A key early game on the 2023 Michigan football schedule

As seen in years past, there is a crucial game on the 2023 Michigan football schedule that will set the tone early for the Wolverines. This year, that game will be against the Nebraska Cornhuskers; here’s why.

Michigan football could set the tone early with a major road win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers

At the start of the decade, the Wolverines hit an all-time low, finishing the year with a 2-4 overall record, including embarrassing losses to Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Penn State. The following season, Michigan found itself back to where the program has historically been, winning 12 games in total, claiming a Big Ten title and making a playoff appearance along the way. The year after that, Michigan went 13-1, once again winning the conference and appearing in the playoff.

During both of those seasons, Michigan football had a massive early performance that set the tone for the remainder of the year. In 2021, there were two major examples of this — Michigan defeated Washington by 21 points during Week 2 and blew past Wisconsin on the road a few weeks later. Both of these wins sent a clear message to the world of college football: the Wolverines were back.

The following season, Michigan football had a few early rough performances, including narrow wins over Maryland and Iowa. However, the Maize and Blue had an important early-October battle against a top-10 Penn State team back in Ann Arbor. While the first half appeared to be a back-and-forth battle, the Wolverines pulled away with an impressive 41-17 victory over the Nittany Lions. For the remainder of the schedule, Michigan appeared to be a brand new team, claiming massive wins over the Michigan State Spartans (29-7) and the Ohio State Buckeyes (45-23).

When it comes to the 2023 Michigan football schedule, the Wolverines have quite an easy start to the year. Michigan’s non-conference slate is underwhelming, to say the least, and to kick off Big Ten play, the Maize and Blue will host Rutgers in Week 4. That said, a key early test will come during Week 5 when the Wolverines hit the road to face the Nebraska Cornhuskers, which will likely be a game comparable to Michigan’s 2021 matchup with Wisconsin.

Nebraska looks a lot better than it did in years past under new head coach Matt Rhule, and seeing as this will be Michigan’s first road game of the 2023 season, this should be a good measuring stick for the Wolverines. The last time Michigan went to Lincoln, NE, the eventual Big Ten champion Wolverines narrowly escaped with a 3-point victory over the 3-9 Cornhuskers.

When Michigan football hits the road to face the Cornhuskers this year, it will be a huge opportunity for the Wolverines to set the tone for the remainder of their regular season. If Michigan can make a statement on the road against Nebraska, the Maize and Blue will once again be on the right track toward claiming a Big Ten title and more this fall.

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