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Michigan Football: 5 reasons why the Wolverines will struggle in 2017

By Andrew Miller

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines lead his team onto the field before a college football game against the UCF Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines lead his team onto the field before a college football game against the UCF Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: Wilton Speight #3 talks to head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines prior to their Capitol One Orange Bowl game against the Florida State Seminoles at Sun Life Stadium on December 30, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: Wilton Speight #3 talks to head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines prior to their Capitol One Orange Bowl game against the Florida State Seminoles at Sun Life Stadium on December 30, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

1. Wilton Speight

Up until the final four games of the 2016 campaign, Wilton Speight actually performed admirably, leading Michigan top a top-three ranking. However, the Wolverines lost three of their final four games, including an embarrassing defeat against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Speight only managed 103 passing yards and no touchdowns with one interception in the loss to Iowa. He also threw for 163 yards and one touchdown with one interception in the Orange Bowl against the Florida State Seminoles, a game that ended in a one-point loss for Michigan.

If Speight cannot keep the starting job through the first few weeks of the season, that will not leave the Michigan offense in a good position. With so little experience on both sides of the ball, the Wolverines cannot afford to keep changing leadership and offensive schemes all the time.

Next: 5 reasons why Notre Dame will struggle in 2017

If Speight can continue the way he played in the early and middle parts of the 2016 schedule, then Michigan will be just fine. However, with so much talent gone that was around him last year, that’s not likely to happen.

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