Michigan football: Predicting every game on the 2023 schedule

Michigan football kicks off the season with a Sept. 2 noon contest against ECU in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines will be a heavy favorite to win that one and most of the games on the schedule … but there some potential speed bumps.

Here are Wolverines’ 12 regular season games and how we see them playing out.

Michigan vs. ECU, Sept. 2, Noon

We’ve already seen the Wolverines as a 36.5-point favorite against a rebuilding ECU squad, and that seems about right. The Pirates have a new quarterback and running back and will be hard pressed to move the ball against U-M. They’ll also be suspect in the secondary.

U-M should roll in week one.

Michigan 48, ECU 6

Michigan vs. UNLV, Sept. 9, 3:30 p.m.

The Runnin’ Rebels have a new coach and have several new faces in the lineup this year. They have a nice secondary but a questionable offensive line … and it’s unlikely they have the horses to stop the Michigan running game. This will be the second sacrificial lamb sent home with a paycheck, a “thank you” … and a blowout loss.

Michigan 51, UNLV 3

Michigan vs. Bowling Green, Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m.

Nothing like a night game against a middling MAC opponent to end the non-conference slate. Scot Loeffler’s team averaged only 335 yards per game last year, but “Lefty” found his quarterback in Indiana transfer Connor Bazelak — he’s at least capable. Again, though, the Falcons aren’t going to be able to stop the Wolverines’ ground game.

Michigan 48, Bowling Green 7

Michigan vs. Rutgers, Sept. 23, TBD

Rutgers has played Michigan as tough as just about anyone the last three years since Greg Schiano returned but missed their chance to win in the COVID season on a wide left field goal. The Scarlet Knights imploded in the second half last season after taking a lead into halftime.

Schiano wants more “man ball” in the lineup this year, and that probably won’t fly against the Michigan defense. The Scarlet Knights still have quarterback problems and don’t have the horses to compete (though they’ll play hard).

Michigan 38, Rutgers 10

Michigan at Nebraska, Sept. 30, TBD

This could well be a night game, which means unbelievable crowd and great atmosphere. The Cornhuskers are starting over under Matt Rhule, however, and he hasn’t been great in his first years at programs. He’s talking quick turnaround, though, and he has a quarterback in Georgia Tech transfer Jeff Sims. He’s a dual threat.

We aren’t sure what to expect of this Nebraska team, but we don’t expect them to beat this Wolverines team.

Michigan 31, Nebraska 13

Michigan at Minnesota, Oct. 7, TBD

Another candidate for an under the lights affair. Coach P.J. Fleck needs to replace his quarterback and his running back, but there are several all-conference candidates on both sides of the ball. A second road trip into a hostile environment could at least make it interesting for a while.

The Wolverines pull away in the second half to retain the Little Brown Jug and start the first half of the season 6-0.

Michigan 34, Minnesota 17

Michigan vs. Indiana, Oct. 14

Tom Allen and the Hoosiers are on the decline, though they had a nice recruiting class last year. Like Rutgers, though, for whatever reason, they have played the Wolverines tough. While they have some pieces on offense, they’ll break in a new quarterback this year.

This isn’t a team that will compete in Ann Arbor.

Michigan 42, Indiana 14

Michigan at Michigan State, Oct. 21, TBD

The Spartans don’t have much skill position talent and should be hard pressed to move the ball on Michigan under first-year starting quarterback Noah Kim. Their best bet is to try to hang around with defense and hope for a few breaks. But emotions will be running high after last year’s fiasco, and they’ll come out swinging before U-M pulls away.

Michigan 34, Michigan State 13

Michigan vs. Purdue, Nov 4, TBD

The Boilermakers are in flux with a new head coach and quarterback — Texas transfer Hudson Card, who replaces Aidan O’Connell. They could be better defensively under coach Ryan Walters, but it’s going to take some time.

This could be one of those games Michigan sleepwalks through coming off a bye, but the Wolverines will take care of business.

Michigan 35, Purdue 10

Michigan at Penn State, Nov. 11, Noon

Possibly the toughest game on the schedule. The Nittany Lions have great talent at running back, a stout defense, and motivation to atone for last year’s debacle in Ann Arbor. That’s a tough place to win, even for the best teams … it will probably come down to how quarterback Drew Allar performs.

U-M might be the better team, but if there’s a loss on the schedule, it could be here.

Penn State 24, Michigan 23

Michigan at Maryland, Nov. 18, TBD

The Terrapins gave U-M a scare in Ann Arbor last year and have a more than capable quarterback in Taulia Tagovailoa. You never really know what you’re going to get when you play these guys … and it’s even more interesting a week before the Ohio State game.

Michigan pulls away late to set up a Big Ten East title showdown with Ohio State.

Michigan 34, Maryland 20

Michigan vs. Ohio State, Nov. 25, Noon

A chance for three wins in a row against the Buckeyes, and the Wolverines will be jacked up for this one. But OSU will be desperate for a win — we expect a better game plan from Ryan Day and company than we’ve seen the last few years, probably less risk taking.

This one comes down to the wire, but Michigan pulls out another ‘W’ to take firm control of the rivalry.

Michigan 30, Ohio State 24

The post Michigan football: Predicting every game on the 2023 schedule appeared first on On3.