How many games will Michigan football win during the 2023 season? Here are our game-by-game predictions for the Wolverines.
The 2023 Michigan football season is right around the corner. There’s one more week and then it will finally be game week for the Wolverines.
That’s the moment that every Michigan football fan has been waiting for since the Fiesta Bowl loss to TCU. East Carolina will travel to Ann Arbor for the Maize Out on Sept. 2.
This upcoming season is one of the most anticipated Michigan football seasons in history and with the regular season less than two weeks away, here are our final game-by-game predictions for the Wolverines in the 2023 season.
Michigan vs East Carolina on Sept. 2 (W)
East Carolina was solid last season, posting an 8-5 record. Yet, the Pirates have to replace their starting quarterback, as well as their leading rusher.
That doesn’t mean this game will be a pushover, but it should be. The Pirates are becoming a solid program in the American Conference. But their defense isn’t going to be able to hold up against Michigan’s ground game and J.J. McCarthy should have a field day against a defense that struggled against the pass.
We don’t need to get too in-depth here, because Michigan football will win going away. The crowd will be frenzied with it being the first game back and the Pirates get the unfortunate burden of being the first opponent of a motivated Wolverines team.
Michigan 52, East Carolina 17 (1-0)
Michigan vs UNLV on Sept. 9 (W)
UNLV has a new head coach in Barry Odom, the former Missouri headman. He was the DC at Arkansas for the past three seasons and will now take his shot at turning around the Rebels.
Michigan football should have an even bigger talent advantage in this game and the fact that UNLV lost a ton of experience from its offensive line has to be a point of concern because the Wolverines are elite on the defensive line.
Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards should run all over these dudes, and frankly, if all goes well, should be resting after halftime.
Michigan football 56, UNLV 10 (2-0)
Michigan vs Bowling Green on Sept. 16 (W)
Bowling Green was a bowl team last season and it will have a former SEC starter at quarterback in Connor Bazelak, who was also at Indiana.
That shouldn’t scare Michigan football fans. Ta’Ron Keith is a talented back and the offensive line should be pretty good with plenty of experience returning.
But Bowling Green ranked outside the top 100 in scoring defense last season. The offense also struggled in pass protection. The Falcons also allowed 4.4 yards per carry a season ago, which doesn’t bode well against Michigan’s elite running back tandem, maybe the best in a decade.
Michigan 45, Bowling Green 13 (3-0)
Michigan vs Rutgers on Sept. 23
Rutgers gave Michigan football a scare last year in Piscataway as the Wolverines actually trailed at halftime before Michael Barrett changed the game with a couple of interceptions and a pick-6. J.J. McCarthy had a great third quarter and the Wolverines ended up winning with ease thanks to a dominant second half.
Things haven’t gone as hoped since Greg Schiano came back but Rutgers has played Michigan tough in each of the past three seasons. It took overtime for the Wolverines to win in 2020. The 2021 game was too close for comfort and a single-possession game late, in addition to Rutgers leading Michigan in the first half last season.
Michigan is too talented, but the first Big Ten game can always be a battle and the Scarlet Knights prove to be sort of pesky once again in a Wolverines win.
Michigan 41, Rutgers 17 (4-0)
Michigan at Nebraska on Sept. 30 (W)
The Wolverines will get a week off before taking a trip to Nebraska. This game will be played at Noon which is an advantage for Michigan football.
Nebraska has a new head coach in Matt Rhule and this team should be better. Self-inflicted wounds have killed the Huskers in recent years, but some of that should cease.
Jeff Sims is a talented quarterback and tight end Thomas Fidone is a name to know. He was the No. 2 recruit out of high school at his position before getting injured. This game will come down to the trenches though and Michigan football is just too good up front, on both sides of the ball.
Michigan 34, Nebraska 20 (5-0)
Michigan at Minnesota on Oct. 7 (W)
This is one of the scariest games on the schedule for Michigan football this season. Athan Kaliakmanis is a 6-foot-4 quarterback that’s athletic and probably an upgrade over Tanner Morgan.
Mo Ibrahim is gone but Sean Tyler, a Western Michigan transfer, should be solid and the Gophers always seem to be pretty stout up front. P.J. Fleck’s team are coming off another nine-win season and if there’s a trap game on the schedule, this and Michigan State are it.
Minnesota won’t back down from Michigan’s man-ball style. But McCarthy is too good and so are the running backs. The Gophers won’t beat U-M at its own game.
