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Sports Illustrated predicts the best and worst case for Michigan in 2023

Are the Wolverines building towards greatness or will they fall short this fall?

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Michigan Wolverines football 2023, Jim Harbaugh
© Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

Against all odds, Jim Harbaugh turned his program around two seasons ago, going from 2-4 in 2020 to 12-2 and winning a Big Ten title in 2021. Following his second-straight Big Ten title, College Football Playoff appearance, and triumph over Ohio State, new best and worst-case scenario predictions are being placed for the 2023 Michigan Wolverines football season. Are the Wolverines national title contenders or pretenders heading into the 2023 season?

The best case scenario for the 2023 Michigan Wolverines football season

According to the new preseason predictions for the 2023 Michigan Wolverines football season, Michigan’s best-case scenario is a 15-0 finish with a third-straight Big Ten title, and the program’s first national title game win.

Despite some challenging road games — such as Penn State, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Maryland — the 2023 Michigan football roster is talented enough and experienced enough to overcome harsh road obstacles. A season ago, we saw the Michigan Wolverines walk into Columbus, where they hadn’t won since the year 2000, and defeat the No. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes by over 20 points — anything is possible for the 2023 squad.

Aside from a massive mid-November road game in State College, the only other preseason-ranked team that Michigan football will face is Rydan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes, who will be searching for revenge after being embarrassed twice in a row at the hands of Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines. While Michigan must still overcome the usual Big Ten East teams, such as Michigan State, the conference is currently looking like a three-team league, with Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State as the only rankable teams at the moment.

The worst case for the Wolverines this fall

If everything goes wrong for Michigan football this fall, Sports Illustrated is still pretty high on Jim Harbaugh & Co., predicting that the Wolverines will still finish with nine wins all said and done.

In a world where everything goes wrong this fall, SI still sees the Michigan Wolverines falling just short of Jim Harbaugh’s sixth 10-win season since taking over as head coach, going 9-4 to finish the year. In this scenario, Michigan will suffer key losses at Michigan State, at Penn State, against Ohio State, and in the program’s bowl game. Still, Michigan football’s 9-4 record would be good enough to end the season ranked.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics 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 Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, 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!

FOOTBALL

2 new Michigan football transfer portal commits earn high praise from CBS Sports

Today, two Michigan football transfer portal pick ups were named Big Ten impact players.

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Michigan football transfer portal, Ernest Hausmann, Josaiah Stewart
Nov 18, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; An Michigan Wolverines helmet during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

This week, a list of the most impactful Big Ten transfers was released. On this prestigious list are two new Michigan football transfer portal commits — Ernest Hausmann and Josaiah Stewart — both of whom are expected to come in and boost the Wolverines’ chances of winning a national championship in their first year with the Maize and Blue. Alongside these two new Wolverines is an old one: Cade McNamara, who transferred to Iowa after losing the starting job to JJ McCarthy in 2022.

Michigan football transfer portal additions turning heads nationally

Since joining the Maize and Blue, two names have garnered significant attention: Josaiah Stewart and Ernest Hausmann. Both of these young men have shown immense talent and are expected to make a substantial impact on the Michigan football team this fall.

If they live up to expectations, they have a good chance of earning spots among the All-Big Ten selections and beyond. This week, a new CBS Sports report named both young men ‘impact’ Big Ten transfers, adding to the hype surrounding the Wolverines’ 2023 transfer portal class.

Ernest Hausmann named a Big Ten impact transfer portal commit

Ernest Hausmann has been one of the most talked about players in recent Michigan football history. The Wolverines needed a new linebacker, and at the time, Hausmann was the No. 1 player in the transfer portal. With that, Jim Harbaugh aimed high, and locked down the former Nebraska Cornhuskers for himself.

Since becoming a new Michigan football transfer portal commit, Hausmann has been turning heads in Ann Arbor, and is earning tons of respect among his peers in the Maize and Blue.

“His natural athletic ability. He’s smart, fast, can move,” said senior linebacker Michael Barrett earlier this year. “How fast he’s learning the defense, coming along with our guys, blending in, meshing together well with everyone. He’s gonna be a great player. I like his enthusiasm, the way he flies around at practice. He always has a smile on his face. He’s going to bring something to this team.”

Josaiah Stewart is hungry and ready to prove himself

Another significant addition to the Michigan football team via the transfer portal this offseason was Josaiah Stewart, a former standout pass rusher from Coastal Carolina. Despite being considered undersized for an edge rusher, Stewart has showcased his skills throughout his young college football career and is generating a great deal of excitement as he prepares for his first season with a Power Five school.

