By George Eichorn
Let the pigskin fly as the U-M Wolverines and MSU Spartans open up the college football season at home this holiday weekend.
Coach Jim Harbaugh’s squad was 10-3 a year ago and lost its chance for a spot in the Big Ten Championship game after suffering a 62-39 thrashing to Ohio State. Just how far the new-look Wolverines offense carries them in 2019 remains to be seen. I will predict an 11-2 record.
Offensive coordinator Josh Gettis was hired away from the University of Alabama to help ignite senior quarterback Shea Patterson and wide receivers Donovan Peoples-Jones, Nico Collins and Tarik Black. Tru Wilson will probably lead the rushing attack for U-M. Shawn McKeon is likely to start at tight end. The offensive line features Jon Runyan, Ben Bredeson, Cesar Ruiz, Michael Onwenu and Jalen Mayfield.
Middle Tennessee (8-6 in 2018) provides a solid opposition this Saturday, August 31, 7:30 p.m., at Michigan Stadium. The game will be televised by the Big Ten Network and broadcast on WWJ-AM 950. U-M has its three biggest foes – Notre Dame, Michigan State and Ohio State – at home this season. That’s the good news. It’s time for Michigan to try to take advantage of the schedule.
The “M” defense is anchored by MVP-candidate Lavert Hill and includes defensive line starters Aidan Hutchinson, Carlo Kemp, Kwity Paye and Donovan Jeter. Linebackers are Josh Ross, Viper Khaleke Hudson and Josh Uche. Hill starts in the secondary with Vincent Gray, Josh Metellus abd Brad Hawkins. Jake Moody and Quinn Nordin are the placekickers and Will Hart the punter.
U-M is ranked seventh in both pre-season polls which MSU is 18th in the AP poll and 20th in the coaches poll.
Michigan State opens its season this Friday, August 30, 8 p.m., against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (3-9 in 2018), at Spartan Stadium. Fox Sports 1 has the TV while WJR-AM 760 the radio broadcast with play-by-play man George Blaha celebrating 45 years behind the microphone.
MSU head coach Mark Dantonio (7-6 in 2018) shook up his coaching staff too. Brad Salem is the new offensive coordinator. Brian Lewerke is the starting quarterback with Rocky Lombardi and Theo Day in the wings. The right shoulder injured limited Lewerke in 2018 and dragged down the MSU Big Ten hopes.
Connor Heyward and Max Rosenthal are the rushers with Darrell Stewart, Cody White and Jallen Nailor likely starting receivers. Matt Dotson starts at tight end. The MSU o-line is anchored by A.J. Arcuri, Luke Campbell, Matt Allen, Kevin Jarvis and Jordan Reid.
State’s defense is led by linebacker Joe Bachie, a pre-season All-American and a returner All-Big Ten first-teamer. Other linebackers are Antjuan Simmons and Tyriq Thompson. The line is led by starters Kenny Willekes, Jacub Panasiuk, Raequan Williams and Mike Panasiuk. Leading the secondary are Josiah Scott, Josh Butler, Xavier Henderson and David Dowell.
On special teams, MSU starts kicker Matt Coghlin and punter Jake Hartbarger and long-snapper Ryan Armour. Coghlin is an All-Big Ten first-teamer.
Dantonio has liked what he’s seen of his team in spring and summer camps and hopes this group of seniors and underclassmen guides MSU back to Big Ten prominence perhaps even a shot at the title game in Indianapolis. MSU home games include Tulsa, Western Michigan, Arizona State, Indiana, Penn State, Illinois and Maryland. Tough road contests are at Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan. A 9-4 season is being predicted here.
(Reach George Eichorn at geichorn@yahoo.com.)
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