Michigan Football: 5 must-win games for Wolverines in 2021

Indiana

Last season, Michigan football suffered its first loss at the hands of Indiana since 1987 and when the Hoosiers come to the Big House this year, it’s a game that U-M simply has to win.

The old joke about Michigan was that it could never finish better than third in the Big Ten East behind Ohio State and Penn State. U-M could finish third this year, which again, isn’t the ultimate goal but it sure beats fourth or fifth.

Michigan football has got to beat Indiana and just like Michigan State, it has to re-establish itself as the dominant team in that series.

The Wolverines can’t allow the Hoosiers to jump them and more wins over teams like Michigan will only help them recruit even better. U-M also hasn’t dropped back-to-back games to the Hoosiers since 1958-59, so it needs to avoid that too.

This year is a rebuilding/reloading sort of year for Michigan. It reminds me of 2015. The expectations are lower and Jim Harbaugh is hungry to prove himself and did a great job of hiring some great assistants, including Mike Hart away from Indiana.

I don’t expect a miracle but I do think this team will be better than people think and if it wins these five games listed, Michigan football will finish with a 9-3 record and a solid bowl berth.