Taking the pulse within Michigan's football program entering 2023

The pulse around Michigan can be summed up in two words: Let’s dance. That’s the feeling around the fan base after two straight Big Ten titles and back-to-back victories over Ohio State.

But those good vibes are also being felt inside the program. There’s a level of confidence within the walls of the locker room, and it’s understandable. Michigan ranks No. 5 in returning production this year, according to ESPN, and that number includes 84% of the offense. Of course, the most notable names coming back are quarterback J.J. McCarthy and running back Blake Corum, who creates a lethal pairing with Donovan Edwards.

That’s why On3’s J.D. PicKell said Michigan is ready to take the next step. After winning two straight conference championships, he thinks the Wolverines are ready to go win the big one.

“Internally at Michigan, they’re like, ‘Hey, let’s dance’ in the sense that, ‘You know where to find us,'” PicKell said on The Hard Count. “Anywhere, anytime, any place. We’ll play in the parking lot, at a TGI Fridays. We do not care. Let’s dance. We’re here. We’re making it very very clear what we’re after: A national title. We got the Big Ten ring, we got that two years in a row. Cool. We want the big one. And they feel like they have everything to do it, and for good reason.

“They’ve a top-five returning production in the country at Michigan. Got your quarterback back, who has dynamic ability throwing the football, dynamic in the run game. The best backfield in the country, a bunch back on defense, continuity at the coordinator spot more or less. You’ve got Jim Harbaugh running the show, the culture is solid. Everything is there for Michigan. They’re not hiding from anybody. They are the one who knocks at this point in time.”

JD PicKell: ‘I love Jim Harbaugh’ for implementing ‘Beat Georgia’ drills in practice

It took Michigan eight years to finally beat rival Ohio State, doing so in back-to-back years. The Wolverines, of course, had their “Beat Ohio” drills in practice to help prepare for those matchups. Now, UM is using a new drill.

“Beat Georgia” is now part of practice, and PicKell said that shows Harbaugh and the Wolverines have their eyes on a bigger prize now that they’ve gotten the better of their bitter rival twice.

“It’s them and Georgia,” PicKell said. “They’ve been very, very open about it. They have a ‘Beat Georgia’ period at Michigan. And I love Jim Harbaugh for that. Setting the standard, making it very very clear, ‘Hey, you want to go win the big one? Probably got to go beat Georgia because they got the cup right now. Two years in a row. Alright? You want to be the best, [you] gotta go beat the best. We’re going to work on it every single day in practice.’

“I love that from Michigan. I love they’re setting their sights on that. Because I think there’s some legitimacy to the whole concept that you have to be the first one to see it.”

PicKell: Even before Michigan beat Ohio State, the confidence was evident

In 2021, Michigan defeated Ohio State on its home turf. That meant the Wolverines had to go into The Horseshoe in 2022 — and they took care of business once again.

Entering the game, PicKell said Michigan wasn’t doing going too far with its chatter before the game. But the Wolverines didn’t get too high afterward, either. It’s all about getting the job done, and PicKell said that shows the program’s mindset as it tries to make a run at the next big prize.

“Michigan, even when they weren’t beating Ohio State, they were seeing it. There was that confidence,” PicKell said. “I remember clear as day going into that game against Ohio State, Michigan wasn’t doing yapping, but they were doing some talking in the sense that, ‘Hey, all we know is beating Ohio State right now,’ is what JJ McCarthy said. … And there was a feeling of, ‘Wow, Michigan really feels good about this. They have a lot of confidence.’ And that’s not necessarily uncommon with great competitors. But even so, to say something and then to make good on it, to back it up, they didn’t feel differently after that game than they did before that game.

“Now, don’t get it twisted, it was nice to win. It was nice to beat Columbus as a stadium, it was nice to beat Ohio State. They felt good silencing and everybody there. But even so, it wasn’t like shock and awe and party. It was like, ‘Cool, we do what we’re supposed to do. Let’s roll.’ Big Ten title, national title was the feel last year, as well. But they’re chasing it this year. It’s no secret now for Michigan. Let’s dance. Let’s do this. That’s exactly what they’re feeling.”