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Parting thoughts on the 2022 Michigan football team

After Michigan’s 2022 football season came to a close, we have some parting thoughts about the Wolverines’ 13-1 campaign.

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Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh takes the field with the team at the start of the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 31 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

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.

FOOTBALL

Latest buzz on impressive Michigan football freshman wide receivers

Here is the latest buzz from Schembechler Hall regarding a few rising stars — these Michigan football freshman wideouts are impressive!

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Michigan football, wide receivers, Ron Bellamy, Big Ten
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Wolverines’ wide receiver corps is led by Roman Wilson — the NCAA’s leader in touchdown catches (6) — and Cornelius Johnson. That said, below these two talented veterans are a number of impressive Michigan football freshman wideouts, who recently earned some high praise from wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy ahead of this weekend’s Big Ten conference opener against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-0).

Michigan football freshman wide receivers continue to impress

Unlike the previous two seasons, the Michigan football offense is really starting to air the ball out often this fall. Aside from an unimpressive game against Bowling Green, junior quarterback JJ McCarthy has been dominant this year, which is a trend he hopes to keep up during this week’s matchup against Rutgers.

Ron Bellamy gives the latest ahead of this week’s Big Ten opener

Among this year’s wide receiver corps are a number of Michigan football freshman standouts, who have been turning heads throughout fall camp and even into the first few games of the season. Yesterday, Ron Bellamy — Michigan’s WR coach — gave the latest on these rising star Wolverines.

“They’re doing well,” Ron Bellamy said of the Michigan football freshman wide receivers. “They’re doing well — you can’t treat them like freshmen. I tell them all the time, ‘Whoever we play, they’re not going to look across and say, ‘Oh, this is an 18-year-old freshman here; take it easy on him.’ No, they are going to be attacking like they would any other player.’ That has to be the mindset, and we don’t treat them like freshmen. Those guys are diligent about their craft. That’s the thing I like about them. And that’s why they’re getting opportunities. Those guys are constantly wanting to learn and making sure that they’re dialed in and detailed in everything that we do.”

Keep an eye out for these freshmen when Michigan football takes the field

Ideally, Michigan football won’t need to rely on these freshman wideouts just yet; however, if you start to see names like Semaj Morgan, Fredrick Moore, and others getting some notable in-game reps, don’t be too surprised. From the sound of things, it seems that the Wolverines are confident in many of these rising stars, and are looking to continue developing them into the next generation of elite offensive skill players to wear the Maize and Blue.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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Top analyst has an interesting message for Michigan football fans

Top analyst Joel Klatt has some interesting thoughts about Michigan football heading into the Wolverines’ Big Ten opener this weekend.

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Michigan football fans, Joel Klatt, Big Ten conference, Penn State, Ohio State
Sep 9, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Roman Wilson (1) celebrates his touchdown against the UNLV Rebels with teammates during the first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Last weekend, the Maize and Blue won their third-straight game of the 2023 season, downing the Bowling Green State Falcons by 25 points at home. While JJ McCarthy and the offense struggled, the Wolverines are still undefeated heading into Big Ten conference play this weekend. Still, with Penn State and Ohio State playing great football right now, top college football analyst Joel Klatt has an interesting message for Michigan football fans — he thinks that folks in Ann Arbor should be “antsy” right now.

Joel Klatt has an interesting take for Michigan football fans

Sure, last weekend’s victory over Bowling Green wasn’t pretty; however, Ohio State and Penn State have both seen their fair share of struggles so far this year. In fact, even outside of the Big Ten conference, schools like Texas, Alabama, and even Georgia have not been looking like their usual selves lately. Still, Joel Klatt says that there should be some tension among the Michigan football fanbase due to recent lackluster play during the non-conference slate.

“With what’s going on in the Big Ten East, namely Penn State and Ohio State? I would feel antsy if I were you, Michigan fans,” Joel Klatt explained on his show, ‘The Joel Klatt Show.’ “The one thing that will derail your season faster than anything else is if JJ McCarthy starts to turn the ball over. That’s why I would be antsy.”

