Phil Steele adds more hype to two key games on the 2023 Michigan football schedule

This week, top college football analyst Phil Steele released his projected top 25 college football teams for the upcoming season. According to Steele, the Maize and Blue are among the nation’s top three teams, coming in at No. 3 in his initial preseason poll. Additionally, two key opponents are also ranked in the top five, adding even more hype to these crucial matchups on the 2023 Michigan football schedule.

2023 Michigan football schedule contains a few daunting top 5 matchups

All college football fans know that the most important game on the 2023 Michigan football schedule is against the Ohio State Buckeyes, who are ranked No. 2 in Phil Steele’s initial preseason top 25 power rankings. Since the turn of the decade, the Maize and Blue have turned the tide in this heated rivalry, defeating the Buckeyes in 2021 by 15 points and in 2022 by 22 points.

Last season, Michigan football made the trip to Columbus, setting up a massive No. 2 versus No. 3 matchup with both teams boasting 11-0 records. The Wolverines secured a resounding 45-23 victory en route to another Big Ten title and more. According to Steele’s new poll, No. 2 Ohio State will visit Ann Arbor this year to face No. 3 Michigan in yet another showdown between the Big Ten’s top programs.

In addition to this colossal top-three showdown, the 2023 Michigan football schedule includes another significant top-five matchup. In mid-November, the Maize and Blue are poised to face the Nittany Lions on the road for the first time since their 21-17 victory in State College back in 2021. According to Steele’s rankings, the Penn State Nittany Lions are ranked No. 5 nationally, indicating that the Wolverines will have two top-five Big Ten East matchups during the final month of the regular season alone.

Few programs have to face numerous top-five teams during the regular season, making the 2023 Michigan football schedule a daunting task for the Wolverines as they pursue another Big Ten title and more later this year.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at [email protected]. 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!