Michigan Football: Best and worst-case scenarios for 2021 season

Worst case

It’s hard to imagine, but it’s possible that Michigan football could be fighting for a bowl berth at the end of the season. The first four games are all winnable and at home against Western Michigan, Northern Illinois, Washington, and Rutgers.

If the Wolverines can win those four games, they have a shot to put together a solid record. But if things don’t come together at the quarterback position and some of the other young guys on both lines fail to take the step forward that’s desperately needed, a loss to Washington is possible.

And if that happens, things could go downhill quickly. There doesn’t seem to be much hope of Michigan winning at Wisconsin or Penn State for that matter, although the hopes are better against the Nittany Lions.

Northwestern at home isn’t going to be easy and winning road games at Michigan State and Nebraska won’t be a cakewalk.

If the Wolverines beat Northern Illinois and Western Michigan, but fall to Washington they would still need four Big Ten wins for bowl eligibility.

Michigan would have to win four of these games: at Nebraska, vs Northwestern, vs Indiana, at Michigan State, vs Rutgers, at Maryland — because it’s hard to project a win at Happy Valley.

If Cade McNamara or Alan Bowman don’t work out, you’d think Michigan would make the move to J.J. McCarthy and maybe he could spark the team to a bowl game.

But fighting for 6-6 is a possibility this season, especially if the quarterback play doesn’t improve.