Setting Goals: 2020 Dream Stats for the Eight Game Schedule (that are actually feasible)

With the leaves falling off the trees and the 2020 schedule out the team is finally busy practicing for their first game on October, 24th. And with that the Michigan fanbase is patiently waiting to see the beginning of the Joe Milton era under Jim Harbaugh. In case you didn't know, this will be the first time a program-developed quarterback that was recruited by the Harbaugh will take the field to start the season. In fact, this is the first time a completely Harbaugh-developed program will be in place. There won't be single person on the roster that he and his coaches aren't solely responsible for bringing to Michigan. There are plenty of naysayers, but there is some optimism too. 

Even to the downtrodden fans there is no doubt that this team has talent. Technically, according to the 247 composite rankings, they rank somewhere around 10th in the nation in regards to the level of talent recruited to the roster. So, realistically, a one or two loss season is what should be expected from them on a 12-game schedule, which should equate to a one loss eight-game schedule. But considering how strong the schedule actually is, it will be a tough road to navigate for a team that returns some of the least amount of production in the country form last year's squad. 

The schedule includes trips to Minnesota, Indiana (they look good on paper), and Ohio State, as well as a couple of home tilts against Wisconsin and Penn State. Of course, there is always that matchup with Sparty. This year it comes at week two. Should be interesting no less and it is fair to say that the first two games will set the tone for the remainder of the season. In fact, when I look at the schedule it's easy to see how 95% of the country could easily start out 2-2 after going to Minnesota, facing a rival in Sparty, going to Bloomington, and then facing Wisconsin. All four of those teams should be bowl teams, and two of them could have double digit wins at the end of the season. 

The big question I have had is what could we expect the ceiling to be for the players on this year's team. How good could they possibly be? Well, I went through the conference and the nation's stats from last year, as well as the respective stats on the Wolverines returners, and came up with a list of goals for each player expected to contribute heavily this season. THESE ARE NOT PREDICTIONS. Again, these should be the target goals in terms of stats for the players expected to contribute.

Joe Milton: 2,400 yards passing, 400 yards rushing, 25+ total TD's (5 INT's or less)

The fans and coaches would love to see a guy throwing for 300 yards per game and rushing for another 50. Most importantly, while averaging over three scores per game. That would be some serious production and would prime him for a huge campaign in 2021. It would also make him a favorite to crush the Michigan passing record when the team returns to a full 12-game schedule. Of course, I really like second-year gun-slinger Cade McNamara's potential too. Rumor has it that he was leading Dylan McCaffrey for the backup job. 

Zach Charbonnet: 800 yards rushing, 12 rushing TD's, 2 TD catches

Hassan Haskins: 500 yards rushing, 8 rushing TD's, 2 TD catches

Chris Evans: 250 yards rushing, 250 yards receiving, 6 total TD's

Blake Corum: 100 yards rushing, 50 yards receiving, 2 total TD's

Christian Turner: 50 yards rushing, 1 rushing TD, 8 special teams tackles

Very few running back rooms in the country can match the depth of talent, experience, and versatility that is sitting in Ann Arbor right now. If the offensive line can make some holes this group could do a lot of damage in just eight games in the Big Ten. Charbonnet will be the closest thing to a bell-cow in most games, but the ball will get spread around the room. Haskins is too explosive to leave on the bench. He too has the ability to take over games. Evans and Corum both bring some speed and shiftiness to the stable. This could be fun to watch. Christian Turner might be the odd man out here but he will be a factor on special teams. 

Ronnie Bell: 48 receptions, 700 yards receiving, 6 TD's, 120 punt return yards (7.5 yard/return average)

Cornelius Johnson: 32 receptions, 400 yards receiving, 4 TD's

Giles Jackson: 28 receptions, 400 yards receiving, 5 TD's, 300 kickoff return yards (30 yard/return average), 1 return for a TD

Mike Saintristil: 20 receptions, 300 yards receiving, 3 TD's

A.J. Henning: 12 receptions, 200 yards receiving, 2 TD's

Roman Wilson: 8 receptions, 150 yards receiving, 1 TD

Despite the lack of returning players with experience, this is a group of receivers that could have a breakout-type of season in Ann Arbor. Bell is still one of the best returning wide-outs in the conference, but he needs to make some improvements in his game in order to truly be the number one guy. I hope he can match his production from his 12 games last year, except that he needs to score this year. Johnson looks like a strong candidate to be the number two receiver. He is the biggest guy in the room now and he made the most of his limited opportunities last season, as did Mike Sainristil, who might be the best route-runner on the team. Jackson actually put together quite a highlight reel as a freshman and I am sure he will be looking to boost his resume as well. He could be the real game-breaker the team needs on offense and returning kicks. Expect to see a healthy dose of Henning and Wilson too, as they are very talented and they can still redshirt no matter how many games they play this season. Obviously, a lot depends on what happens at quarterback, but with all the speed and athleticism at receiver right now there should be opportunities for a passer to hit the long ball for pay dirt on nearly every play. And when you consider the type of arm sitting at the helm right now it's hard not to get a little excited. 

