Michigan football projected win total released by 247 Sports

Earlier this month, 247 Sports guessed where each Big Ten program’s projected win total would sit heading into the 2023 season this fall. At the top of the conference are two familiar faces: Ohio State and Michigan football.

Michigan, Ohio State sit at the top of Big Ten win totals

In 2022, despite turnover and adversity, the Michigan football team ran the Big Ten en route to a 13-1 finish and a second-straight Big Ten title. Heading into ‘The Game’ between Michigan and Ohio State, both U-M and OSU remained undefeated (11-0) and were ranked No. 2 and No. 3 respectively. Of course, the Wolverines won that game, 45-23, which earned Michigan a bid to the Big Ten title game, where they defeated Purdue, 43-22.

This season, 247 expects the Wolverines and Buckeyes to see a similar matchup by season’s end. Right now, Ohio State and Michigan football both are projected to win 11 games during the 2023 regular season.

Potential losses for Michigan football

Last season was an incredible one — the Wolverines finished the regular season 12-0 and won 10 Big Ten games for the first time in program history. Still, going undefeated in the regular season is not easy for anyone — we frequently see the Alabama-level programs drop at least one game per year, even if it’s considered a fluke.

There is a series of tough games on Michigan’s schedule this fall, though two stick out the most: at Penn State and Ohio State. The Buckeyes, as they always are, will obviously be a threat to the Wolverines’ title hopes, though Michigan football gets to face Ohio State at home. The Nittany Lions could turn out to be an even bigger issue — Penn State football is looking loaded on both sides of the ball, and winning at Beaver Stadium is not easy. Jim Harbaugh is 2-2 in Beaver Stadium — both of his wins came against 7-6 Penn State teams.

Other notable win totals

While 247 Sports predicted win totals for the entire Big Ten, a few of them stand out or are more-relevant to Michigan football than others.

Michigan State

Michigan’s in-state rival, the Michigan State Spartans, are coming off of a disappointing 5-7 season a year ago. Still, the Spartans will host Michigan in East Lansing, and are always a tough game to win (hence why Harbaugh is 4-4 against MSU). Michigan State’s projected win total sits at 6.5.

Penn State

Despite losing to Michigan, 41-17, in mid-October, the Penn State Nittany Lions went on to finish the season 11-2 overall with a Rose Bowl victory and a No. 7 final ranking. This year, with former No. 1 prospect Drew Allar under center, James Franklin and Penn State could be real contenders for a conference title and more. The Nittany Lions’ projected win total is set at 9.5.

Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Badgers had an underwhelming 7-6 campaign in 2022, though since have hired a new head football coach, made some crucial additions, and could be coming for it all this year. The Badgers are the fourth and final Big Ten team ranked in the SP+ preseason top-25 (behind No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Michigan, and No. 5 Penn State) as they sit at No. 25 overall. Additionally, Wisconsin is the only Big Ten West team listed in the rankings.

The Badgers are not on Michigan’s regular season schedule; however, if the Wolverines make it to the Big Ten Championship Game for the third year in a row, Luke Fickell could be standing on the opposing sideline. Wisconsin’s win total is set at 8.

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