Michigan filled with unknowns
When Michigan released its roster earlier this week and Florida announced its starting quarterback hours later, two of the big mysteries heading into the teams’ season opener were revealed.
Many more remain. The No. 11 Wolverines and the 17th-ranked Gators should get some answers Saturday in Arlington, Texas. The palatial, 100,000-seat home of the Dallas Cowboys will provide the stage for two programs with high expectations and plenty of unknowns.
The Wolverines will start either Wilton Speight or John O’Korn at quarterback. Speight seems to have the edge, mostly because he started 12 games last season. But in his last five starts, which included three losses , he threw five touchdown passes and five interceptions.
A bigger issue for the Wolverines could be replacing 18 of 22 starters, including a bunch of NFL talent on defense. Coach Jim Harbaugh’s defense led the nation in yards in 2016, giving up 261.8 a game, and ranked second in points (14.1). Eight players were drafted off that unit, including All-American safety Jabrill Peppers and pass-rushers Taco Charlton and Chris Wormley. How quickly and seamlessly Michigan reloads could be significant as the team tries for its first Big Ten title since 2004.
“You’ve kind of got to go on what is their history,” Florida coach Jim McElwain said. “In the first game, you are always going to see some things you haven’t seen. There’s new wrinkles every year on both sides. … The unknown piece of that, it really comes down to you more than it does the opponent in how you go about it.”
The Gators have their own concerns, beginning with being without two of their best offensive players. Standout receiver Antonio Callaway and leading rusher Jordan Scarlett were among nine players suspended indefinitely for alleged credit card fraud.
Tennessee
Linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr.’s knee injury will prevent him from playing at all this season, leaving the 25th-ranked Volunteers without one of their projected top defenders. Volunteers coach Butch Jones announced the severity of Kirkland’s injury Friday. Jones said Wednesday that Kirkland had undergone meniscus surgery earlier that day but said at the time there wasn’t yet a timetable for the junior’s potential return. This marks the second consecutive season early injuries have damaged Tennessee’s linebacker corps. Last year, Kirkland missed five games with a high ankle sprain and eventual Detroit Lions fourth-round draft pick Jalen Reeves-Maybin appeared in just four games because of a shoulder injury.