Michigan Football: Analyst Names Five Wolverines To Midseason All-Big Ten Team

Michigan has been dominant on both sides of the ball through the first eight weeks of the season, leading five Wolverines to land on the midseason All-Big Ten team.

In spite of the off-season controversy currently surrounding the program, Michigan has been absolutely dominant through the first eight weeks of the college football season. The undefeated Wolverines are currently ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll, and will likely be one of the top four teams when the first College Football Playoff rankings are released on Oct. 31. 

Given the teams success so far, it's no surprise that a handful of Wolverines landed on a midseason All-Big Ten team. BTN's Adam Breneman recently released his selections for midseason All-Big Ten first-team offense and defense, and five Wolverines made the cut. 

🏆 @AdamBreneman81 is giving out Midseason @B1Gfootball awards❗️

What do you think of his First Team, Special Teams and Coach of the Year picks? pic.twitter.com/jJQgkJOiFI

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 27, 2023

Offense

• QB: JJ McCarthy
• OL: Zak Zinter
• OL: Drake Nugent 
• WR: Roman Wilson

Defense

• CB: Mike Sainristil 

Although the Wolverines who made the list are certainly more deserving, it definitely seems like there are some key players missing from the list - most notably running back Blake Corum. The senior running back ranks No. 1 in the nation in touchdowns (13), No. 5 within the conference in yards per game (75.6), and No. 6 in yards per carry (5.5). It's also worth noting that most of Corum's production has occurred within the first three quarters of play, all while splitting reps with junior running back Donovan Edwards. 

It's also a little surprising to see just one Michigan defender be named to the first-team, particularly when  the Michigan defense is arguably the best in the country. At the same time, the depth on the defensive side of the ball has allowed Michigan to constantly rotate players at all three levels throughout the game - which really speaks to how good the unit is as a whole. You know, that whole "wefense" thing.  

As for the players who made the list, it's not hard to see why. Junior quarterback JJ McCarthy is one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the nation, and his four touchdown performance against in-state rival Michigan State pushed him the front of the list as the betting favorite to win the Heisman trophy. 

On the offensive line, Zak Zinter is arguably the best offensive guard in the nation, while center Drake Nugent has filled in quite nicely for former Michigan center Olu Oluwatimi. 

Senior wideout Roman Wilson leads the Big Ten with 10 touchdown receptions through eight games, while also leading all Michigan wideouts in receptions (27) and receiving yards ( 446).

Graduate student Mike Sainristil has been stellar during his final year at Michigan, leading the Wolverines with 3 interceptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns. Sainristil is also eighth on the team in total tackles with 18 through eight weeks.