The offseason has been filled with questions, debate, and prognostication. Reality will hit as Michigan Football takes the field for the first time against Fresno State on Saturday.

Some questions have been answered, many debates still rage, and narratives are on the line until kickoff.

Here are five storylines to watch in Michigan's season opener against Fresno State.

It's been the storyline of the entire offseason and will be for the season opener as well.

Beyond who is the starter, with the expectation both quarterbacks play the biggest storyline will now be HOW they play. What does the Michigan offense look like in its first action without J.J. McCarthy?

Winning game 1 is the obvious goal, but it's hard not to look ahead to Texas, especially regarding the quarterback play. How Warren and Orji are used throughout the game, when they are used, and what the offense looks like when they are in could set the tone for rest of the season.

If there is any position group that gets the benefit of the doubt from this coaching staff, it's the offensive line. Since Moore took over in 2021, the O-line has been this team's consistent strength. Every year, it seems there is some debate or concern about a new starter or who will step up in a certain spot.

This year is unique, with five new starters. Yes, Hinton started at RT last season and brings experience. The same is true with the transfer of Josh Priebe to LG. Giovanni El-Hadi has been considered starter caliber for the last two seasons. But how this new group of five works together will be a major storyline on Saturday.

The staff is confident they have found depth, and if you have to believe them with Dom Giudice and Evan Link now thought to be starters at center and right tackle, respectively. Will we see different players rotate on Saturday? Lots to watch with the men up front

The entire theme on offense is about new starters and who steps up. Regarding the weapons on offense, there is plenty of returning talent.

Led by RB Donovan Edwards and TE Colston Loveland, who figure to be the two most important pieces in all facets of the offense. Loveland could finish the team's top receiving target, but at wide receiver, Tyler Morris and Semaj Morgan each are being asked to step up from contributing roles to top-line contributors.

Who rises from the depth of talent behind them is the question. At running back Kalel Mullings, Benjamin Hall, and freshman Jordan Marshall look to carve out roles. With the wideouts, Fred Moore and transfer CJ Charleston are expected to be the next men up, but a breakout could come from a group that includes Amorion Walker, Kendrick Bell, and Channing Goodwin. Marlin Klein is well-hyped coming out of fall camp at tight end, but sophomores Deakon Tonielli and Zach Marshall hope to break through.

In 2022, we heard all about the No Star Defense—a group better as a complete unit than any individual player. While the theme of a complete unit will continue under new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, there certainly are stars to be seen.

An incredible group of juniors lead this defense. Will Johnson, Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Derrick Moore, Jaishawn Barham, and Ernest Hausmann are the leaders of what is expected to be another elite defense. Zeke Berry, who is getting the start at nickel, and Jyaire Hill at CB2 are other young players looking to join the ranks of the best players in the defense.

But there is also experience with veterans Makari Paige, Quinten Johnson, and Wesley Walker at safety. Yes, Michigan has lost some high-end talent from this group, but if they find the depth to rotate, many around the program believe this could be the best defense since the change to this scheme in 2021.

It's not just roster turnover, as the coaching staff begins a new era under head coach Sherrone Moore.

Much of the culture and principles that built Michigan's success in the last three seasons are still here. Moore, still armed with a fair share of Harbaughisms, looks to continue that success while also putting his fingerprints on what is now his program.

For coordinators, they are new but not different. Kirk Campbell takes over an offense he helped shape as QB coach and pass game coordinator. Moore will let Campbell call plays, so while Smash will continue to be the mantra of the offense, there could be new looks in the passing game.

On defense, after three seasons with Mike Macdonald and Jesse Minter, Michigan turns to the architect of this defensive scheme. The self-proclaimed "OG," Wink Martindale, returns to college for the first time since 2003. Martindale has coached some of the best players in NFL history and the best defenses the league has seen in the modern era. But he has never walked into a situation with a team already built for his scheme with all the talent and versatility you could hope for.

---

Discuss this article with our community on our premium message boards

Not a subscriber to Maize & Blue Review? Sign up today to gain access to all the latest Michigan intel M&BR has to offer

Follow our staff on Twitter: @JoshHenschke, @Berry_Seth14, @TrevorMcCue, @DennisFithian, @BrockHeilig, @JimScarcelli, @Jerry_Diorio

Subscribe to our podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify

Check out Maize & Blue Review's video content on YouTube

Follow Maize & Blue Review on social media: Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram