A year ago, Michigan entered the season as the preseason favorite to win the B1G because of it’s stout offensive line, a loaded wide receiver room and a returning starting quarterback. The story is much different in 2020, though, as the Wolverines are replacing most of that entering this season.

Obviously, Michigan failed to live up to the hype a year ago. And now, heading into Jim Harbaugh’s sixth season, FOX analysts Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart believe U-M is the biggest question mark in the B1G.

“I think the biggest question mark for me is Michigan,” Bush said on Saturday’s Big Noon Kickoff pregame show. “Are they going to be better this year? When I look at this schedule they have in front of the, it’s a very tough schedule. They start off at Minnesota, they have Penn State at home, they have Wisconsin at home and they end at Ohio State. Here’s the issue, you’re only playing eight games and that’s four potential losses right there. Jim Harbuagh is also going into the final year of his contract. That could affect recruiting.”

Leinart believes that Michigan’s success is likely dependent on the quarterback position.

With Shea Patterson gone and Dylan McCaffrey opting out and transferring, Joe Milton is now No. 1 on the depth chart. He’s played in a few games during his career in Ann Arbor, but leading an offense will be a new role for the QB.

“All eyes are going to be on the quarterback Joe Milton who takes over,” Leinart said. “I thought Shea Patterson was a good player for them but Joe Milton gives them a skillset they have not seen before at this position. He’s 6-6, 240, coach [Urban Meyer] says he reminds him a little bit of Cam Newton the way he looks and the way he moves. He has an absolute cannon. Think Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes. He can throw the ball 70-75 yard down field. They haven’t had a quarterback who can stretch the field. He’s unknown. There’s a lot of questions. Josh Gattis, his second year calling plays, can he elevate that football team and have that team compete for a B1G championship?”

It’s a year of a lot of transition for the Wolverines and they’ll be a team to keep an eye on all season long.

Michigan opens the year on the road with a rivalry game against Minnesota for the Little Brown Jug. The game is set for Saturday, Oct. 24.