Steele: Michigan can make unbeaten run; Michigan State defense 'loaded'

It’s a bold prediction, but Phil Steele, who authors what many consider the college football preseason bible – “Phil Steele’s College Football Preview” – is confident Michigan has the pieces to make an unbeaten run through the regular season and earn a spot in the national playoff.

Steele was a guest this week on the “View from the Press Box” podcast in The Detroit News, along with NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski, a Rochester Hills native and life-long Michigan fan. Keselowski sat down for the podcast interview when the NASCAR series competed at Michigan International Speedway in June, and he will be back racing there Aug. 11.

For the first time in 12 years, Steele has picked Michigan over Ohio State, and he says that even after the Buckeyes steamrolled the Wolverines, 62-39, last November. He also thinks Michigan State will be a “dangerous” team with the combination of its elite defense and an offense that should be improved if it can remain injury-free. He likes Michigan’s chances for a number of reasons, including the schedule and how the rivalry games will all be played at Michigan Stadium.

“When I look at this year’s team, there’s numerous things I like,” Steele said on the podcast. “First of all, I think if you look at the body of work for Michigan and Ohio State last year during the season, Michigan was dominant pretty much almost every single week. Meanwhile, Ohio State, they got blown out by Purdue, they staved off a two-point conversion against Maryland, they needed a big comeback against Penn State, I thought they got outplayed a little bit in the first three quarters against Indiana and Minnesota.

"TCU they needed three big plays in a five-play span to really turn that game around and turn it into a win. They weren’t as dominant as past Ohio State teams. They gave up over 400 yards on defense and offensively they had eight games they ran for 154 yards or less, but they will not get 50 touchdown passes like they had last year with Dwayne Haskins. They lose their outstanding head coach Urban Meyer, and their offensive line only has one returning starter coming back. That’s a little bit of a question.”

Steele also believes Michigan has a big advantage in quarterbacks. Shea Patterson returns to start for the Wolverines, who also have Dylan McCaffrey, Joe Milton and Cade McNamara. Ohio State likely will go with untested Justin Fields, but beyond Fields, the Buckeyes aren’t exactly loaded at the position. And this fall Michigan will be using a no-huddle offense installed by new coordinator Josh Gattis, and most believe Patterson will thrive in it.

“This offense is much more wide open,” Steele said. “You’re going to see more throwing, more rollouts, using his legs more.”

The Wolverines lose some key players on defense, including first-round NFL pick Devin Bush and Chase Winovich, but Steele likes the depth.

“When I look at Michigan, until those last two games last year, they had been pretty dominant, especially on the defensive side,” he said. “In fact, an amazing stat is that they gave up over 100 points their final two games yet only allowed 19.4 points on the season. That’s pretty good.

"Defensively, they lose some key players, but they’ve got five starters back and I’ve got big faith in (defensive coordinator) Don Brown. Don Brown every year produces a solid defense. They’ve got five starters back this year. Players like Kwity Paye I think will really emerge on the defensive line, Lavert Hill, one of the best cornerbacks in the country, Josh Metellus, one of the best strong safeties in the country and good depth at linebacker with Devin Gil and (Khaleke) Hudson. Overall, it will be your typical Don Brown defense.

“Offensively, Josh Gattis comes in and brings the spread to the offense, which I think is a big plus. It fits Shea Patterson like a glove. Patterson should thrive in this offense. He’s got the receivers to throw to, guys like Nico Collins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Tarik Black and the true freshman, Mike Sainristil, I think is going to have a big year this year, as well. You look at the running game, yes, they’re inexperienced there, but I like both Christian Turner and Zach Charbonnet. I think these two guys can step in, play well. They both have size you want.

"And how about that offensive line? They have four quality offensive linemen. Talking to coach Gattis and going over the offense with him, not big blocking scheme changes, I think this offense is going to be potent, the defense is going to be strong and I rate special teams No. 7 in the country, and then you look at the schedule this year.

"The toughest three games in my mind are Notre Dame, Michigan State and Ohio State. Michigan gets all three at home, and Jim Harbaugh is 24-4 at home, so add that all up, they have the talent and the schedule and for the first time in 12 years I’m actually calling for Michigan to top Ohio State. I’ve got them making them the playoff this year. This could be a special year.”

Michigan State’s defense will give teams fits again this year, and with a healthy offense, the Spartans could pose issues, Steele said.

“Last year, if you break down the offense, to me the major reason they struggled so much was the injuries,” he said. “They started a different offensive line it seemed like every game. The top receivers were going down to injury, their top running backs were banged up all season long.

"Brian Lewerke was never really 100 percent, only started 10 games, so each position got hit by injuries last year, and the result was a below-average offense. They only averaged 18.7 points per game. The bowl game was a bit of a nightmare. They struggled to move the ball and score and made some key mistakes and ended up losing despite their defense dominating the entire game.

“I do think they’re going to have an improved offense. They’ve got nine of those guys back, so if they could just stay on offense (longer) I think they will have much-improved offense, and that makes them dangerous because defensively, this team is loaded. They had the best run defense in college football last year.

"I’ve got Michigan State rated as the No. 3 defense in the country, and that makes them very dangerous when you have that type of defense. The reason I didn’t pick Michigan State higher in the national rankings is the schedule. They have to play Northwestern, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan all on the road this year. That’s a pretty tough schedule. Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin right there are three very tough games.”

achengelis@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @chengelis