2019 Michigan Wolverines football team

2019 Michigan Wolverines football
Citrus Bowl, L 16–35 vs. Alabama
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
DivisionEast Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 19
APNo. 18
Record9–4 (6–3 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJosh Gattis (1st season)
Offensive schemePro spread
Defensive coordinatorDon Brown (4th season)
Base defense4–3
MVPShea Patterson
Captains
Home stadiumMichigan Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 2018
2020 →
2019 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
No. 3 Ohio State xy$^   9 0     13 1  
No. 9 Penn State   7 2     11 2  
No. 18 Michigan   6 3     9 4  
Indiana   5 4     8 5  
Michigan State   4 5     7 6  
Maryland   1 8     3 9  
Rutgers   0 9     2 10  
West Division
No. 11 Wisconsin xy   7 2     10 4  
No. 10 Minnesota x   7 2     11 2  
No. 15 Iowa   6 3     10 3  
Illinois   4 5     6 7  
Purdue   3 6     4 8  
Nebraska   3 6     5 7  
Northwestern   1 8     3 9  
Championship: Ohio State 34, Wisconsin 21
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2019 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the sport of college football during the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolverines competed in the East Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan was coached by Jim Harbaugh, who was in his fifth season.

Coming off a Peach Bowl appearance in 2018, Michigan began the year as slight favorites to win the Big Ten Conference, and were ranked seventh in the preseason AP Poll. Under the leadership of new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, the Wolverine offense struggled in the early part of the season. In the second game of the year, Michigan escaped with an overtime win against Army. Two weeks later, the team was soundly defeated by Wisconsin, 35–14. Analysts saw as a turning point for the offense its second half performance against then-No. 7 Penn State, but Michigan's comeback attempt failed as it lost 28–21. The team defeated rivals Notre Dame and Michigan State in blowouts at home, but ended the regular season with a loss to Ohio State, its eighth straight loss in the series. Michigan was invited to the Citrus Bowl to play Alabama, where it lost 35–16 to end the year at 9–4, 6–3 in Big Ten play.

The offense was led by senior quarterback Shea Patterson, who became just the third Wolverine passer to ever eclipse the 3,000 yards passing mark. Offensive linemen Ben Bredeson and Jon Runyan Jr. were both named first-team all-conference. The defense was led by first-team all-conference cornerback Lavert Hill, as well as second-team selections Kwity Paye and Josh Uche on the defensive line, and linebacker Khaleke Hudson.