Predicting all 26 Michigan football starters

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Michigan football team is set to kick off the season Saturday at home against Middle Tennessee State.

Jim Harbaugh's team has high expectations heading into his fifth year as head coach. Michigan is ranked No. 7 in both preseason polls and was picked by writers as the favorite to win the Big Ten.

Many of the players who led Michigan to a 10-3 record last season have returned, but there will also be new faces contributing on both sides of the ball. Harbaugh has piled up strong recruiting classes over the last four years, building critical depth that should be able to lessen the blow of losing NFL talent.

Here's what Michigan's starting offense, defense and special teams could look like Saturday.

More Michigan football stories:

• 9 former 4-star recruits who could break out for Michigan this season
• Toughest game on the schedule that most people aren't talking about
• How dangerous are this season's five road games?
• 11 candidates to be Michigan's best player this season