ANN ARBOR, Mich. – There are mixed expectations for Michigan football this season as Jim Harbaugh breaks in his youngest team yet.
On one hand, the Wolverines have won 10 games in each of Harbaugh's first two seasons, and the overall talent level has only increased. Contrarily, most of the group that flirted with the College Football Playoff last season has moved on to the NFL.
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If Michigan doesn't win a national championship, or even a Big Ten championship, can the season still be a success? Here are a few goals that could leave the Wolverines feeling good at season's end.
1. Average more than 5 yards per carry
Last time it happened: 2011 (5.2 yards per carry)
Since Denard Robinson left Ann Arbor, it's been an uphill battle for Michigan to field a formidable rushing attack.
Harbaugh's pro-style offense relies heavily on a strong running game, but Michigan fans haven't seen that come to fruition yet. Last year, an inability to run the ball doomed Michigan late in the season.
After a 9-0 start, the Wolverines lost three of four games down the stretch, averaging 2.8 yards per carry against Iowa, 2.1 yards per carry against Ohio State and 2.5 yards per carry against Florida State in the Orange Bowl.
If the offense was more effective running the ball late in games against Iowa and Ohio State, Michigan likely wouldn't have blown late leads and could have won the Big Ten East.
Three of last year's four playoff teams averaged well over 5 yards per carry. Running the football is one of the most important qualities for teams that hope to compete on a national level.
If Chris Evans, Karan Higdon, Ty Isaac and company can run the ball more effectively, it will take pressure off the passing game and the defense, both of which are loaded with young players.
2. Pick off more than 15 passes
Last time it happened: 2013 (17 interceptions)
The weakest unit on Michigan's roster is the secondary, which has to replace an All-American, two All-Big Ten Second Team members and an All-Big Ten honorable mention. Jourdan Lewis and Channing Stribling made up one of the best cornerback duos in the country last season, and Delano Hill and Dymonte Thomas were solid at safety.
But when Michigan takes the field Sept. 2 against Florida, there will be two new starting cornerbacks and safeties. It's a tough position for young players, but Michigan doesn't have another option.
Luckily for Michigan, Harbaugh addressed the weakness during recruiting. Will it be David Long and Lavert Hill taking over for the next three years? Will Ambry Thomas play as a true freshman? Who will fill in at safety?
No matter the answers to those questions, young defensive backs are going to make mistakes. What could make or break Michigan's season is whether they make enough big plays to overcome their lapses. Hill, Long and Thomas were big-time playmakers in high school, and if they can force turnovers, the defense might not drop off as much as people expect.
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Only 21 teams picked off more than 15 passes last season. If Michigan can get into that group, the defense could be a pleasant surprise.
3. Bring Big Ten Freshman of the Year award back to Ann Arbor
Last time it happened: 2015 (Jabrill Peppers)
No other team in the Big Ten will start as many freshmen as Michigan this season, so the Wolverines will likely need at least one of those young players to provide a huge, unexpected boost.
The Big Ten Freshman of the Year award has floated between Colombus and Ann Arbor the last few years, with J.T. Barrett winning in 2014, Jabrill Peppers in 2015 and Mike Weber in 2016.
Who could do it for Michigan?
Historically, the award has gone to the most impactful offensive freshman in the conference. In the last 20 years, six quarterbacks, nine running backs, one wide receiver and four defensive players have won the award.
Donovan Peoples-Jones is the safest choice. As the No. 1 wide receiver recruit in the nation, he might even be the favorite to win the award, especially with so many holes to fill in Michigan's passing game.
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Tarik Black is another receiver to watch. A four-star recruit and the No. 1 player out of Connecticut, Black was even more impressive than Peoples-Jones during the spring game, and could be a potential break-out candidate.
Don't forget about Kareem Walker, either. The redshirt freshman is flying under the radar after sitting out last year, but he came to Ann Arbor as a five-star recruit who perfectly fits Harbaugh's ground-and-pound system. If he works his way up the depth chart, he could be the perfect complement to Evans in the backfield.
4. Beat Ohio State
Last time it happened: 2011 (Michigan 40, Ohio State 34)
If all else fails, beating Ohio State would at least give Michigan something to hang its hat on this season, especially with most of the team coming back in 2018.
The Wolverines have lost five straight games to their biggest rival, and the last time the matchup happened in Ann Arbor, Michigan lost by 29 points.
It really helps that the game is played at the end of the year, as Michigan's young players will have 11 games under their belts. They'll have played against SEC East champion Florida, in-state rival Michigan State and on the road against top-10 opponents in Penn State and Wisconsin.
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There's no reason Michigan shouldn't beat Ohio State on its own turf. Harbaugh has dropped the first two games against the Buckeyes, and with the game heading back to Columbus next year, he can't afford to lose this one.
5. Win every home game (again)
Last time it happened: 2016 (8-0)
Finishing last season undefeated at home was a remarkable accomplishment for Michigan, especially since it played eight games in Ann Arbor. This year, there's only one major roadblock to doing so again.
The Wolverines will only play six games in the Big House this season, and they'll be heavily favored in five of them. Cincinnati, Air Force, Michigan State and Minnesota won't be pushovers, but Michigan should definitely win those games at home.
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Rutgers, well, that game could get ugly. Michigan put a 78-0 hurting on Chris Ash's team on the road last year.
It basically comes down to Ohio State, so if Michigan can accomplish goal No. 2, it should be able to stay perfect in front of the home fans.
With three of its toughest tests -- Florida, Penn State and Wisconsin -- away from Ann Arbor, Michigan can't afford to waste home-field advantage.