Parting thoughts on the 2022 Michigan football team

Michigan football came into the season with high expectations, and through 13 games, the season was going better than expected. Now, after the Wolverines’ 6-point loss to TCU in the Fiesta Bowl, here are my parting thoughts on Michigan’s 2022 season.

Michigan football is a contender

The College Football Playoff (CFP) loss hurts for many reasons, but like last year’s Playoff, Michigan absolutely belonged. The Wolverines made some costly mistakes that ultimately lost them the game against TCU; however, Michigan football had one of the best resumes in the land.

After the Wolverines went 12-2 a year ago, many thought that Michigan football would not win another Big Ten Championship or beat Ohio State again for another decade. In 2022, Michigan needed to change people’s minds, and did just that.

The Wolverines went 12-0 in the regular season, beat Penn State (41-17), Michigan State (29-7) and Ohio State (45-23), and won the Big Ten Championship game against Purdue (43-22).

If nothing else, the Wolverines established themselves as a contender, not a pretender. Michigan is no longer just a “one hit wonder,” and could be gearing up for another run in 2023.

This team was one of the best in school history

Michigan football has a long and prestigious history on the football field. Still, few have come close to the status that the 2022 Wolverines have earned.

For the first time in program history, U-M won 13 games in a single season. On top of that, Michigan beat MSU, PSU, and OSU in the same season for the first time in my lifetime. For the second time in my lifetime, the Wolverines won back-to-back Big Ten Championships — the first time was 2003-04 under Lloyd Carr.

Michigan will likely end the season ranked No. 3 in the polls with a 13-1 record. It was an honor and a privilege being able to watch this year’s team, and going forward I am excited to see if Jim Harbaugh and Co. can build off of this incredible momentum.

Bowl season is Jim Harbaugh’s downfall

I know that I am going to upset the “Bowl Season doesn’t matter” crowd with this one, but what I am saying is valid. Sure, bowls mean less than they used to, but a 1-6 record in bowl games is unacceptable. Since Harbaugh’s massive win over Florida in the Citrus bowl in 2016, the Wolverines are 0-6.

Not only is Michigan 1-6 in bowls under Harbaugh, but this losing streak includes the 0-2 record in College Football Playoff games. In both cases, it was the “same old Wolverines” in a sense. Michigan football just looked mentally out of it, mistake-prone, and unprepared in both Playoff losses.

I love Harbaugh and what he has done at Michigan thus far, but that does not mean he cannot be criticized. What does he do for the month leading up to his team’s post-season games? Whatever it is, it isn’t working. Michigan needs to start winning some bowl game hardware and that needs to start soon for Jim Harbaugh — especially if Michigan football continues to make a run at the CFP.

I will take the Big Ten Championships, but at some point the Wolverines should be aspiring for more. If you’re getting a shot at these trophies, you need to capitalize.

Michigan made too many mistakes in the CFP

A year ago, it felt as if the Wolverines were just out-matched by the eventual National Champion Georgia Bulldogs. Last weekend, though, it seemed as if Michigan football just continued to beat itself.

Now, some people will blame the refs for the Wolverines’ loss; however, the officials did not fumble on the goal-line or throw two pick-6s. Michigan looked sloppy on defense, was mistake-prone on offense, and had too many mental slip ups towards the end of the game.

The TCU game is best summed up by the Wolverines’ final offensive play: an early snap that was eventually lost to the Horned Frogs and sealed the game. The sad reality is that Michigan football is not playing in a National Championship game next week because they beat themselves in every phase of the Fiesta Bowl loss.

Michigan football should be favored in 2023

Despite how that Playoff game went, we need to remember that this Michigan team embarrassed the entire Big Ten conference all season long. One bad game does not make or break a season, though sadly this one came at season’s end.

Still, the Wolverines are in good shape. Between returning starters on next year’s team, returning coaches, transfer portal pickups, and more, the Wolverines still have a bright future. As of right now, I see no reason why Michigan football should not be the early favorite to win the Big Ten and head to the CFP for a third-straight season in 2023.

There are three men that give me hope for the Wolverines’ 2023 campaign going similar to the 2022 season: JJ McCarthy, Donovan Edwards, and Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines need all three to stay as hungry as ever, but this trio could very well win another conference title and beat Ohio State again.

The Buckeyes might not be looking too hot next year, but Penn State football will be a major threat to Michigan’s throne. Both are must-win games, but games that I think Michigan can win. It is way too early to start seriously talking about the 2023 season, but as of right now I expect more of the same from the boys in Blue a year from now.

JJ has been and still is the guy for Michigan football

Throughout the 2022 season, one of the biggest stoylines that Michigan fans have needed to follow was the development of JJ McCarthy. Week 2, McCarthy got his first start and took the job from former QB Cade McNamara.

Michigan football never looked back, and eventually boasted a 13-0 record. Still, the Wolverines’ QB appeared to struggle. In games such as Maryland, Illinois, and others, McCarthy appeared to be off, which was alarming at the time.

Still, in the Ohio State and Purdue games, McCarthy showed that he is the best man for the QB job. While McCarthy made two costly mistakes in the CFP that handed TCU 14 points, he was also the only reason Michigan football was still in the game late into the 4th quarter.

Next year, I expect another massive leap forward for McCarthy — it’s clear that he is the guy right now.