National championship buzz surrounds the 2016 Michigan football team, but several elements could keep the Wolverines from even taking the Big Ten crown.

Those factors are both internal and external, including positional questions, execution issues and potential stumbling points on the schedule.

Fortunately for Michigan, its defense should be among the nation's best units—although depth and inexperience at linebacker is a legitimate early concern.

But that possible shortcoming will rarely be exploited. The key for the Wolverines is to address that problem before it matters late in the season—because the schedule is merciless.

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