Michigan football: How will Wolverines fare in three biggest games?

Three games will define the Michigan football team in the 2024 season: September 7th vs #4 Texas, November 2nd vs #3 Oregon, and November 30th at #2 Ohio State. Win all three of those games, you're likely the #1 team in the nation. Win two, you're a potential Big Ten Champion. Win one, you should make the playoffs as long as business is taken care of in other games. Win none, and there'll be some issues in Ann Arbor.

The Michigan Wolverines, who are ranked #9 in the AP Preseason Poll, will face off against three of the top four teams in the nation in the regular season alone. There isn't a team out there that plays a tougher three games. And yet that seems perfect for a team that is still being doubted despite winning a National Championship.

Michigan football will have every chance to silence the haters in 2024. They're fortunate to play Texas and Oregon at home, and the Big House should be absolutely rocking for those games.

How will Michigan football do in these three games?

In my opinion, Michigan football will win at least one. If I were to bet, I think they win two. I've written that I believe Michigan will beat Texas. The Wolverines aren't going to let an early chance to make national waves get away from them. Their defense is going to be suffocating against a Texas offense that will be without their star running back CJ Baxter.

That leaves Oregon and Ohio State. Of these two, the more likely victory is clearly Oregon. The Ducks are brand new to the Big Ten, and will be travelling across the country to play in Ann Arbor in November. Granted, it will be the beginning of November, but weather and jet lag could play a role.

The Ducks have struggled in big games, and this game should have huge playoff and Big Ten ramifications. If Oregon comes into their game against Michigan with a loss to Ohio State, the Michigan game becomes a must-win for Oregon if they want to make it to the Big Ten Championship. Likewise, Michigan football could potentially clinch a Big Ten title berth with a victory.

By November, Michigan's offense should be clicking and the quarterback situation should be figured out. This just feels like a game that Michigan should win, so I'm giving it to the Wolverines.

That brings us to Ohio State. While there's nothing I want more than to beat Ohio State in Columbus and see their fanbase explode, I'm not comfortable predicting a victory just yet. If one of Michigan's quarterbacks develops into a star, then this could change. But the Buckeyes should be the most talented team in the nation (on paper), and Ryan Day's job is going to be on the line against Michigan.

So for now, I'm going to predict a loss against Ohio State. It is noteworthy to point out that if both teams enter this game undefeated in Big Ten play, this game could have no significance. There's a real chance that by the end of the regular season, both Michigan football and Ohio State are guaranteed to rematch in the Big Ten Championship. At that point, I don't even know what would happen; would starters be rested? Would the playbook be vanilla? Who knows.

Ultimately, I think that the Wolverines will go 2-1 in their three biggest games of the season, winning against Texas and Oregon and falling to Ohio State (but possibly getting revenge a week later). At 11-1, Michigan would be playing for a Big Ten title and a top-two seed in the College Football Playoffs. While that is certainly optimistic, this team can definitely get it done. Go blue!