Eliminating the few dumb turnovers isn't enough imo. JJ needs to start making big plays in the passing game in order to take that offense up a level. And they are pretty well loaded up nearly everywhere but WR imo. They have bunch of solid WRs, but nothing to write home about imo. Cornelius Johnson & Roman Wilson are better than people think, but they are nothing like what OSU/BAMA has kept trotting out the last 5-6 years- not even close. Michigan hasn't had a truly elite unstoppable take over the game guy like that since Braylon Edwards or Mario Manningham. That's a looooooong f'ng time. DPJ was suppose to be that- but Jeem never developed him properly. Kid would've been a top 10 pick had he gone to OSU.
Michigan is going to have an excellent two deep on the OL with what they have returning & developing + the transfer portal guys they brought in- it'll be the best overall depth they've had along the OL in probably 15-20 years- no hyperbole there. They have 10 guys right now that could start at most P5 schools.
They'll have the best 1-2 punch at RB in the entire nation with Corum + Edwards imo. Edwards is the best RB in the sport if you ask me- has just begun to scratch the surface. Excellent TE room with the growth of Colston Loveland (who was a studly true frosh last year) and the addition of a veteran TE from the transfer portal in AJ Barner.
Defense they have excellent talent, experience, and depth at DL, EDGE, LB, and S. They'll have maybe the best CB in the entire nation in Will Johnson (he's got that kind of high 1st rd ceiling) and one of the very best nickel DBs in Mike Sainistril. The concern is CB depth and who plays the other outside CB spot opposite Will Johnson.
IF JJ doesn't take a massive leap and shatter every Michigan passing record this year- something went really wrong. He's got every tool in the book. He's legit 6'3ish, he's a terrific athlete- has way better agility and speed than I think people realize- he is a legit threat as a runner- and he's got high level arm strength- he can make every throw in the book and then some. Kid throws darts and dimes sometimes that just make you go wow- then other times it's just- what the hell was that?
Everything else around him is so good that I still think they are an 12-1 maybe even 13-0 B1G chip winning team if JJ has a repeat type of season and only marginally improves. But they'll stall out in the playoff again. Only way they'll have a chance at a Natty is if JJ can really level up and take his game to that 1st rd NFL draft level. He's got all the physical tools and raw ability- whether or not he can get there is the $64,000 ?. Unfortunately I think a big part of the problem in his quest to get there is his coach Jeem....but perhaps this 4 game suspension will have the interim coach open it up and air it out a bit more and allow for JJ to just cut it loose for the first month of the season and not have to worry about his autistic coach hanging over his shoulder. Jeem's retardation, his aversion to risk, and his pathetically out-dated passing schemes/concepts and overall general philosophy when it comes to offense hinders QB's imo.
