Michigan football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2023
![Oct 15, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Donovan Edwards (7) is lifted up by offensive lineman Zak Zinter (65) after he rushes for a touchdown in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports Oct 15, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Donovan Edwards (7) is lifted up by offensive lineman Zak Zinter (65) after he rushes for a touchdown in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/799a58d3db9c75dab72ed53be1ca9afa9b957bde0bbf0a5935dd0f90b602a3ec.jpg)
As a Michigan State fan, it pains me to say that Michigan football is back and is the class of the Big Ten until some other team can prove otherwise.
The Spartans were the last Big Ten team to beat the Wolverines back in 2021 but since then, Michigan has been red-hot, winning two straight games against top rival Ohio State and consecutive Big Ten titles.
And bad news for the rest of the Big Ten: the Wolverines are returning some key players in 2023 in JJ McCarthy, Blake Corum, Donovan Edwards, Will Johnson, and Mike Sainristil. Plus, getting Jim Harbaugh to stay was a major win.
Will Michigan make it back to the playoff for a third straight season in 2023?
1. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Sept. 2. East Carolina Pirates. 932. Ann Arbor, Mich.
A big knock on Michigan in 2022 was its non-conference schedule, but that’s not going to change much in 2023 with East Carolina kicking the season off.
Holton Ahlers is gone and he was the player who made the program relevant in the AAC and make bowl games. Replacing him won’t be easy and that new quarterback facing this Michigan secondary is going to have nightmares of Will Johnson.
Michigan wins easily.
Prediction: Win (1-0)
Marcus Arroyo didn’t have the best tenure at UNLV, going 7-23 in three years. He’s replaced with former Missouri head coach Barry Odom and the Rebels will likely go through an extended rebuilding phase.
Will Ricky White come back in and have a massive game against the Wolverines like he did when he played for Michigan State in 2020 and help the Rebels pull off the upset? Not this time as the secondary is much better than the last time he saw it and Michigan won’t slip up against a mediocre team like this.
Prediction: Win (2-0)