Michigan football began the season with optimism, which quickly turned into disappointment. Here’s a look back into the Wolverines’ 2017 season.
Michigan football is the model for high hopes. Beginning the season with a 4-0 record, Wolverine fans were thinking ‘this is our year’. Sadly mistaken, the season took a turn for disappointment and flaws within the Michigan team surfaced at the worst time.
The Wolverines had an overall season record of 8-5, and they finished No. 4 in the Big Ten East. Over and over again, Michigan failed to take out its Big Ten opponents. The Wolverines had losses to Michigan State, Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State in 2017.
Poor Jim Harbaugh can’t catch a break, or a win streak in his case. Michigan finished with its first three-game losing streak under Harbaugh. The last game of the season against South Carolina ended in a 26-19 loss in the 2018 Outback Bowl.
The Gamecocks overcame a 16-point deficit with Michigan turning over the ball five times. Quinn Nordin is the one to thank for most of the points on the scoreboard as he ended the game with four made field goals for Michigan.
All in all, Michigan had its ups and downs. Going into the 2017 season, they were confident in their abilities, but along the way, troubles arose. Here’s a closer look at the takeaways from Michigan 2017 season.
5. Not enough quarterback improvement
Michigan began its 2017 season with returning quarterback Wilton Speight. After an impressive 2016 season with Speight, it was a good feeling to start the season with him.
With Speight’s steady hand, the Wolverines dominated their season opener against the Florida Gators. We said goodbye to Speight for the season after he endured a back injury in the fourth game vs. Purdue. Shortly after, the Wolverines find that injuries will have a huge impact for their quarterbacks and it’s hard to go out and perform as a strong team when there is no set leader.
Michigan started the season unstoppable, ranked No. 7 when things got started, but no one could have guessed what was to come.
It turned out to be the season of low points, and players flopping in big games. Michigan has never really seen such a downfall in this position on the field.
However, Speight did begin the season, leading his new starters on field — completing 54.3 percent of his passes. But after his injury, he made the decision to graduate transfer.
Next, the Wolverines brought out John O’Korn and he struggled mightily after losing to teams like Michigan State and Penn State. Brandon Peters then took over, winning against Maryland and but losing to Wisconsin.
During the season, the Michigan quarterbacks were taking too many hits. Peters took a hit in the Wisconsin game that ended with him suffering a concussion.
Looking to 2018, Joe Milton, a top quarterback recruit will enroll for spring practice and Shea Patterson is transferring from Ole Miss which means the Wolverines will not have a true veteran quarterback, but in the end, quality players are important.
4. Wolverines had a top-notch defense
Going into the 2017 season, the Wolverines defense was top-10 worthy. In their season opener against the Gators, Michigan’s defense proved its spot. Florida only racked up 192 total yards during this game, an example of how dominant the Wolverines’ defense can be. This was the start of a strong defensive season for the Wolverines.
The Wolverines replaced 10 starters from the 2016 team, and help was needed from the defensive coordinator Don Brown. The inexperience of safeties began to show with missed tackles but safety Tyree Kinnel became a key player. He gave a promising performance in pass coverage.
Kinnel was strong player for the Wolverines and there were also no hesitations on the defensive line. Contributors like Rashan Gary and Maurice Hurst played vital roles for Michigan’s defense.
Gary, a top 2016 recruit, helped to add pressure to the defensive line and going pro is in near future for him. Hurst decided to return for the 2017 season and led the defensive line which had 39 sacks throughout the season.
Despite going into a season with all new starters, the odds were in Michigan’s favor when it came to its defense. Through most of 2017, the Wolverines’ defense was tops in the nation and Michigan’s defensive line had the experience and the ability to apply pressure — this helps when the offense can’t get the job done.
3. Karan Higdon is a rising star
Injuries played a huge factor in 2017 season, and Karan Higdon unfortunately suffered an ankle ailment during the season. But before that injury, the junior running back became a rising star for the Wolverines.
Against Minnesota, Rutgers and Wisconsin, Higdon averaged 186 yards per showing. He possesses the ability to break for long runs at any moment. Although his performances vary, like only averaging 55 yards against Michigan State and Penn State, fans and his teammates know that his potential is through the roof.
One of Higdon’s best performances of the 2017 season was against Indiana. He managed to run for 200 yards and score three touchdowns for the Wolverines in a big win.
Higdon can build on his success during the 2018 season, as he was just shy of breaking 1,000 yards. As one of Michigan’s top running backs with a chance to go pro, Higdon is returning for his senior year with the Wolverines.
2. Offensive line had no consistency
Is it too late for the Wolverines’ offensive line to come together? Looking back at the 2017, you might think so, but there is always time and room for improvement.
Coach Jim Harbaugh likes to run the ball, but this season, it wasn’t working in his favor. There was no consistency on the offense side when it came to running the ball and the offensive line just couldn’t block properly. This stopped the Wolverines from being a powerhouse for a full season.
In the beginning of the season, players like running back Ty Issac and receiver Tarik Black were giving the team the strength they needed — Isaac with 7.1 yards per carry and Black with 13.5 yards per catch. These young guys were bringing the big plays for the Wolverines. Don Brown has developed a strong defense, which helped the lacking offense, and it got the job done at times.
Michigan had made some changes to players and staff, so things should have improved for the better by now. Unfortunately, the offensive line remains in neutral under offensive coordinator Tim Drevno.
Going into the 2018 season, the Wolverines lose Mason Cole, Patrick Kugler and Raymond Hall; but they are bringing in four-star tackle Jalen Mayfield from Grand Rapids (Mich.) Catholic and four-star lineman Ryan Hayes from Traverse City (Mich.) West. The Wolverines can only hope for the best looking to the 2018 season.
1. Still looking for the big win
It’s almost like the Wolverines see a Big Ten rival on the season schedule and they freeze up. In the 2017 season, Michigan football was on a roll, defeating their opponents, even dominating teams with near blowouts. But when it was time to face off against Big Ten rivals, Michigan could never be consistent.
Big Ten East teams like Michigan State, Penn State and No.1 Ohio State gave Michigan three of four conference losses of the 2017 season. Wisconsin was the other defeat.
Against Penn State, the Wolverines lost control and could not keep up with the Nittany Lions’ run game, defeating Michigan 42-13. Michigan also missed another opportunity against Ohio State.
With a final score of 31-20, Michigan fans looked to Jim Harbaugh for the blame. Besides injured quarterbacks and an offense and defense that couldn’t come together, Harbaugh experienced a team that couldn’t win 10 games for the first time in three seasons.
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Harbaugh was made the head coach of Michigan in order to win the big games, and he is failing at that mission. Things need to change, fans are tired of seeing losses to the Buckeyes and Spartans. If another year arrives with the Wolverines not winning a Big Ten title, Ann Arbor will most likely take notice with the focus being directed toward Harbaugh.