Michigan Football: 10 predictions for the Wolverines in 2022

With just ten days left to go until Michigan football opens 2022 against Jay Norvell and the Colorado State Rams, here are ten predictions for the Wolverines this upcoming season. 

1.) QB Cade McNamara starts more games than most fans want.

No one can really blame the fanbase for wanting to see former five-star talent J.J. McCarthy take over, even after McNamara started every game last fall en route to a Big Ten title. McCarthy’s arm and athleticism give visions of elite quarterback play that Michigan football has only envied in recent years. However, the early rumblings out of training camp are that McNamara has taken a step forward himself, and has thus far held onto the job as QB1.

While not scientific in the slightest, it seems like most fans who are Team J.J., even are okay with the likely reality that Cade McNamara will take the opening snaps on September 3rd, but many expect that McCarthy will overtake McNamara either before Michigan’s Big Ten bout with Iowa, or after McNamara possibly struggles against the Hawkeyes.

My prediction? Cade McNamara hangs onto the job past the Iowa game, potentially even the entire season. Do not underestimate the importance of smart QB play over flashy QB play. Harbaugh has certainly shown that he doesn’t.

J.J. will still see plenty of usage, however, specifically as a change of pace in the backfield running several read-option packages to expand Michigan football’s rushing attack.

2.) No Michigan Football WR has more than 800 yards receiving.

Last year, WR Cornelius Johnson led the Wolverines with 627 yards of receiving, and despite the likelihood that Michigan airs it out more this season, don’t expect any one WR to necessarily be the sole beneficiary of a more balanced approach. With the return of star senior Ronnie Bell from injury last fall, along with the steady and reliable play of Roman Wilson, Cornelius Johnson, and TE Erick All last fall, there’s a lot of talented players who will all hope to get the ball in their hands.

Thus, the prediction is that Michigan’s receiving yardage increases collectively, but it likely spread amongst many talented options. Even with those veteran four options, that doesn’t even include promising younger players like sophomore Andrel Anthony or freshman Darrius Clemons, or even explosive gadget weapon A.J. Henning. Simply put, Michigan football has too many good weapons on offense to expect one player to really consolidate the stats.