Michigan football: The first thought on each Big Ten opponent

Michigan doesn’t have the toughest Big Ten slate this year, but it could be tricky even before the November games with Penn State and Ohio State. Here’s what first comes to mind when thinking of the Wolverines’ opponents on the conference schedule.

Rutgers, Sept. 23: Initial thought — “A good tune-up for the rest of the Big Ten season.” Crazy enough, Rutgers has played Michigan as tough as anyone in three of the last four halves — tougher than Ohio State in the last two games — but Greg Schiano hasn’t gotten his program where he wants it to be. This should be the fourth straight blowout after three easy non-conference games.

At Nebraska, Sept. 30: Initial thought — “Who knows what to expect?” This is a tough environment — one of the most impressive we’ve ever witnessed in a night atmosphere a few weeks ago — and that place will be jumping. But Rhule’s teams got off to terrible starts in each of his last two stops and there just doesn’t seem to be a ton of talent there.

At Minnesota, Oct. 7: Initial thought — The second of two road trips could be at least a bit tricky. We joke about “row the boat guy” P.J. Fleck, but he’s a solid coach who has some talent returning. Several Golden Gophers are on preseason All-Big Ten teams. At the same time, they have to replace both their quarterback (Tanner Morgan) and running back (Mo Ibrahim).

Indiana, Oct. 14: Initial thought — They don’t have the horses, and the bloom is off the Tom Allen rose. The Hoosiers’ coach had some nice success in the COVID season when a lot of teams weren’t practicing, but it’s been all downhill from there. They’ve won six games the last two years and have a lot of work to do this year.

At Michigan State, Oct. 21: Initial thought — How are they going to score? There’s an absence of playmakers on both sides of the ball, a new quarterback, average running backs. Usually when the Spartans give Michigan a game, there’s someone who at least scares you a bit — a Charles Rogers, Kenneth Walker. There’s no such guy this year.

Purdue, Nov. 4: Initial thought — This is a great opportunity for a second week of rest after the bye week for guys who need to recover or heal. Purdue had a really nice season a year ago, but new coach, revamped roster … essentially a second bye week for Michigan.

At Penn State, Nov. 11: Initial thought — Maybe the toughest game on the schedule. It’s a nooner, which helps, but we expect PSU to be hungry after last year’s blowout in Ann Arbor. They have talent on both sides of the ball.

At Maryland, Nov. 18: Initial thought — This could be a bit tricky, as it’s been for Ohio State before Michigan a few times over the last several years. Taulia Tagovailoa is one of those quarterbacks who can give you fits if you’re not in the right frame of mind. The game before ‘The Game’ requires a little extra focus.

Nov. 25, Ohio State: Initial thought — So much pressure on the Buckeyes to end a two-game skid, and they’ll have to do it with a first-year quarterback. But we expect OSU’s best effort and game plan knowing what’s at stake. This will be a dogfight.

Tomorrow — predicting every game on the Michigan schedule

The post Michigan football: The first thought on each Big Ten opponent appeared first on On3.