“I know you’re going to run the football fine, I really do. I’m pretty confident that the defense is going to play really well. The one unknown is how efficient can JJ (McCarthy) play? Now, he was really good a year ago until late. Obviously, the TCU game (last year’s College Football Playoff semi-final), it got a little bit loose, and guess what? They (Michigan football) lost.”

Thoughts on what Klatt said about the Wolverines heading into Big Ten conference play

Now, I am going to disagree with Joel Klatt a bit here in a few aspects. First off, Michigan football has not proven that it can run the football consistently yet, and the offensive line is yet to mesh. This idea that the rushing attack will be elite this year because it was last year is simply not true — it’s a hard thing to admit, but fans are yet to see the same bruising Wolverines that they did over the past two seasons. Not that it won’t develop, but so far, Michigan is not nearly as dominant on the ground as it was in 2021 and 2022.

Additionally, Klatt said that JJ McCarthy was good in 2022 until late in the season, which is really not that accurate. JJ McCarthy was not seen as a great quarterback until the Ohio State game hit — not to say that fans didn’t see the talent, but he struggled to really get things going consistently until the final three games of the year, including the Wolverines’ CFP loss.

Right now, Michigan football fans should not be too concerned, if you ask me. That said, as the weeks go by and the Penn State and Ohio State matchups get closer, we need to see more from the Wolverines. The fact of the matter is that, with Michigan’s schedule this year, the Maize and Blue can have many shortcomings and still begin the year 9-0 — it’s the final three games that will truly define the 2023 team, so long as they can avoid upset beforehand.


Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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Michigan football coach explains what makes Rutgers’ offense dangerous

Michigan football coach Jesse Minter explains what makes Rutgers’ offense so dangerous.

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Michigan football, Jesse Minter, Rutgers, Greg Schiano
Nov 5, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Michael Barrett (23) returns an interception during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are coming to town this weekend to face off against the 2nd-ranked Wolverines for both teams’ Big Ten opener. Both Rutgers and Michigan are 3-0 right now with two of the top defenses in the nation, and on Saturday, Greg Schiano and Jim Harbaugh will clash in a Big Ten matchup for the fourth time. It’s worth noting that, while the Wolverines are undefeated against Rutgers during Harbaugh’s tenure, Schiano has always given the Maize and Blue a close game. Yesterday, second-year Michigan football coach Jesse Minter (DC) explained why the Scarlet Knights’ offense is dangerous.

Michigan football cannot afford to overlook the Rutgers Scarlet Knights

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are heading into Big Ten play with their heads held high, boasting a 3-0 record on the season thus far. Perhaps Rutgers’ most impressive victory in quite some time was last weekend’s blowout win over Virginia Tech, which is yet another momentum builder for Greg Schiano heading into Week 4, which will be Jim Harbaugh’s first game in the Big House in over 300 days.

Michigan football coach Jesse Minter explains why Greg Schiano & Co. are so dangerous

According to Jesse Minter, Rutgers has an offense that is physical and methodical, making them a solid Big Ten test for the Wolverines’ top-ranked defense, which recently climbed to No. 1 in the nation after a 31-6 win over Bowling Green.

“Their physicality,” Jesse Minter said yesterday, talking about Rutgers’ offense. “They play a style of football to try to control the clock, gain yards running the football, pretty safe throws in the passing game. A quarterback that adds an element in the rushing attack as well. They’re built how coach Schiano teaches and just as how I would portray probably a longtime super successful defensive coordinator, how his team would be built is how they play right now. And they play a complementary football similar to us.

“I would say where their defense is playing well, their special teams is always really good,” Minter continued. “And then they play complementary football. So even though maybe they don’t score 50, but they’re controlling the clock, they’re getting touchdowns, they’re getting the lead, they’re keeping the lead, they’re able to play pretty conservative and not put themselves in harm’s way. And that formula over the first three games, they’ve been really successful with.”

Michigan football enters this weekend’s game as a 24-point favorite over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Last year, despite being down by a field goal at halftime, the Wolverines put Rutgers to bed on the road, 52-17.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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