3 potential trap games for Michigan football in 2023
Everyone is talking about Michigan football as a national title contender but here are three trap games to be aware of for the Wolverines.
Michigan football has gotten plenty of criticism for its non-conference schedule for the second year in a row.
But once Arch Manning and Texas come to Ann Arbor in 2024, people will likely stop that complaint. It’s true that the non-conference schedule isn’t daunting, although East Carolina is better than people realize, yet the Big Ten is always tough.
Michigan football gets a couple of breaks this year. The Ohio State game is in Ann Arbor. Plus, the Wolverines avoided having to play Penn State at night.
The Wolverines also don’t have Wisconsin or Iowa on the schedule. Instead, the three Big Ten West opponents are Nebraska, Purdue, and Minnesota.
All of those games present different challenges. One thing we can be sure of is that Michigan football will be tested at some point beyond Penn State and Ohio State.
Rutgers led the Wolverines at halftime last year. Two years ago, Michigan needed a late field goal to beat Nebraska, and the win over Michigan State last season could have been much closer. The one over Maryland was close.
So looking ahead to the 2023 season, here are three potential trap games for the Wolverines.
Nebraska
Nebraska might be the first true test of the season for the Wolverines who open with four straight home games. After hosting East Carolina, Bowling Green, and UNLV, Michigan football will host Rutgers.
The Scarlet Knights have played the Wolverines tough the past two seasons, but Michigan should be 4-0 heading into Lincoln.
Nebraska has had talent the past few years but Scott Frost was never able to get the Huskers to reach their full potential. Maybe Matt Rhule can.
The defense should be pretty good. There are essentially eight returning starters and a new DC, as well as some transfers. Nebraska added Jeff Sims at quarterback and Thomas Fidone is a former top-50 overall recruit at tight end.
Sims is a dual threat that has gotten some Heisman publicity. Michigan always seems to struggle with the mobile quarterbacks and I’m wondering if that’s all a recipe for a close game.
You know Lincoln Memorial Stadium will be rocking, especially if the Huskers are able to start fast.