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25 biggest college football storylines for the 2022 season

By Michael Thompson

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 10: The National Championship Trophy is seen on the field prior to the 2022 CFP National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 10: The National Championship Trophy is seen on the field prior to the 2022 CFP National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 04: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates winning Big Ten Football Championship over the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 04, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 04: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates winning Big Ten Football Championship over the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 04, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

14. Was 2021 an outlier or sign of things to come in Ann Arbor?

In what may have been one of the better stories in college football last year, we got to see the Michigan Wolverines come back to national relevance. They finally beat their hated rival Ohio State Buckeyes, and in convincing fashion. They won the Big Ten for the first time since 2004.

Jim Harbaugh, a Michigan man just about on his way out, appeared to revitalize a dormant program. They also were humiliated in their CFP Orange Bowl semifinal loss to Georgia 34-11. Harbaugh tried to leave Michigan after their season to become the coach of the Minnesota Vikings. They lost both of their coordinators.

All of these things are true, so where does that leave us with the Wolverines?

Many will call last year an aberration, but I do believe it can be the start of Michigan being a real part of the national picture going forward.

The Wolverines, ranked No. 8 in the preseason polls have eight returning starters on their offense, including running back Blake Corum who could have a monster season. Their defense returns five starters but will have to replace their incredible duo of pass rushers last year when they had Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo terrorizing opposing quarterbacks.

The biggest question for Harbaugh this season, other than the awkward offseason, is figuring out who’s the best quarterback to not only get the Wolverines back to the CFP but to be more competitive than they showed last year. Cade McNamara is an experienced senior that is solid, but limited. Sophomore JJ McCarthy, a far more raw, but talented QB, is nipping at McNamara’s heels for the job. Playing the right quarterback in the biggest moments will be crucial to Michigan’s success.

A favorable schedule should put the Wolverines in the CFP hunt, and even undefeated heading into their big rematch at Ohio State. A win and Michigan is likely back in the big dance. A loss and Michigan may be looking at the Rose Bowl as a tasty consolation prize.

With the Wolverines winless in their bowl games under Harbaugh, and nearing 30 years since their last Rose Bowl victory, I’d expect Harbaugh would be stoked about either path for his Wolverines, as they enter a new era.

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