This week, a few members of the Maize n Brew staff answered a simple one-question prompt about their biggest question about the Michigan Wolverines heading into the summer.
As the temperatures get warmer, so do the storylines and topics we will discuss in the lead-up to the season. Here is what three of our staffers had to say about the plot thread that sticks out most.
What is the biggest question about Michigan that you have heading into the offseason?
Von Lozon: I think an obvious answer would be pertaining to the QB position, so I will go a different route here.
How is the team morale going to be heading into the new season? At times last season, specifically on defense, it just didn’t look like anybody wanted to be on the field playing. It looked like no one had faith in their teammates, their coaches, or even themselves, and it was brutal to watch week in and week out.
So with a brand new coaching staff on defense, and some changes on the offensive staff as well, what’s the vibe of the team going to be like? A positive environment can go a long way in a team’s development, so hopefully, we see some changes in that department this year.
Anthony Broome: Michigan’s offensive identity remains the biggest question for me despite how bad the defense was last year. The offense under Josh Gattis has struggled just as often as it has been successful, a lot of which has to do with inconsistency at quarterback. The run game has a hard time finding rhythm sometimes because of how frequently they have rotated backs and a true No. 1 receiver never emerged last year. Even when they did have one (Nico Collins), his targets were fewer than they should have been. What is it that they do well and build around? That is what must be established in the lead-up to the season.
Matt Eifert: Will the secondary be able to hold up against a full Big Ten schedule next year? Daxton Hill is a known commodity but there is so much uncertainty around him, specifically at cornerback. The Baltimore Ravens have had a solid secondary for as long as I can remember so I expect Mike Macdonald’s defensive scheme to rely on them. How well the corners can hold up against the best of the best in the conference remains to be seen.