Nick Eubanks: 14 receptions, 150 yards receiving, 3 TD's

Luke Schoonmaker: 4 receptions, 50 yards receiving, 1 TD

Erick All: 4 receptions, 50 yards receiving, 1 TD

There is some true potential for a group of tight ends to do some damage in the middle if defenses start focusing on the run-game up front in the box or the receivers 30 yards downfield. I really don't see a ton of production happening from here, but I hope to see it come at the right moments in hopes of catching a defense focusing in on the run game or the speed on the perimeter. It's hard to imagine that there won't be some opportunities to make a few plays in the middle of the field between the linebackers and the safeties throughout the season.

Aiden Hutchinson: 7.5 sacks, 12 tackles for a loss

Kwity Paye: 7.5 sacks, 12 tackles for a loss

Carlo Kemp: 3 sacks, 8 tackles for a loss

Christopher Hinton: 3 sacks, 8 tackles for a loss

Taylor Upshaw: 2 sacks, 5 tackles for a loss

Luiji Vilain: 2 sacks, 5 tackles for a loss

Donovan Jeter: 2 sacks, 3 tackles for a loss

Jess Speight: 1 sack, 3 tackles for a loss

Julius Welschof: 1 sack, 2 tackles for a loss

Braiden McGregor: 1 sack

The starting four should be very good. In fact, I think this is the most talented starting four the team has had here since 2016 and the stats should be fairly spread out among them all. Both ends in particular will be very good. There will be several backups contributing this year too, with a couple notables among the group. It could be the most improved position group on the team in 2020, and it could end up as one of the best overall units in the conference. If they can sniff 30 sacks and 60 TFL's on the season as a unit it will go a long way towards shutting down some very good offenses along the way. 

Cam McGrone: 65 total tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, 1 Forced Fumble, 2 passes defended

Josh Ross: 60 total tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 1 Forced Fumble, 2 passes defended

Michael Barrett: 60 total tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 1 interception, 2 passes defended

Anthony Solomon: 30 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks

Ben VanSumeren: 16 tackles, 2 sacks

Nikhai Hill-Green: 8 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss

Kalel Mullings: 8 tackles, 1 sack

This group has the athletic ability to field a superior unit. McGrone and Ross could be one of the best inside linebacker duos in the nation. Barrett should be the guy that joins them at Viper. He proved himself to be a great special teams player last season and he reportedly runs a 4.5 forty. He is also a former All-State quarterback from Georgia, if that tells you anything about his versatility and overall football intelligence. Of course it would be nice to see a couple of the backups emerge a little bit and get themselves into the stat sheet. Solomon and VanSumeren are the most-likely to win the top backup jobs, but there are two freshmen who are being disruptive and forcing their way up the depth chart and I expect to see them play. 

Dax Hill: 50 total tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 10 passes defended, 3 interceptions

Brad Hawkins: 55 total tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 8 passes defended, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble

Vincent Gray: 20 total tackles, 12 passes defended, 2 interceptions

Gemon Green: 20 total tackles, 10 passes defended, 1 intereception

D.J. Turner II: 12 total tackles, 8 passes defended, 1 interception

Sammy Faustin: 12 total tackles, 3 passes defended

Makari Paige: 12 total tackles, 3 passes defended

Jalen Perry: 4 total tackles, 1 pass defended

Andre Seldon: 4 tackles, 1 pass defended

My guess is that Dax Hill will be all over the secondary - at deep safety, in the slot, on the perimeter, and possibly even at linebacker. He is a generational-type of athlete that Don Brown will want to utilize in as many ways as possible once he gets a full grasp of the game. I think it will come rather quickly this year after looking extremely good towards the end of conference play as a freshman. Brad Hawkins is an underrated player that should be a very nice compliment to Hill, as he too can do a variety of things in terms of coverage and stopping the run. He could play Viper or nickelback if needed. This could be the best safety duo in the conference. Vincent Gray is the only corner with any real experience. He will most-likely play on one side while a combination of Gemon Green and D.J. Turner II fill out the other spot. The coaches seem to be leaning more on Green as the guy there, but we will see a variety of faces throughout the season. Jalen Perry, Andre Seldon, and George Johnson could all get some PT at some point this year in preparation for the future. Makari Paige, a true freshman, and Sammy Faustin, a junior, will compete to see who fills in at the safety spot whenever D. Hill is somewhere doing something else. I am willing to bet there are about three other safeties on the roster that will get some work in the secondary and on special teams this year. The talent is deep there.