Michigan football on the trajectory to win a national championship

This year’s Michigan football team is perhaps the best that the Wolverines have had in decades. On paper, it’s by far the best roster that Jim Harbaugh has had in his nearly 9-year tenure in Ann Arbor. Heading into the 2023 season, the Wolverines are gunning for the program’s first national championship since 1997 and appear to be on the best trajectory possible to achieve that.

Michigan football turns things around

In 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic and a shortened season, Michigan football finished with a 2-4 record, including crushing losses against Michigan State, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Penn State. It was rock bottom for Jim Harbaugh during his time in Ann Arbor. The season after, Harbaugh claimed that the Maize and Blue would finally get over the hump, or they would die trying.

In a shocking turn of events, Michigan football did exactly what Jim Harbaugh said they would. The Wolverines finished the regular season 11-1 with wins at Penn State and over Ohio State. The Maize and Blue went on to crush a top 15 Iowa squad in the Big Ten title game, winning 42-3 and claiming the program’s first conference championship since 2004. Michigan also secured their ticket to the College Football Playoff.

2022 proves to be a huge year for the Wolverines

In 2022, with a new quarterback at the helm, Michigan football proved to be a consistent threat, finishing with a perfect regular season record of 12-0. The Wolverines destroyed everything in their path, beating Michigan State by 22, Penn State by 24, and Ohio State by 22, before winning the Big Ten title game by 21 points. Additionally, the Maize and Blue appeared in the College Football Playoff for the second-straight season but fell short once again.

Can 2023 be a national championship season?

In 2023, Michigan football is determined to take the next step and potentially claim the national championship for the first time in nearly three decades.

“I think the culmination of everyone on the team and the staff, there’s just one goal in mind,” Michigan football offensive lineman Trevor Keegan said following the Wolverines’ spring game. “And it’s just to win and it’s to win a national championship and I think we’re on a really good trajectory right now.”

The Wolverines have all the pieces to claim a national championship this year. Now, Michigan football needs to prove it on the field and finally get over the hump by winning a third-straight Big Ten title, a College Football Playoff game, and more.

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