The best, worst, and most realistic scenarios for Michigan football in 2023

Worst-case scenario: Losses to rivals

The floor for this Michigan team is really high. It feels like a New Year’s Six Bowl is definitely in the cards, even if things don’t go as planned.

However, failing to defend the Big Ten title would hurt, but not quite as much as if the Wolverines were knocked off by their rivals.

Michigan fans are pretty confident in their program right now, as they should be. But we’ve seen Michigan State upset Michigan plenty of teams in the past and the game is in East Lansing.

Outside of Penn State and Ohio State, that’s the No. 1 game I’m worried about. Lose both of those games and it’s hard to call the Michigan season a success.

Crazy things happen in rivalry games too and Ohio State shouldn’t be taken for granted. The Buckeyes were a missed kick from winning the national title last season and they will be hungry to snap that two-game losing streak.