JD PicKell: Michigan's offense will have a bigger load with losses on defense

The Michigan offense wasn’t asked to carry the load this past season thanks to the Wolverines’ stellar defensive play. However, On3’s JD PicKell sees that changing in 2022.

Michigan lost defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson and defensive back Dax Hill — two of the team’s key leaders — to the NFL this offseason. Coach Jim Harbaugh should still have the defense in shape by the start of the season, but it’s going to be difficult to be as good as they were last season.

“The offense is gonna have to score more points,” PicKell said in a recent video. “The offense needs to do a better job of answering scores this year. I think they’ll have to do a better job of playing with a lead. There’s gonna be a lot of tempo that we see from both the offense and defense that looks different. I’m not saying the defense is gonna be bad, but any time you lose two studs on the defensive line, you need to have a way to offset that offensively. I think they’ll do that because of what they have at this receiver position, this tight end position and also (running back) Donovan Edwards taking on a much larger role.”

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Michigan got most of its offense on the ground this past season, where it averaged 214.4 rushing yards per game. They are set to return running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, so should once again be strong in that area.

The biggest question is at quarterback, where Cade McNamara started in 2022. He didn’t necessarily wow, but got the job done throwing for 15 touchdowns to six interceptions. But even though McNamara returns for this season, many believe former top 100 recruit JJ McCarthy could challenge him for the starting job.

“JJ McCarthy is kind of the big hinge piece in this whole equation,” PicKell said. “If he ends up being the guy, do you feel better about spreading the rock? If Cade McNamara struggles to spread the rock early, how quickly do you turn to JJ McCarthy? I think they’ll both play, but I’d be surprised if it’s not Cade McNamara for Game 1.”

Whoever ends up the start will get Ronnie Bell, who suffered a season-ending injury in the first game last season, back to throw to. The Wolverines are set to open up the season on Sept. 3 against Colorado State.