Greg McElroy expects “rock-solid” defense from Michigan and ranks Wolverines 11th in preseason

As part of Greg McElroy’s preseason top 25 rankings on his YouTube show, Always College Footballhe rated Michigan outside the top 10 and explained why the Wolverines can’t be trusted too much in 2024.

“If I’m honest, I look at the last couple of years. I was pretty keen on Michigan – I had them at No. 2, but I was picking them to win the national championship,” McElroy said in his 2023 preseason predictions. But he made that pick in 2023 for the same reasons he’s picking UM in 2024.

“I chose the Michigan Wolverines, understandably because of the continuity that has been created over the last few years,” he explained. “That level of continuity no longer exists.”

McElroy then went over the Wolverines on both sides of the ball, liking the defense’s strengths while also questioning what Michigan has on the other side of the ball. Check out what he had to say:

defense

“I think the defense is excellent and will be again this year,” McElroy explained. “I think Wink Martindale was an excellent signing – he’s going to bring a lot of pressure and a lot of blitzes.”

He is obviously happy with the coach, but also with the personnel Michigan is bringing back for certain positions.

“They’re bringing back a couple of defensive tackles that can take over the game, like Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. They’re in a great position. I love the presence of Derik Moore and Josiah Stewart.”

But overall, Greg McElroy simply doesn’t see quite as many weapons in the war chest this time.

“On defense, they just don’t have as many players this year as they have in recent years. I also look at the inside linebacker group. Are they the same as in recent years? I’m not 100% sure.

“Although I think Will Johnson is great at cornerback, he’s a real top player, there are going to be a few guys who will step in from time to time. There are a few other guys that I think have a few question marks on defense.”

Despite all this, Greg McElroy does not speak of a major step backwards, but rather of a small decline compared to the best defense in the country a year ago.

“They should be firmly in the top three, four, five and ten in the country, there is no doubt about that.”

offense

“The problem is the offense,” McElroy said, pointing out that he thinks that’s where Michigan excels and where it will struggle given how many losses it has made on that side of the ball.

“I know they’re going to be able to run the football, that’s their job,” he continued, before questioning the offensive line and quarterback situation. “I look at the offensive line and there are more question marks there for me than most. I think there are massive question marks at quarterback.”

In particular, the QB dilemma causes McElroy no qualms.

“When you look at the Big Ten and see how it might change a little bit, you might have to score more points to win games in the Big Ten. If you play USC, you might have to score 35 points to win.

“So I look at how the game has changed, and the question mark at quarterback is significant because a battle for the top five quarterbacks in the spring is not something that makes me feel good about that position. I think Orji is a great athlete, I think Tuttle has been around for a long time, and there are a couple of other guys that obviously have talent. But that’s a legitimate question mark to me.”

Greg McElroy admitted that he likes the talent, but it is the OL and QB that keep him from being more optimistic.

“I’m also looking at the wide receivers. I think the wide receivers are going to be really solid, I think the tight end is going to be really solid. I think the running back Donovan Edwards is going to be really solid.”

“Quarterback and offensive line are real question marks for me, which is why Michigan is not in my top 10 at this point heading into preseason. I know that will frustrate a lot of people, but there are just too many question marks surrounding the Wolverines right now.”