Michigan football: Predicting the Wolverines’ final 6 games of 2022

Michigan football is now ranked No. 5 in the nation and boasts a 6-0 record heading into Penn State this weekend.

Here is how I think the Wolverines will finish the year.

No. 5 Michigan hosts No. 10 Penn State this weekend in its annual “Maize Out” game. Sadly the game will kick off at noon, but the atmosphere should be pretty good nonetheless. If this game was at Penn State we would be looking at a different ball game, but in Ann Arbor, I like the Wolverines. Michigan is 8-3 against Penn State in the Big House and 8-2 when there is a crowd in the stadium. The last time Penn State beat Michigan with a packed stadium was 2009.

I think Penn State is a great football team and I am high on them right now, but at home I like Michigan.

After Penn State comes to town Michigan will have a bye week. Following its bye, the Wolverines will host Mel Tucker’s Spartans. Michigan State is 2-4 right now and on a four-game losing streak, and frankly, this game could get ugly. Michigan will host Michigan State in a night game on Halloween weekend, which is worth keeping in mind in regard to the environment.

The Wolverines do just about everything better than the Spartans this season, and without Kenneth Walker III to bail Michigan State out, I think Michigan wins this one by a lot. Sure, it’s a rivalry and Harbaugh is yet to beat Mel Tucker, but it’s a new year and I expect a Michigan win.

Michigan’s next opponent is Rutgers, a team that has given the Wolverines a game the past two seasons. The last time Michigan visited the Knights was in 2020 — a game that went into triple overtime — and this season will be looking for an easier win. Rutgers looks better and better under Greg Schiano, but not good enough to beat Michigan.

Last year Michigan took a 20-3 lead into halftime against Rutgers, but a late-game comeback led Michigan to a scary 20-13 win. The Wolverines bounced back the following week, but there is no telling how Rutgers will do against Harbaugh each year. All of that being said, I’ll gladly take Michigan by a landslide.

Nebraska comes to town on Nov. 12, and frankly, this could be a better game than most expect. Last year’s 3-9 Husker squad took Michigan down to the wire in Lincoln, but the Wolverines ultimately survived. This year should not be quite as close, but could still be a solid game heading into the second half.

Nebraska was off to a 1-2 start under Scott Frost earlier this year, but since letting Frost go are 2-1 and (somehow) tied for first in the Big Ten West. The Huskers are by no means back — its only two wins since firing Frost are over Indiana and Rutgers — but it could be a nice footnote on Michigan’s resume. I’ll take Michigan, but not easily.

Michigan’s final game of its home slate is against Illinois, which is one of three ranked teams remaining on Michigan’s schedule. Illinois is 5-1 right now and ranked No. 24 in the nation, and there is a good chance that the Illini come to Ann Arbor with only one or two losses. Illinois is no joke either after establishing itself as a threat last weekend. Illinois managed to squeak out a win over Iowa, 9-6 and may cause Michigan some issues on offense.

Still, Michigan is at home and I doubt Illinois has what it takes to dethrone Michigan at home. I’ll take the Wolverines on senior day.

Michigan will close out its 2022 regular season by visiting Ohio State on Nov. 26, and this is one that I don’t think Michigan will win. Ohio State should be the No. 1 team in the nation and barring injury and upset will be 11-0 heading into this game (Michigan could also be 11-0 for this game).

Michigan is very good this year, but for the life of me I don’t see anyone taking down the Buckeyes, especially not at home, and especially not Michigan — Ohio State’s Super Bowl. By no means do I think it’ll be a blowout but I’m favoring OSU right now.

In all fairness I took Ohio State last season as well, so we will have to wait and see.

2022 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL PROJECTIONS:

FINAL RECORD: 11-1
CONFERENCE RECORD: 8-1
BOWL BID: Rose Bowl (Jan 2, 2023)