How will Tarik Blacks return impact our offense?

Positively 

Of course, there should be some more 3-WR plays because all of them can go deep, drag through the middle, or stay shallow to kill a soft zone.  It's disgusting how many options this offense will have.  But the main thrust of the Harbaughffense is controlling play via rushing and time of possession.  Getting another very good WR softens up the safeties that much more.  I can see another gain in ToP and another 5 points added to the average score.

There is no such thing as 'Michigan in a shootout' with Don Brown's defense.  If Harbaugh's offense has the ball for 35-40 minutes, they don't need to score a lot.  They just will.

I wish I knew. I honestly will be happy to find out. It seems we've barely even seen Tarik. I hope he makes fantastic impact on the offense.

If he's truly our best WR, expect to see less of Grant Perry, and even less of Ronnie Bell (who I have loved since seeing his recruiting film--very excited for his future).  I guess it will be difficult for Oliver Martin, Nate Schoenle, and Jake McCurry to get any non-garbage time snaps.

Probably in the Red Zone and on passing downs. He is the best receiver at contested catches and those two areas feature the most contested catches. Also in when we go with spread looks, you can put him or DPJ inside instead of Perry/Martin creating a vertical threat in the slot. 

I'd say he rotates in Collins and takes away some of his snaps.  But, I'd be surprised if he's back to normal starter snaps this season.  I bet he will be quite limited until OSU and even then only play half starter snaps.  Maybe he be 100% by the bowl game.

Hopefully it helps on 3rd and long.  I remember one such play Saturday where they showed the WRs, they all ran deep routes and then proceeded to stand around as Shea was scrambling looking for someone to throw to.

Have we seen Black, DPJ, and Collins on the field at the same time? Them plus Perry and Gentry in empty back sets would be glorious, especially with Shea's legs. I also love the idea of coming out in 21/22 personnel with Black and DPJ then splitting out the TEs and going to the gun, especially if the safeties and LBs on the other team aren't exactly killing it (Yes you, OSU).

5 wide.

Tarik Black has only played 3 college football games in his life. He has 11 career catches. By comparison, Nico Collins now has a resume doubling Black's career numbers. Collins at this point is more experienced and more familiar with this QB and this version of the offense. Tarik Black, as good as he was initially, is coming off of two foot surgeries. He was definitely ahead of Collins and DPJ out of the gate in 2017. There is no certainty that is still the case.

It feels like everyone expecting to add Randy Moss to this offense. My fingers are crossed that he comes back without missing a beat. However, that seems like a bold expectation for a guy we haven't seen for 14 months. I'll be happy with his addition to the WR rotation in any capacity.

I'm a bit disappointed in the McKeon this season, seemed like his blocking was better last year. Wouldn't mind seeing a TE replaced with a WR and having more quick hitter passes, which also plays to Shea's strength.

It creates less predictability in the offense. By having either DPJ/Collins/Black in at all times means you have to defend the WHOLE field on every down. If Martin and Perry are in, they are less likely to go deep or blow by you. If a package rolls out of DPJ/Collins/Black/Gentry............. That could be interesting.

Just depth.  I think Bell has looked good in his appearances and Collins/DPJ have the starting spots locked down.

No need for route trees now. Just throw it up in the general direction of one of your WR's and let them go get it.

He should help, but let's pump the brakes just a bit. Not only does he have to get back into game shape, but he also has to develop chemistry with Shea. Tarik showed he is an exceptional route runner, so I imagine he will need some time to get those cleaned up as well. If he plays against PSU, Black should be in good form for OSU.

I suspect Harbaugh will be VERY cautious with him and his return. Maybe a few plays against PSU then build his load against Rutgers (if we throw it more than 10 times) and Indiana. 

I suppose we will see soon.

Black is the key to Shea's Rudockening.

I imagine he'll rotate in using 1/4-1/3 of the Collins/DPJ snaps and get immersed in the offense slowly.  Then, by the OSU game, all bets are off.

He will stretch the field a bit more and can help take the top off the defense, opening up for draws/screens in the running game.  Also he's a home run threat.  It also makes defense planning for opposing teams a nightmare and they will have to pick their poison with who they need to cover with what and can no longer double team if we go 3 or 4 wide.

FTR, I do not agree that DPJ and Collins and Perry have been "good." The team is good so complaining is churlish but I think we all can agree that if there are worries they are about the passing game. Which has been mostly secondary to the running game and inconsistent when required.

This could be because Patterson won't take the chances that are required to make the plays. But prior to the MSU game, it felt to me like the issue in the passing game was the lack of utilization of the WR. Instead they throw to TEs and FBs. I had come around to the idea that maybe the WR just weren't that good yet.

When he has been on the field Black has been the best WR by a wide margin. When he went down, both times, it was acknowledged that they had lost their best WR. The only one that had any kind of track record of success. That still remains true. I expect a healthy Black to be a significant upgrade at WR.

I don't think they throw the ball enough for it to make a noticeable difference. Can't hurt though.

I'm guessing he eats into Nico's minutes.  Last year (pre injury) Black was the only one who could consistently get open.  I see black and Nico as both being able to take the top off a defense.  The difference is Nico is more of a straight line runner where Black is the complete package.

Probably some formations with Nico and Black on the outside and DPJ in slot as well.  I would expect blacks return to explore the deep middle of the field.

All I know is it'll be great to see Tarik on the field again.  I have a fading, yet great, memory of him getting behind a CB for a TD.  Hope to see a lot more of that soon!

Our new offense will be 4 Ent Verticals on every play. How could you stop Nico, DPJ, Black, and Gentry running this? Hell, go 5 wide and use Evans for an outlet. 

There's more than one Tarik Black?

I think it opens up the offense quite a bit when the D's third best DB now needs to cover Collins instead of their second best DB. Also, Black looked better in his first four games as a true Freshman than either DPJ or Collins have looked all season. That's not a knock on either guy; it's just reality that Black is a better WR than either of them. I'm sure Black will need a few weeks to get fully up to speed but he should go into Columbus as the #1 target at WR. 

It will impact it well