Could Michigan Football be a playoff contender in 2022?

Can Michigan football make it back to the College Football Playoff in 2022? Here’s a look at some of the key things that will determine that.

Since 2015, Michigan football has appeared in three New Year’s Six bowls, won 10 or more games in four of six full-length seasons, has won the Big Ten, and appeared in the College Football Playoff.

While these are admirable accomplishments, 2021 was a crucial year for the Wolverines, who broke the narrative that Michigan football couldn’t win big games.

In 2022, U-M hopes to return to the Big Ten Championship and the College Football Playoff; the question remains, can the Wolverines do it?

Could Harbaugh’s success lead to his downfall?

The best thing to happen to former Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr was his 1997 National Championship season.

The Wolverines would go 12-0, defeat a top-5 Ohio State team, win the Big Ten, and defeat Washington State in the Rose Bowl to secure a No. 1 ranked finish and an AP National Championship to their 1997 campaign.

Ironically, one of the worst things to happen to Loyd Carr would be his 1997 season, which set the expectation that he would produce National Title-caliber teams every season.

In 2021, Jim Harbaugh may have had himself a similar season. The Wolverines finished the year 12-2, ranked No. 3 in the nation, won the Big Ten, and went to the College Football Playoff.

While this past season hosted Harbaugh’s most significant success with the Wolverines so far, he has also set himself a new expectation, one that Michigan football fans will hold him to.

There are other factors to consider when evaluating Michigan football as a playoff contender and we go next to the offense.