The Wolverines have done a good job shutting down
opponents under coach Jim Harbaugh, regularly trotting out
a dominant defensive line, along with a slate of secondary
standouts. The problem has been putting up points on a
consistent basis, though Michigan was 21st in the country in
scoring last year (up from 91st the season before). Harbaugh,
the team’s fifth-year coach, will see more progress, thanks to
Donovan Peoples-Jones.
The junior wideout leads a receiving corps that should be
the Wolverines’ best in years. The 6' 2" Peoples-Jones flashed
his big-play ability last season, tallying eight touchdowns on
47 receptions for 612 yards. He averaged 13.0 yards per
catch and helped QB Shea Patterson to a solid junior season.
Patterson threw for 22 TDs and just seven interceptions. And
there’s good news for the backfield: Four of the five starters on
the offensive line return this season.
After losing its opener last year, Michigan ran off 10 straight
wins to get to No. 4 in the national polls. But in their season
finale, the Wolverines were pummeled by Ohio State 62–39,
costing them a spot in the Big Ten championship game. It
was the seventh straight year Michigan dropped The Game.
No matter how much better the Wolverines’ offense becomes,
Harbaugh will have to figure out how to solve his neighbor
to the south, or it will be another disappointing season
in Ann Arbor.
Quartney Davis is no stranger to flying under the radar. The
four-star recruit missed his senior year of high school due to
injuries. He then tore his ACL before his freshman season at
Texas A&M in 2017. The 6' 2" receiver finally returned to the
field last season and showed flashes of greatness. In a wild,
seven-overtime win over LSU, he had seven catches for 101
yards and two touchdowns. Now fully healthy, he will lead the
Aggies’ receiving corps.
Davis will line up in the slot for most of the season. He’s
twitchy and agile, adept at knifing through defenses to find soft
spots in opposing secondaries. He’ll be paired with Kendrick
Rogers, a 6' 3" red zone target. Kellen Mond, entering his
third season at quarterback, should be able to spread the ball
around with ease.
There’s a hole at running back, though, with the electric
Trayveon Williams, who ran for 1,760 yards last year, now in
the NFL. Mond is a capable runner, but the Aggies will need
contributions from Jashaun Corbin, who had a 100-yard
kickoff return against Arkansas as a freshman, and Cordarrian
Richardson, a 6-foot, 248-pound bruiser.
The Aggies lost a lot on defense, including their five leading
tacklers, and six starters in their front seven. Coach Jimbo Fisher
has talented players, especially junior tackle Justin Madubuike,
the team’s defensive MVP. The D will have to jell—and quickly.
Texas A&M’s second game of the season is at Clemson.2018 RECORD: 10– (^3) 2018 RECORD: 9– 4
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