The Michigan Wolverines are coming off of back-to-back 10-win seasons, but where just inches shy of winning the Big Ten for the first time since the early 2000's. For a program like Michigan, those expectations don't change - they expect to win the conference title this year despite having the least experienced team in the country. Will they be able to accomplish that? Here’s a game-by-game prediction of their record this season:
Week 1 - vs. Florida Gators (Arlington, TX)
Prediction: LOSS (0-1)
The season opener at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Michigan will essentially be breaking in a team full of new starters on the national stage against the two-time reigning SEC East champs. It's a tough way to start the season against the two-time defending SEC East champs.
Week 2 - vs. Cincinnati Bearcats
Prediction: WIN (1-1)
Returning home to the Big House will be comforting for Michigan's young players and propel them to a win over a tough Cincinnati team. This one may also be closer than Michigan fans would like for it to be.
Week 3 - vs. Air Force Falcons
Prediction: WIN (2-1)
Finally, a rare easy game on Michigan's schedule. Air Force's attack is tough to stop, but they have to replace a large majority of last year's 10-win team. Wolverines win comfortably.
Week 4 - at Purdue Boilermakers
Prediction: WIN (3-1)
Purdue has been at the bottom of the Big Ten for a while now and that's not going to change anytime soon.
Week 5 - BYE
Week 6 - vs. Michigan State Spartans
Prediction: WIN (4-1)
Yes, Michigan State was terrible last season. And, yes, Michigan will be heavily favored in the Big House. But rivalry games are always tricky to navigate and the Wolverines will get Michigan State's best shot. However, it won't be enough for the Spartans.
Week 7 - at Indiana Hoosiers
Prediction: WIN (5-1)
Indiana has a new head coach in Tom Allen and several major question marks on defense. Michigan will take advantage of all of those weaknesses.
Week 8 - at Penn State Nittany Lions
Prediction: LOSS (5-2)
Michigan's underclassmen should be starting to find their stride by this point in the season, but playing in Happy Valley will be a major challenge for them. Expect the Nittany Lions to win a relatively close game.
Week 9 - vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Prediction: WIN (6-2)
The Scarlet Knights are making progress under head coach Chris Ash, but they still have a ways to go before they're competitive in the Big Ten. Chalk this up as an easy win for the Wolverines.
Week 10 - vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Prediction: WIN (7-2)
Minnesota has major questions at quarterback, along the offensive line and in the secondary. Rashan Gary and Wilton Speight will have great games in a blowout win.
Week 11 - at Maryland Terrapins
Prediction: WIN (8-2)
The Terps were better than expected under D.J. Durkin last year and they have the talent to be a good defensive team, but there is still a lot of work to be done to be on the same level with a team like Michigan.
Week 12 - at Wisconsin Badgers
Prediction: LOSS (8-3)
One week before hosting Ohio State, the Wolverines travel to Camp Randall to take on Wisconsin. This will easily be the Badgers' biggest game of the year, since they don't play PSU or OSU. It's Wisconsin's best chance to prove their worth to the selection committee, and they'll play like it.
Week 13 - vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
Prediction: LOSS (8-4)
Michigan only returns three starters from last year's team, the fewest of any program in the country. Their underclassmen should have found their stride by this point in the season, but playing in a rivalry game like this is a different animal. That experience will help the Buckeyes.
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