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Michigan Football: 2017 season preview, predictions

By Connor Muldowney

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 22: Chris Evans #12 of the Michigan Wolverines looks for running room while playing the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 22, 2016 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 41-8. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 22: Chris Evans #12 of the Michigan Wolverines looks for running room while playing the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 22, 2016 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 41-8. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – NOVEMBER 19: General view of Michigan Stadium during a game between the Indiana Hoosiers and Michigan Wolverines on November 19, 2016 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 20-10. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – NOVEMBER 19: General view of Michigan Stadium during a game between the Indiana Hoosiers and Michigan Wolverines on November 19, 2016 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 20-10. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2017 schedule

WEEK DATE OPPONENT LOCATION
1 Sept. 2 vs. Florida Arlington, Texas
2 Sept. 9 vs. Cincinnati Ann Arbor, Mich.
3 Sept. 16 vs. Air Force Ann Arbor, Mich.
4 Sept. 23 at Purdue West Lafayette, Ind.
5 Sept. 30 BYE WEEK
6 Oct. 7 vs. Michigan State Ann Arbor, Mich.
7 Oct. 14 at Indiana Bloomington, Ind.
8 Oct. 21 at Penn State University Park, Penn.
9 Oct. 28 vs. Rutgers Ann Arbor, Mich.
10 Nov. 4 vs. Minnesota Ann Arbor, Mich.
11 Nov. 11 at Maryland College Park, Md.
12 Nov. 18 at Wisconsin Madison, Wisc.
13 Nov. 25 vs. Ohio State Ann Arbor, Mich.

Honestly, this schedule is favorable for the Wolverines. If fans are worried about the youth holding Michigan back, they can just take a quick glance at the home and away slots. That should immediately ease their minds.

In fact, the Wolverines get their two biggest rivals, Ohio State and Michigan State, at home and their toughest non-conference game, Florida, is at a neutral site. Plus, Michigan fans travel well, so that might seem like a home game for the Wolverines despite being all the way down in Arlington, Texas.

Penn State and Wisconsin present the toughest road matchups for the Wolverines and there’s a good chance the Nittany Lions and Badgers could exact revenge for 2016 losses.

On the other hand, Maryland, Rutgers, Indiana and Purdue should all be sure wins for Michigan, padding their record in conference play. Cincinnati and Air Force shouldn’t present too much of a test for the Wolverines out of conference, either. Although the Falcons could give Michigan a tough early test on defense — they like to run.

Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017

Prediction: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)

It’s easy to say this team will take care of business at home this season and there are only two road games that will cause some trouble, but you can’t sleep on rivalry contests. Despite getting both Michigan State and Ohio State at home, anything can happen in those rivalry games. Plus, Florida at a neutral site isn’t going to be easy. Michigan, in my mind, will lose to both Penn State and Wisconsin on the road and at home against Ohio State. Not bad for a young team.

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