Michigan Wolverines football vs. ECU: Top game day storylines to watch

Today is the day for the Michigan Wolverines football program and its fans to finally reconvene in Ann Arbor! This afternoon, the Maize and Blue will take the field against East Carolina (12:00 PM, EST) for the 2023 season opener. With the Wolverines entering this game as massive betting favorites, here are the top storylines to watch for Michigan fans.

Top Michigan Wolverines football storylines for the 2023 season opener against East Carolina

1. Injuries — who is out, who will play?

There are a number of injuries for Michigan Wolverines football today, though it is still uncertain who will play and who will sit. For the Wolverines, a few of the team’s top players are banged up right now — Rod Moore, Makari Paige, Tyler Morris, Amorion Walker, and more, just to name a few. We will have an injury report later today, so keep an eye on who plays and who sits heading into the 2023 season opener against East Carolina.

2. No Jim Harbaugh — what is the impact on the Wolverines?

For the first time since he was hired in late 2014, Michigan Wolverines football will be without head coach Jim Harbaugh (9th season) later today. This is due to a three-game suspension that was self-imposed by the University of Michigan last month. Today, perhaps the most important storyline to watch is to see how Michigan football responds to losing Harbaugh against ECU.

3. How will new transfers and freshmen step up?

Today, a lot of new faces are taking the field in the Maize and Blue for the first time. Transfers like Drake Nugent, Josh Wallace, and others are likely to start, while rising star freshmen, such as Fredrick Moore and Benjamin Hall, are bound to see some solid in-game action against East Carolina. A major storyline to watch will be seeing how these new faces do during their first contest in Ann Arbor.

4. Can the passing attack take the next step?

It has been quite some time since Michigan Wolverines football really opened up the passing attack in full force early in the season, though that may be the case later today. The Wolverines have JJ McCarthy under center, and QB coach Kirk Campbell calling plays today, and when facing ECU’s abysmal passing defense, it would make sense to let McCarthy get loose and see what he’s got.

5. Is Michigan football defensive play-caller Jesse Minter head coach material?

Jesse Minter is one of the favorite assistants on the Michigan Wolverines football coaching staff. Minter, a second-year Wolverine, will be the interim head coach today; seeing as he is a highly-regarded assistant, a good showing could earn him some national looks for a head coaching position down the road.

6. How do Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards bounce back from injury?

Over the 2023 offseason, both Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards — two elite Michigan football running backs — had surgery. Today, for the first time since going through surgery and recovery, these two will take the field for the Wolverines once again. It’s worth keeping an eye on both of them as they bounce back and shake off the rust heading into the 2023 season.

7. Is momentum carrying over for Michigan Wolverines football against East Carolina in the 2023 season opener?

Last year, Michigan Wolverines football ended the season on a low note; however, the amount of momentum that the Wolverines are said to have right now is remarkable. Today, we will get to see whether all of this momentum is just preseason hype or if Michigan football is actually attacking the 2023 season with passion and force. Due to injuries and suspensions, I am not expecting a drastic score, but anything less than a Week 1 blowout win against ECU would be seen as a failure in Ann Arbor.

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