Michigan is coming off a disappointing 8-5 season in 2017, and Jim Harbaugh enters a pivotal fourth year with the Wolverines.The most-heard criticisms of Harbaugh are hisinability to finish higher than third in the Big Ten East Division and Michigan's 1-5 record against rivals Michigan State and Ohio State. It won't be easy to silence the critics against a schedule that features four top-10 opponents, but Ole Mi s transfer quarterback if ruled eligible by the NCAA. Regardle s, the entire offense needs to be better for the Wolverines to deliver a better finish in 2018.MORE: Michigan opens the season ranked No. 12 in thanks to Patterson's presence. Michigan has the talent, especially on a defense led by defensive Steve Cishek Jersey coordinator Don Brown and defensive studs Rashan Gary and Chase Winovich.Here's an Greg Maddux Jersey early look at the Wolverines:Michigan football schedule 2018DateOpponentLocationApril 14Michigan spring gameAnn Arbor, Mich.Sept. 1at No. 9 Notre DameNotre Dame, Ind.Sept. 8Western MichiganAnn Arbor, Mich.Sept. 15SMUAnn Arbor, Mich.Sept. 22NebraskaAnn Arbor, Mich.Sept. 29at NorthwesternEvanston, Ill.Oct. 6MarylandAnn Arbor, Mich.Oct. 13No. 6 WisconsinAnn Arbor, Mich.Oct. 20at No. 16 Michigan StateEast Lansing, Mich.Oct. 27ByeOffNov. 3No. 10 Penn StateAnn Arbor, Mich.Nov. 10at RutgersPiscataway, N.J.Nov. 17IndianaAnn Arbor, Mich.Nov. 24at No. 4 Ohio StateColumbus, OhioDec. 1Big Ten championshipIndianapolisGames in bold denote Big Ten gamesMichigan football recruiting 2018Michigan's ranked No. 21 according to 247Sports' Composite team rankings, a drop-off after back-to-back top-10 cla ses. Four-star quarterback Joe Milton (Olympia, Orlando, Fla.) is already on campus, and the cla s also features four-star impact players in defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (Divine Child, Dearborn, Mich.), linebacker Cameron McGrone (Lawrence Central, Indianapolis) and tight end Mustapha Muhammad (Ridge Point, Mi souri City, Texas). Don't be surprised if those three see early playing time.MORE: Michiganfootball roster 2018Michigan's football roster will be updated in the spring. Last year's roster can be seen .What Ben Zobrist Jersey to watch in 20181. Will Patterson play?Michigan is waiting for a ruling on Patterson, a former five-star quarterback who showed play-making ability at Ole Mi s the last two seasons. Michigan quarterbacks Wilton Speight, John O'Korn and Brandon Peters combined for 2,023 yards, nine touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2017. Peters will compete for the starting job along with redshirt-freshman Dylan McCaffrey, but this is the most depth Michigan has had at quarterback since Harbaugh arrived. This is the position where theWolverines have laggedbehind the Buckeyes most.2. What Jose Quintana Jersey about the rest of the offense?Quarterback isn't the only i sue: A group of young receivers led by Tarik Black and Donovan Peoples-Jones must take the next step as well. Running back Karan Higdon finished with 994 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns last year, but the Wolverines couldn't run the football in big games. The offensive line needs to be better at every position, and a well-compensated offensive staff must deliver. That means more from offensive coordinator Tim Drevno and pa sing game coordinator Pep Hamilton. Michigan reportedly is bringing on former Florida coach Jim McElwain as an a sistant coach as well. The Wolverines ranked 91st in the FBS in scoring offense last season (25.2 points per game); that simply can' Ryne Sandberg Jersey t happen again.3. How many wins beats the heat? Look at that schedule one more time. Michigan plays at Notre Dame, Michigan State and Ohio State. Since Lloyd Carr retired after the 2007 season, Michigan is 2-12 on the road against those teams andthe Wolverines haven't won in Columbus since 2000. On top of that, the home schedule features Penn State and cro sover games against Nebraska, Northwestern and Wisconsin. It's brutal, but at least five of the first seven games are at home. A 10-win season would silence some critics, but it's never about the wins with Harbaugh. The lo ses get much more attention.