Michigan Football: Game-by-game predictions for Wolverines in 2021

After a tremendous season in 2020, one that included a historic win over Michigan football, Indiana is looking to contend for the Big Ten East title in 2021.

And with 17 starters returning and starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. among them, the Hoosiers feel like a true contender.

This is a hugely important game for Michigan football too. Even if the Wolverines don’t have a chance to win the East Division at this point in the season, Michigan has to get back to being the second-best team in the Big Ten which means beating Indiana.

It also requires beating the Wisconsin’s and Penn State’s of the world, which probably won’t happen this year. At home though, this feels like a winnable game, and beating a top-25 team would be a nice momentum boost.

This sort of reminds me of the Notre Dame game back in 2019. A storm will be building and I think the Wolverines will take it going away in a statement win.

Final score: Michigan 35, Indiana 17 (7-2) 

If Michigan football does what I say in these predictions, it would have a lot of momentum going into the Penn State game. Yet, the Wolverines haven’t won in Happy Valley since 2015 and I’m actually pretty high on what Penn State is this year.

The Nittany Lions won four games in a row down the stretch and as much as I hate to say it, I think they have enough to make it three straight wins over Michigan.

I do think it will be a close and competitive game though. Who knows? Maybe Ronnie Bell makes up for the drop he had two years ago and the Wolverines find a way. But just going on the recent past, Michigan drops a close one as Penn State makes a field goal late.

Final Score: Penn State 27, Michigan 24 (7-3)