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2015-2016 Football Previews (Big Ten)- Wolverines

The Michigan Wolverines had a season to forget last year. They did make a big splash in the offseason though by hiring Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh has had success everywhere he’s been, so everyone is expecting the Wolverines to improve. The million dollar question is: How fast will they improve?

NCAA Football Gambling Lines

Big 10 Lines

Big Ten 2015-2016 College Football Preview – Michigan Wolverines
Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh
2014 Record: 5-7
Odds to Win College Football Championship (from BetOnline): +8,000
Odds to win Big Ten (from BetOnline): +1,800
Season Win Total (from 5Dimes): 7.5

Michigan is going to get better, but should we expect big things from them this year?

The Wolverines will likely have a new identity under Harbaugh. Their offensive schemes will go more toward running the football and controlling time of possession. Harbaugh is a great recruiter, but he’s primarily working with Brady Hoke’s players this year. Michigan gets a tough test right off the bat with a game at Utah (tough place to play) in its season opener. Let’s take a look at this year’s Michigan team.

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Team Strengths

Harbaugh will want his team to run the football, and he has some nice running backs to use. De’Veon Smith was very good last year when he has healthy. Ty Isaac is a great looking young runner who should see some significant time. Derrick Green is a quality runner as well. The running back spot is a place where Michigan has both a bunch of talent and depth.

Despite the loss of Jake Ryan, the Michigan linebackers look like one of the best in the Big Ten this year. Desmond Morgan missed all of last year with an injury, but he’s back this year and he’ll be good. Joe Bolden came on really strong late last year, and he’ll be a senior leader for this group as well. It’s a very physical group that should get in the backfield often.

The secondary hasn’t been very good over the last few years, but I think that changes this year. Jabril Peppers is a redshirt freshman who was the top ranked safety in the country as a high school player. He’ll be a star for the Wolverines.

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Wayne Lyons transferred in from Stanford, and he’ll be an instant upgrade at the cornerback spot.

Team Weaknesses

The Michigan passing game should struggle this year. Jake Rudock transferred in from Iowa and he’ll likely be the starter. Rudock isn’t a bad player, but he is more of a game manager than anything else. Another big problem for Michigan is the lack of talent at wide receiver. Devin Funchess was a star, but he’s in the NFL now. As much as the Wolverines will want to run the ball, this team might struggle to keep any kind of balance because of a poor passing attack.

The Michigan defensive line is generally excellent, but that doesn’t look to be the case this season. Frank Clark and Brennen Beyer were the most talented guys on the line last year, and they are both gone. It’s not that this is a glaring weakness, but it isn’t a strength like it usually is at Michigan.

Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Prediction: 7-6

Michigan will be better than last year, but I believe some people have set their expectations too high for this team. There is always a learning curve in a new system.

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Harbaugh will do great things with this program, but I don’t think the pieces are there to do it yet.

Michigan College Football 2015 Schedule

9/3/15 8:30 PM ET @UTAH
9/12/15 12:00 PM ET ORST
9/19/15 12:00 PM ET UNLV
9/26/15 TBD BYU
10/3/15 TBD @MD
10/10/15 3:30 PM ET NW
10/17/15 TBD MSU
10/31/15 8:00 PM ET @MINN
11/7/15 TBD RUTG
11/14/15 TBD @IND
11/21/15 TBD @PSU
11/28/15 TBD OSU

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By Kyle Hunter

Kyle Hunter sports picks – A degree in finance and a great ability to follow important trends and statistics set him apart from the rest. Totals are Kyle's specialty, so look for a lot of totals picks from NBA, NCAAF, & the NFL. Check out his plays today.