The Michigan Wolverines are back this weekend! Sherrone Moore and the maize and blue will take the field under the lights of the Big House for the first time this college football season on Saturday night when they take on Fresno State.
Various staff members from Maize n Brew will gather each week for a general roundtable discussion. Today, we answer questions about some of the starting jobs still up for grabs, and make some predictions.
Since our last roundtable, no QB has solidified themselves as the top guy. Alex Orji and Davis Warren continue competing for the job. Who do you think gets the nod tomorrow night, and do you think they’ll be the starter the entire year?
Von: I fully anticipate Orji being the guy this year. I think Warren gave him a serious run for his money, but when the first offensive snap is taken, it will be Orji who is handing off or throwing the football. And yes, he will be the starter all year long, barring any injuries.
Andrew: Ask me this two weeks ago and it’s Alex Orji running away. Ask me last week and it’s Orji by a nose. The longer the battle lasts, the more the gap between the two signal callers seems to shrink. For the presumptive sake of parity, give me Davis Warren. However, Orji will still play a dynamic role and will take around 10 snaps per game in select packages.
Matt: I’m expecting Alex Orji to get the starting nod tomorrow night based on camp chatter and offseason hype. However, I may be in the minority here but I believe Davis Warren will take over by the end of the year. Sherrone Moore’s offense is of course predicated on running the ball, but eventually they’re going to have to pass the ball downfield. Early reviews of Orji’s throwing ability have been mediocre.
Grace: At this point, I have no idea. I wouldn’t be surprised if either started, or if they named a first-half starter and second-half starter. Either way, I bet we see both quarterbacks on the field this weekend, working to earn the starting job against Texas in Week 2.
Charles: Alex Orji, and he will be the starter for the full season (barring any serious injuries) but Davis Warren will get consistent snaps as the backup as well.
There are also some question marks along the OL. This week, Sherrone Moore mentioned Evan Link and Andrew Gentry in contention for RT, while Greg Crippen is trying to fend off Dominic Giudice for the starting C job. Who do you think will win these respective position battles?
Von: I’m gonna go with the two underdogs here — Giudice at center and Link at right tackle. Giudice has been the most talked about player over the past week, and he’s been given a ton of praise from Grant Newsome, Sherrone Moore, and even Lou Esposito. Reading the tea leaves, it really sounds like he has emerged from out of the blue.
Link, on the other hand, was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school and is suddenly bursting onto the scene as a younger guy. To go from not playing at all a season ago to being a legit contender to start as a redshirt freshman is pretty incredible, especially considering Moore didn’t talk about him at all last month at Big Ten Media Days. I really like his overall upside, so I believe he will be out there on Saturday.
Andrew: At center, it feels like Greg Crippen is on the verge of blowing a 3-1 series lead. For months we have heard anecdote after anecdote about how Crippen’s paid his dues behind stud transfer after stud transfer and now it’s finally his turn. However, with the emergence of Dom Giudice — *in the most Tim Robinson voice imaginable* — “Are you sure about that?” Despite the battle coming down to the wire, Crippen still holds fast.
At right tackle, give me the youngster Evan Link. After an off-season body transformation — up from 307 to 328 pounds — the rising sophom*ore is ready to put it all together as a starter. This late surge by Link is probably due to the changing of the guard at the quarterback position. With Orji, a run-blocking power was needed at right tackle. But with Davis Warren, the right tackle needs to also display prowess as a pass protector and that might give Link the edge as the more complete blocker.
Matt: I’m expecting Gentry to win the right tackle job and Crippen to hold off all challengers at center. Both have felt like starters-in-waiting for a few years so it’s a bit surprising to hear that they’re in heated camp battles but I like the veterans to hold off the younger players.
Grace: I think Sherrone Moore will pick the guy that’s best for the unit as a whole. Not willing to make a sure prediction either way, but excited to see what the team looks like on the field.
Charles: Greg Crippen and Andrew Gentry win their respective position battles.
Who are your breakout players on offense and defense this season, and why?
Von: Offense: Semaj Morgan. This kid has the “it” factor that a lot of star wideouts have. He just scratched the surface of his potential as a true freshman, so it wouldn’t shock me if he led the wideout room in receptions and yards.
Defense: Jyaire Hill. Sherrone Moore confirmed earlier this week that Hill has solidified himself as CB2, which is super exciting to hear. His athleticism and ball skills were on display in the spring game, and he appears to have taken that next step forward. Him beating out the two transfers at the position — who are more experienced than him — for the starting job gave me the confirmation I needed that he will have a breakout season.
