MOD EDIT - Normally would not meddle in these, but this seems diary-worthy. - LSA

We're here now.  Michigan will finish in the top 11 and likely top 10.  We went from 5-7 to 10-3 in a year.  We lost to Staee on the "flukiest of flukes" and to the 2nd best team in college football.   We have the coach of our dreams and an absolutely stacked roster coming back next season.  If the excitement you felt today felt like fool's gold....it's not.  Not only is Michigan a legit top 10 team.....they are Playoff Contenders as of Fall '16.  Before you call me an idiot....let me tell you why.

Michigan returns 3 experienced quarterbacks in '16 along with a prized freshman recruit in Brandon Peters.  If you haven't watched his film.....Nike. (Just Do It)    

Michigan returns 9 rotation Offensive Lineman and every running back not named Derrick Green on the roster.  Kingston Davis may start Day one (FB) at an athletic 6ft 240. The additions of Kareem Walker and a terrific Oline class only add to cupboard.  

Michigan returns every noteable pass-catcher in '16 including Chesson and Butt who will be All-B1G and fringe national AAs.  Cole will come off of his "injury" lol and Hawkins and Mitchell will add to the depth of this group.  We have 3 possible slot types in the class and were looking good for Dylan Crawford which would give us 2 top 25 recievers in this class.  

Michigan also returns Kicker Kenny....which is a big deal.  In a jam he could also punt.  I don't want to say that P-word again so I won't.....but yeah kicking should be solid next season.  

Let's go ahead and jump to the defensive side of the ball.  I'm familiar with Don Brown as an FSU football alum and he is a terrific coordinator.  BC does NOT have ELITE athletes and they still remain a top if not the top defense in the power 5.  Don has been driving a Honda and now will get the keys to a Porsche.  

Michigan is returning their entire Defensive Line, which has been outstanding for most of the year.  Add Glasgow back to the mix as well as Mone who was a starter before his injury and you have incredible depth and strength.  Wormley, Glasgow, Mone, Henry all appear to be all B1G level.  Rueben Jones, Shelton Johnson, Lawrence Marshall and Taco Charlton will be explosive in '16.  Ron Johnson the prized freshman recruit is dominating the SF practices to boot.  Have fun being an opposing QB against us in '16-?  

The Linebacking corps is going to be the one question mark....but there are athletic bodies to insert where Morgan, Ross and Bolden depart.   These guys lacked elite athleticism to be honest and hurt us in spots but played some solid football.  Allen Gant, Mike McCray, Ben Gedeon, Noah Furbush and Jared Wrangler should be able to replicate their production.  Bush Jr. has a great opportunity to play early next season and we are still in on some big time kids in this cycle.  All in all, I would venture that we could get creative with our linebacking in 2016 and possible convert one of the redshirted FLorida D ends or Lawrence Marshall and up the level of athleticism at this postion.  I don't see a decline in our linebacking in '16 and i think Coach Brown's comments eluding to change coming to the defense are directed here.  Linebacking is where we were weak in '15.  That is going to change.

The secondary does lose Jarod WIlson, who was quality.  Dymonte, Jabril, Jourdan, Stribling, D. Hill and J. Clark all return.  Look for K. Washington and B. Watson to make some leaps as well.  I really like our chances with the Californian David Long and believe him to be an elite corner.  Jack Jones is a bit far-fetched but possible.  With a few additions, you may be looking at a top 10 secondary nationally, although much of this depends on Stribling's development or the readiness of D. Long should we land him.  Peppers is an absolute stud and simply needs to work on his ball skills.  He is going to be an All American next season and can line up at about 4 or 5 positions on the field.  

Michigan State loses a lot this year on both offense and defense.  Cook was their team.  His top targets are also leaving including a couple of his linemen.  Staee will be good but we will simply have more than them next season.  Their losses on defense will be substantial and although M. Nicholson is a stud...their secondary has taken a step back and that renders them very mortal defensively.

Ohio State is about to see a complete MASS EXODUS.  They are losing a metric ton of talent and I'm not convinced they have similar talent waiting in the wings.  There was a significant talent gap between us and them this season and i think it will be bridged rapidly in '16.  B. Miller, E. Elliot, C. Jones, M. Thomas, C. Smith, N. Vannet and 4 starting linemen are all graduating or likely gone......off of the Offense alone.   On Defense theyre losing, J. Bosa, A. Washington, T. Schutt, J. Perry, D. Lee, C. Williams, V. Bell, E. Apple.  Safety T. Powell has a decision to make and Bell and Apple are viewed as likley entries and not in stone.  That is a massive amount of talent to lose.  Ohio has solid talent to fill it...but these are significant losses.  Ohio State also has road games @ Oklahoma, @Wisconsin, @Penn State along with Michigan and Michigan State at home.  So long cupcake schedule....it must have been nice.  

Michigan has 5 consecutive home games in '16 including Wisconsin and Penn State to start the B1G Schedule.  I love our chances in East Lansing and Iowa City.  I really like our chances in Columbus.  I just don't see a clear loss on the schedule.  Word on the street is that O'korn is the real deal and will be tough to beat for the qb job in '16.  Watch his Freshman film and it will excite you.  The national picture opens up a bit for Michigan in '16.  We will start in the top 10 and have a tremendous chance to finish in the top 4.  I think it happens and I see Michigan in this FInal Four group:  Michigan. Oklahoma.  FSU.  Stanford.  

*I think the SEC canibalizes itself and Bama won't have a ready made transfer in Jacob Coker (FSU) to rescue them next year.  

Way too early projected starters for 2016:

QB:  John O'korn

RB: Deveon Smith 

FB:  Henry Poggi

WR:  Jehu Chesson, Amarah Darboh, Grant Perry/ J. Peppers (yup...went there)

TE: Jake Butt

OTs: Mason Cole, Ben Braden/ Grant Newson

OGs:  Kyle Kalis, Eric Magnuson

C:  Patrick Kugler

DEs:  T. Charlton/R. Gary , C. Wormley/ L. Marshall

DTs: B. Mone/Glasgow, W. Henry/R. Gary

LBs: M. McCray, B. Gedeon, N. Furbush/ A. Gant

FS/SS: Dymonte Thomas, Jabril Peppers

Corners: Jourdan Lewis, Channing Stribling

Harbaugh has changed the culture of Michigan in just one year.  He has added depth and increased the talent pool.  The class this year is going to be elite.  The talent bar is being raised and his coaching ability is beyond question.  The momentum is real right now and I absolutely envision Michigan as a Playoff Contender in '16.  The future Michigan classes will feature better athletes and have a more Southern feel.  This is what i think will put the program over the edge and back into the year in and year out National Contention.  It's happening and it is beautiful.  I watched Jimbo Fisher change first the culture and then the talent level of the program in Tallahassee.  It was pretty rapid and I'm reminded of it by whats going on in Ann Arbor now.  The new Jumpman unis are also going to be a big deal.  Maybe not to 40-60 year old men who care NOT for current style and "Swag", but for young recruits and college age kids....this is EPIC.  It's a great time to be a Wolverine and this season was just a taste of whats to come when you start reading the fine print of the program and look realistically at what we have coming back next year.   The Hostile Takeover commences in 8 months.  Go Blue!