Reviewing the 2018 Michigan Wolverines

Michigan’s defense is still good, even if the offense was slow to get started in their first game against Notre Dame.

Michigan enters Big Ten conference play with a 2-1 record. Victories over Western Michigan (49-3) and Southern Methodist (45-20) followed a season-opening 24-17 loss at Notre Dame. The Wolverines are led by quarterback Shea Patterson, who is completing over 70% of his passes for 589 yards and six touchdowns, though with two interceptions. Redshirt freshman Dylan McCaffrey has backed up Patterson, completing five of seven passes.

Running back Karan Higdon has rushed for 228 yards and two touchdowns this season, averaging 6.7 yards per carry. He missed last week’s game against SMU with an apparent lower body injury. Backup Chris Evans has rushed for 172 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Although Evans left last week’s game due to injury as well, both have been practicing this week and are expected to play.

Sophomore Donovan Peoples-Jones has broken out as many expected this season, catching 14 passes for 159 yards and four touchdowns. Tight end Zach Gentry has caught seven passes for 116 yards while sophomore Nico Collins (6’4” 218 lbs.) has four catches for 113 yards, with a 52 yard catch against Notre Dame and a 44 yard touchdown against Western Michigan. Freshman Tarik Black continues to be out with foot problems, breaking his right foot in August after a broken left foot ended his 2017 season in September.