ANN ARBOR, Mich. – There are 25 players on the Michigan football roster who received scholarship offers from Minnesota during their recruiting processes. TE Erick AllRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. OL Karsen BarnhartRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. HenningRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. DL Luiji VilainRecruiting profile: 4-star, No.

Michigan has often been ranked among the top five or 10 teams in the country, and that’s thanks to strong defensive performances. Kwity Paye #19 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to sack Peyton Ramsey #12 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. According to Harbaugh, they’ve only gotten better this offseason, and if Michigan can get some help from the defensive tackles, it’ll make their jobs even easier. READ: Defensive line is X-factor for Michigan against quarterback-loaded scheduleWith a less experienced secondary -- particularly at cornerback -- Hutchinson and Paye will be more important than ever. Defensive tacklesStarters: Carlo Kemp and Chris HintonConfidence: 100% and 95%Kemp will be one of the starters at defensive tackle -- that’s a slam dunk.

As a potential first-round draft pick, Mayfield certainly belongs in Michigan’s MVP conversation, even though he won’t stuff any stat sheets as an O-lineman. Even if he doesn’t ultimately win team MVP, Mayfield could end up being the most important player. LB Cam McGroneCameron McGrone #44 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates a fourth quarter sack against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Michigan Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. DE Kwity PayeKwity Paye #19 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to sack Peyton Ramsey #12 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Then they would both be candidates for team MVP.

Penn State sprinted out to a 21-0 lead, making the game look a lot like the Wisconsin blowout from earlier in the year. Michigan outplayed Penn State for the majority of the game. Michigan never fumbled against Penn State, turning the ball over just once on the intercepted screen pass. He had another massive game against Penn State, making six tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. HealthMichigan entered the Penn State game with its fewest injuries of the season and seemingly left without any major issues.

Shea Patterson #2 of the Michigan Wolverines throws a first quarter pass against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Michigan Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Only Ohio State has more sacks than Penn State this season, and the Nittany Lions rank No. Against Penn State, Michigan shouldn't waste any time doing so. Those pieces just haven't been properly arranged yet, and that's a hard feat to pull off against Penn State. It could happen this weekend at Penn State, but Michigan needs to do everything just right.

Cameron McGrone #44 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates a fourth quarter sack against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Michigan Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is sacked by Jordan Glasgow #29 of the Michigan Wolverines in the fourth quarter at Michigan Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Speed at defensive weak pointsComing into the season, Michigan had major questions at linebacker and safety. Nico Collins #4 of the Michigan Wolverines makes a first quarter catch against D.J. Shea Patterson #2 of the Michigan Wolverines throws a second quarter pass against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Michigan Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Daxton Hill #30 of the Michigan Wolverines carries the ball after making a catch against the Army Black Knights on a fake punt during the first half at Michigan Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. There were some obvious changes when Rutgers came to town, namely the presence of Cam McGrone at the middle linebacker position. Defensive coordinator Don Brown of the Michigan Wolverines look on during the second half while playing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Safety Daxton Hill was on the field much more than usual, making four tackles and getting in on a sack. Defensive coordinator Don Brown of the Michigan Wolverines leaves the field after a 52-0 win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh leaves the field after a 42-21 win over Maryland on Oct. 6, 2018, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. Carlo Kemp celebrates a win over Michigan State at Spartan Stadium on Oct. 20, 2018 in East Lansing. Josh Ross tackles Avery Davis of Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium on Sept. 1, 2018, in South Bend, Indiana. Redshirt freshmenMichigan's 2018 recruiting class was ranked outside the top 20 in the nation, but there were a handful of four-star recruits who could step into bigger roles this season. 5 player from the state of Michigan in 2017 and has appeared in 17 games his first two seasons.

(Joe Robbins/Getty Images)ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Michigan football season will kick off six weeks from Saturday, but the Wolverines still have plenty to figure out before that point. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)Cam McGrone redshirted last season but was one of the top linebackers in the 2018 recruiting class. Michigan has two good options at right tackle with redshirt sophomore Andrew Stueber battling redshirt freshman Jalen Mayfield. Nordin has a huge leg and converted 19 of 24 field goals as a redshirt freshman, so he has shown he can be a successful college kicker. Michigan Wolverines place kicker Jake Moody (2) kicks an extra point during a game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Michigan Wolverines (4) on November 17, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan.