Michigan Football: Ranking each Wolverines opponent in 2022
6. Illinois (Home November 19th, 2022)
Though schools like Michigan State and Ohio State get more attention as rivals of the Wolverines, One of Michigan’s longest series is actually with the Illinois Fighting Illini.
These two teams first faced off in 1898 and have played in just under 100 contests in that time. Michigan has won a resounding 75% of those games and will look to continue that good fortune towards the end of the 2022 season.
This year’s Fighting Illini will look to continue building off of the success they had at the end of 2021 where they finished 4-3 in their last seven games including a win over Penn State. Illinois has the potential to be a sneaky good team who may not quite be ready to compete for the Big Ten West division but will certainly be a tough out.
What makes this especially tricky for Michigan football is that their game against Illinois is one week before the Ohio State game. While there is no doubt that Harbaugh and his staff will do everything they can to keep their Wolverines focused on the Illini, it is unlikely that the team will be at least thinking about Ohio State, which is where Illinois can strike.
Michigan will have the talent to handle this game and maintain historic president, winning easily but there is just something about this matchup that is concerning enough to slide it up this list.
5. Rutgers (Away November 5th, 2022)
One of the most difficult teams to place on this list was the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers. While they historically have been a bottomfeeder in the Big Ten East division, Rutgers has played quite well against Michigan in recent years, losing by six and seven points in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
Many people, including myself, were willing to write off the 2020 game at the time due to the circumstances of that season but, given the fact that the Scarlet Knights maintained that form the following season, it is something to keep an eye on this year.
Another factor that could cause trouble for the Wolverines is this game’s location and place on the schedule. Michigan football will have to travel to Piscataway after playing Penn State and Michigan State in back-to-back home games. With the emotion that will be put into both of those games, particularly against Michigan State, there is some risk in going on the road to Rutgers and playing a team that has kept things close in recent years.
Are the Wolverines the more talented team? Absolutely. But this matchup still has just enough uncertainty that it will be a compelling game for Michigan fans to keep an eye on this season.