Predicting Michigan Football’s final record and more on bye week roundtable
You really couldn’t have scripted a better start to the 2022-23 season for Michigan football, as they are 7-0, and currently in their annual bye week.
Although not every game has been a blowout, if a breeze, Michigan football had found a way to win all seven of its games this year so far, one way, or another, which at the end of the day, is all that matters.
Obviously, despite the 7-0 start, there are still five regular season games left to be played, including potential huge matchups against Illinois and Ohio State, in back-to-back weeks, so the season definitely isn’t over yet.
There are always things the team can grow, get better, and improve upon, and the bye is the perfect place to do that.
In this bye week roundtable, some of the GBM staff offer their thoughts on the state of Michigan football at the bye.
What’s been the most encouraging thing about Michigan’s 7-0 start to the season?
Jared: This is a tough question for me because I could easily say the running game, or the defense (especially in the second halves of games) but I’m going to go with the culture. As we saw last season, there has been a culture shift at U-M, and with guys like Aidan Hutchinson and Hassan Haskins gone that embodied that so well, it was possible for the culture to bounce back in the other direction a bit. Luckily the culture appears like it’s here to stay.
Josh: The physicality that Michigan has played with thus far, continuing the culture the 21’ team built. Harbaugh had a culture in place in 15’ and 16’ but when those upper-classmen left he has been searching for years to fill that void they left in leadership. It’s nice to see the Wolverines finally have an established culture under Jim Harbaugh. That will lead to continued success, not just this year, but in seasons to come.
Chris: The defense. It was the biggest question mark coming into the season and it has answered the ball. The Wolverines have the best stop rate in the country and the pass rush is just fine.
Cameron: The most encouraging thing for me so far has been just Michigan’s mindset throughout the season. The players that were on last year’s team that are still here this year are still the same humble players like last year. Nothing seems to rattle them. They want bigger and better things than even last year and they are never satisfied, so that’s great to see.