Michigan Football: 5 predictions for second half of the season

Michigan beats one of its two rivals

The undefeated start is great for Michigan football. So is beating Wisconsin for the first time in 20 years in Madison and surging into the top 10.

But here’s the thing: It won’t matter if Michigan doesn’t beat either Michigan State or Ohio State. It will be hard not to view the season as a disappointment without a win in one of those games.

We all know that Harbaugh needs to beat Ohio State sooner rather than later and with a veteran team, at home, this is going to be one of his best chances. The Buckeyes are improving each week though and those who thought they were vulnerable, were wrong.

They are still the favorite to win the Big Ten and reach the playoff. Frankly, if they win out, there’s no way the Buckeyes won’t be in.

Any one-loss Big Ten champion is going to have a great shot. But all Michigan football fans should care about is winning these rivalry games. Do that and the rest will take care of itself.

Harbaugh is 3-3 against Michigan State and that’s almost as disappointing as his 0-5 mark against the Buckeyes. The three times Michigan lost, it had the better team — even last year.

Control of the state of Michigan is up for grabs once again with Mel Tucker and the Spartans sitting at 7-0, waiting for U-M on Oct. 30.

I’d feel much better if that game was at home, but all along, I have felt that was the defining game of the 2021 season for Michigan football.

And while I won’t necessarily predict a win yet over Sparty or Ohio State, I feel good about getting a split in those games and at least 10 wins this season, if not more.