Big Ten football: predicting the final records in the East

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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 29: Mike Morris #90 of the Michigan Wolverines hoists the Paul Bunyan Trophy in the air after defeating the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

2. Michigan

Current record/rank: 8-0 (5-0 Big Ten), No. 4 (AP)
Projected record: 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten)
Best win: No.10 Penn State (41-17)

Michigan and Ohio State might as well be 1a and 1b right now. The Wolverines have looked just as good as the Buckeyes overall, and have a real shot at taking down the Ohio State later this year. Michigan is coming off of a 29-7 win over Michigan State last weekend, and could be looking down the barrel of an 11-0 record heading into ‘The Game’ just as I think Ohio State will.

Unlike Ohio State, Michigan football is not flashy — nor do they want to be. Michigan has controlled the football over over 40 minutes in both of its last two games (Penn State and Michigan State), and the Wolverines do not even seem to want to throw the ball at all if possible. Michigan utilizes its two fantastic running backs — Donovan Edwards and Blake Corum — to physically grind its opponents into submission.

Corum has rushed for over 100 yards in every conference game thus far, including a 177 yard performance in his most recent game. So far this year Corum has totaled 1,078 yards on the ground on 179 carries (6.0 YPC), 14 touchdowns, and has cemented himself in the Heisman conversation. Edwards, the Wolverines’ sophomore star running back, has done a great job backing up Corum and should make for a great starter next year when Corum (presumably) heads to the NFL.

While I think Ohio State will get the job done in ‘The Game’ since it will be held in Columbus this year, you cannot count out the Wolverines. Like I said, Michigan has looked just as good in their own right, and are the defending Big Ten Champions from a season ago.

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