The schedule
Let’s face it: Michigan’s schedule will always be tough given the level of play in the Big Ten East. Ohio State and Penn State are always challenges, and Michigan State should eventually get better under new head coach Mel Tucker — but that remains to be seen at this point.
The Wolverines open the season by traveling to Washington, a team that didn’t finish 2019 ranked, and brings in a new head coach in Jimmy Lake and a new starting quarterback with Jacob Eason departing for the NFL Draft. Michigan hasn’t played well on the road in recent memory, but those who discount this one because of the West Coast factor, well, it’s been over a decade since the Wolverines played in the Pacific Time Zone. Overall, Michigan should be the better team, and one more well-equipped. It just has to do something it hasn’t done much of in recent times, which is go and beat a solid team in their own house.
The other two non-conference games against Ball State and Arkansas State should be easy wins.
Then, the Wolverines host a Wisconsin team that it’s beaten at home every year since Jim Harbaugh arrived. Gone is Jonathan Taylor and some other big playmakers. The Badgers should be good, but if the trends continue, Michigan should be ready. After that, another loss from 2019 comes to Ann Arbor, with Penn State — another team Jim Harbaugh has beaten at home every time — coming to The Big House. Similarly, their big play threat in KJ Hamler departed for the NFL, but they’ll have a returning quarterback in Sean Clifford.
The next game is in East Lansing, but there’s nothing that suggests that MSU will make a meteoric rise under Mel Tucker in his first year, given it’ll be breaking in a new system, a new quarterback, and replacing several key starters from the last several seasons. At Minnesota could be the most challenging game to this point, given that the Golden Gophers surprised many, finishing the season 11-2 with a win over Auburn in the bowl game. Given that it’s on the road, general road game weariness applies, but overall, Michigan should have more talent.
Of the next four — Purdue, Maryland, at Rutgers and home vs. Indiana — the Hoosiers are the only one that likely poses a threat, though the Boilermakers and Terrapins should be much better than in 2019. However, again, they should be overmatched talent-wise vs. the Wolverines.
That said, there’s a good chance Michigan enters the final game against Ohio State with an 11-0 record. Should it come to that, win or lose in Columbus, a College Football Playoff berth could be on the table, even if a Big Ten Championship is not — it just depends on how that game plays out. The last two years have been debacles, but the previous two were closer affairs. Roster-wise, it feels like this Michigan team could be better suited to taking on the Buckeyes, but given the recent history, it’s hard to predict when the 3,000-plus day streak comes to an end.