Despite concerns about his size, experience, and talent, Stewart remains focused and determined to prove himself on a national stage with one of the top programs in the nation. According to Stewart himself, he is fully committed to helping the Maize and Blue pursue a national championship in his very first year in Ann Arbor this upcoming fall.

“You can tell [Michigan football] is a winning environment,” Stewart said. “You can tell how seriously they take winning here, and we all know what the goal is — it’s not just the Big Ten Championship, it’s a national championship. And you can feel that as soon as you walk in the building.”



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics 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 Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, 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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BREAKING: Full 2024 and 2025 Michigan football Big Ten schedules released

Here is the full 2024 and 2025 Big Ten schedule for Michigan football.

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Michigan football schedule, Big Ten

The 2024 and 2025 Michigan football Big Ten schedules have just been announced. With the addition of USC and UCLA to the Big Ten conference, the Maize and Blue’s schedules have undergone some changes. However, these adjustments have resulted in intriguing matchups for Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines. Let’s take a look at who Michigan will be facing now that UCLA and USC are members of the Big Ten:

2024 Michigan football schedule

Following this season, the Michigan football schedule for 2024 gets pretty exciting, including a road trip to LA to face USC, and a home game against the UCLA Bruins. Here is the full 2024 schedule as of right now (no order).

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  • Maryland
  • Michigan State
  • Minnesota
  • UCLA
  • Wisconsin

AWAY

2025 Michigan football schedule

For year two of the new-look Big Ten conference slate, here is who is on the 2025 Michigan football schedule (no order).

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FLEX opponents

Under the new Big Ten scheduling rules, each program will have three opponents that they must face at home and on the road, as well as two protected games. Here is who the Wolverines have as flex opponents in 2024 and 2025.

FLEX: Maryland

PROTECTED RIVALRY: Michigan State, Ohio State



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FOOTBALL

JUST IN: Michigan football will play USC and UCLA in 2024

New reports show that Michigan football will face both USC and UCLA in 2024.

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Michigan football, USC, UCLA, Big Ten
Jan 1, 2007; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback (7) Chad Henne is pressured by Southern California Trojans defensive end (96) Lawrence Jackson and defensive end (84) Kyle Moore in the third quarter of the Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2007 Mark J. Rebilas

Exciting news has emerged regarding the 2024 Big Ten football schedule, as some details have been revealed, highlighting two highly anticipated matchups for Michigan football. The latest information, leaked by Brett Murphey, discloses that the Maize and Blue will be taking on two of the conference’s newest additions — USC and UCLA — next season, with one game scheduled to take place in Los Angeles and the other in the iconic football town of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Although specific dates and times are yet to be announced, these games already hold great significance for both Michigan and their West Coast opponents.

New Michigan football opponents for the 2024 season

The Wolverines will embark on a journey to face the USC Trojans in the grand city of Los Angeles. This meeting between the two storied programs promises to be a historic matchup, reminiscent of their legendary battles in the revered Rose Bowl game.

As the Maize and Blue make their way to the West Coast, they will undoubtedly bring with them a rich football tradition, while also encountering the vibrant atmosphere and passionate Trojan fanbase. The clash between these two titans of the gridiron will captivate football enthusiasts nationwide, evoking memories of classic contests and igniting new rivalries.

On the other hand, the UCLA Bruins will venture into the heart of Big Ten country, stepping foot in the illustrious Big House in Ann Arbor for the very first time. This encounter carries special significance, as PAC-12 programs rarely venture into the traditional domain of the Big Ten.

The Bruins’ visit to Ann Arbor will not only test their mettle against a formidable Michigan squad but also expose them to the elements of a potential October or November game.

Cold weather may pose a threat to LA-based teams

With colder temperatures prevailing during those months, the Bruins, hailing from the sunny city of Los Angeles, will face an additional challenge adapting to the unforgiving climate of the Midwest. Consequently, this contest will be watched closely by fans across the nation, eager to witness how the LA-based program fares against a formidable opponent in a different environment.

As anticipation builds for the 2024 season, these matchups between the Michigan Wolverines and the newly added West Coast teams, USC and UCLA, have generated tremendous excitement.

Football enthusiasts eagerly await the announcement of specific dates and times, eagerly marking their calendars for these highly anticipated clashes. Whether it’s the clash between two historic powerhouses in Los Angeles or the Bruins’ inaugural visit to the Big House, these games will undoubtedly serve as major highlights of the upcoming season, showcasing the rich tapestry of college football and the enthralling competition that lies ahead.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics 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 Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, 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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