Andrew: Offensively, tight end Marlin Klein is going to be a weapon for this unit. In Colston Loveland’s words, Klein is the “most athletic” player in the room and he is ready to make a massive impact as both a blocker and pass-catcher.
Defensively, Zeke Berry. All signs are pointing toward the third-year player winning the ever-important starting nickel position for the Wolverines. Berry is a ball-hawking coverage player and a vicious blitzer off the edge. If he can handle the mental aspect at 80 percent of what Mike Sainristil did last season, he could be an All-Conference performer.
Matt: Kalel Mullings is my offensive breakout player. He has shown incredible burst for a back of his size and fits the offense perfectly. With how much Michigan expects to run the ball, his touches should be early and often. On defense, I like Derrick Moore to explode this year. On any other team, he has a breakout year in 2023 but with Michigan’s depth at edge last year he didn’t see an overwhelming number of snaps. He has all the physical tools to be dominant on the defensive line.
Grace: On offense, I’m excited for Tyler Morris. We’ve seen glimpses of what he can do, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him make some more big plays this season and gaining some significant yards after contact.
On defense, I think Makari Paige is going to have a breakout season when it comes to his leadership role on and off the field. I think he’ll help with that communication and make some big plays for the Wolverines in the secondary.
Charles: I think Tyler Morris is going to have a breakout season because his experience and speed should help him adjust to an increased role. TJ Guy is a breakout candidate as well because there will be plenty of opportunities for the edge rushers to find success in Wink Martindale’s aggressive scheme.
Give us some quick hit predictions about Michigan’s 2024 season — final regular season record, do they win the Big Ten for a fourth straight season, and do they make it back to the CFP?
Von: I believe Michigan goes 10-2 in the regular season (losses to Texas and Oregon) and misses out on the Big Ten Championship. OSU and Oregon dukes it out in Indy as Michigan clings onto all hope of making the CFP. At the end of the day, I think they find a way to squeak in.
Andrew: This team is a quarterback away from contending for a repeat title. The Wolverines will find a quality passing solution — whether that be a solo act or a group effort (insert Orji joke) — and with a proven run game and elite defense, this team will be dangerous and peaking in December. Predicting this team is difficult. As the self-identified optimist of the group, let’s go with 11-1 in the regular season, another Big Ten title, but a loss to Georgia in the CFP.
Matt: 9-3 regular season with losses to Texas, Oregon, and Ohio State (unfortunately). Michigan misses out on the Big Ten Championship but does squeak into the CFP as the 11-seed.
Grace: I’m tempted to say Michigan ends the regular season 11-1 since many of its toughest tests are at home. If that’s the case, then yes, the Wolverines will win the Big Ten for the fourth straight season. Even if the Wolverines finish 10-2 or 9-3, I think they’ll make it back to the CFP.
Charles: I think Michigan finishes with a 10-2 record, falling just short of reaching the Big Ten Championship but clinching a spot in the CFP for a fourth straight year.
Let’s get to this weekend’s game! What are you hoping to see the most in this one? And do you believe Michigan will cover the 21-point spread?
Von: I want to see Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant dominant. We (very likely) get this dynamic duo for one more season, so embrace their high level of play while you can. At the end of the day, I think this will be a tight game — it’s going to take a little bit of time for the offense to get things going. Michigan wins in a game that looks closer than it actually ever is, but barely miss out on covering the spread.
Andrew: Continuity and identity are what I want to see the most. Team 145 is facing myriad question marks on the coaching staff and on the field and this is the first chance to put a handful of them to bed. On offense, rhythm and operating on schedule will be solid indications of future success, and defensively, this unit needs to set the tone of the season by establishing its dominance. Michigan wins AND covers. 34-3.
Matt: The answer here is obvious: I’m hoping to see a QB solidify himself at the top of the depth chart. With only a week to prepare before a top-10 matchup, I want to see someone take control of the offense that isn’t named Donovan Edwards. Yes, Michigan will cover as I don’t see Fresno State scoring at all.
Grace: I want to see Michigan consistently moving the ball on offense, with a few big plays throughout. We saw drives stall out last season and I’d like to see some consistency. Michigan should cover the spread, I don’t think Fresno State will move the ball easily against this defense.
Charles: I’m looking forward to seeing how the revamped offensive line looks, which safeties and wide receivers stand out, and if the team continues to operate like we’ve seen in recent years. I think Michigan will eventually cover the spread but Fresno State could stay competitive in the first half.