Michigan 30, Minnesota 20 (6-0)
Indiana at Michigan on Oct. 14 (W)
Tom Allen has done a respectable job with Indiana, yet things have started to trend in the wrong direction after two ugly seasons.
The game in Bloomington was competitive for a while last season and this is another team that seems to find a way to keep things close.
Tayven Jackson transferred from Tennessee to take over at quarterback, but there were some departures too such as impact defender Dasan McCullough. Cam Camper is another key piece back for the offense, but it’s hard to see Indiana winning this one.
Michigan 49, Indiana 10 (7-0)
Michigan at Michigan State on Oct. 21 (W)
Outside of the Ohio State game, this is the most important game on the schedule. The rivalry between Michigan football and Michigan State reached new heights in 2022.
There is talk about this being a night game and after last year, that could be a wild atmosphere. On the field, the blood will be running as hot as ever.
That being said, Michigan should have a big advantage. The Wolverines have the better quarterback, the better head coach, the better offensive line, better receivers, better backs, a better running game, and on down the line.
However, that’s been the case before and Michigan has still lost. This game scares me, but I believe the Wolverines survive a game that’s closer than the final score, like in 2022.
Michigan 34, Michigan State 19 (8-0)
Michigan vs Purdue on Nov. 4 (W)
The Wolverines will get a bye week after the trip to Michigan State and it will be well-deserved. Waiting for Michigan football is a Purdue team that’s sort of hard to figure out.
Ryan Walters is a great defensive mind. He did some stellar things with the Illinois defense and did as good a job as anyone did against the Wolverines.
Hudson Card is the new name at quarterback after Aidan O’Connell. He’s been stellar by all accounts and the Boilers could be a sleeper in the Big Ten West.
However, U-M will overwhelm Purdue with its running game, just like it did in last season’s Big Ten championship game.
Michigan 41, Purdue 24 (9-0)
Michigan at Penn State on Nov. 11 (W)
This is arguably the most difficult game on the schedule since it will be on the road. Penn State is a legitimate threat to win the Big Ten East.
Drew Allar is what Penn State believes is its J.J. McCarthy. Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen form their own elite running back duo and should give defenses fits this season.
The offensive line is elite and the defense should be really stout too. It’s going to be a battle. Michgian football will have to win in the trenches and McCarthy will need to be great.
I think he will be. We’ll see Corum and Edwards have their moments too and it will be needed in a nail-biter that turns into a bit of a shootout.
Michigan 38, Penn State 31 (10-0)
Michigan at Maryland on Nov. 18 (W)
Everybody knows Taulia Tagovailoa, the Maryland quarterback, but Roman Hemby is darn good too at the running back position accounting for over 1,200 yards last season.
The Terps won eight games last season and nearly upset Michigan football in Ann Arbor. Tagovailoa gave the defense fits and Hemby was able to find some running lanes.
Michigan has generally won handily against Maryland, but the Terps are determined to beat Michigan, Ohio State, or Penn State, at some point. They’re always more motivated.
Maryland’s defense is relying a lot on transfers and I don’t see them holding up against the Wolverines when it really matters. McCarthy should have a field day.
This game will remind Wolverine fans more of the 2021 game, than the battle in 2022.
Michigan 45, Maryland 21 (11-0)
Michigan vs Ohio State on Nov. 25 (W)
As it stands via these predictions, Michigan football is one win away from a perfect regular season. I expect Ohio State to be undefeated going into this game too.
Michigan has beaten Ohio State two years in a row, but don’t let that fool you — this year’s Buckeyes team is loaded. They are still figuring out who will start, but I don’t think either will be that bad. They just won’t be as good as J.J. McCarthy.
Michigan’s quarterback is going to be better this year. He’ll be the Heisman contender and the running backs (knock on wood) are hopefully 100 percent. Last year’s game wouldn’t have been as close if Corum was healthy.
Mchigan would have won that playoff game against TCU too. He’s the best running back in college football. Edwards isn’t far behind and he’ll breakout as an elite receiving threat.
The Wolverines could have over 20 players selected in the 2024 NFL draft. It’s their time to win it all and I just don’t see Ohio State ending the streak.
It will happen, probably in 2024, after McCarthy leaves for the NFL following his junior season, but Ryan Day’s seat is about to get really hot, as it becomes clear again he has a Michigan problem.
McCarthy does his thing, but this game will feel sort of like the 2021 version and the running game will tell the story once again.
Michigan 41, Ohio State 31