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The expectations for Michigan football are sky high in 2023

The bittersweet reality of Michigan football winning back-to-back Big Ten titles is that the expectations for the Wolverines are sky high.

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Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Over the past two seasons, Jim Harbaugh has gradually been raising the standard that U-M fans are used to. After Harbaugh’s announcement that he will be back in 2023 and a series of key players announcing their return to Ann Arbor, the expectations in Ann Arbor have never been higher.

Now, it is put up or shut up time for the Michigan Wolverines — a Big Ten Championship is expected, and even more is desired.

2021 broke trends and set a new expectation

From the start of the Jim Harbaugh era in Ann Arbor, it felt as if Michigan football was close but never quite there. Harbaugh’s worst season in Ann Arbor was an 8-5 finish in 2017; his best was a 13-1 season in 2022. Spread throughout Harbaugh’s eight years as Michigan’s head coach are five 10+ win seasons, an eight-win season, a nine-win season, a Citrus Bowl win, and two Big Ten Championships.

Still, after six years as head coach, Jim Harbaugh was not taking Michigan football to the next level. The Wolverines were stuck being a “good/great” program and not an elite one. Harbaugh’s results were good, but not what the fans and media expected. Harbaugh’s first six years as head coach:

  1. 2015: 10-3, Citrus Bowl Champs
  2. 2016: 10-3
  3. 2017: 8-5
  4. 2018: 10-3
  5. 2019: 9-4
  6. 2020: 2-4

The 2019 and 2020 seasons were a disappointing time to be a Michigan football fan — the Wolverines’ 11-8 record was far below average for U-M football and was a big turning point for Jim Harbaugh’s reputation as Michigan’s head coach.

In 2021 — coming off the heels of a piss-poor 2-4 season — the Wolverines needed a massive bounce-back season. Jim Harbaugh was on the hot seat, and his contract reflected it. It was time to deliver or find a new home, and Harbaugh knew it. Despite a 4-point loss in East Lansing, Harbaugh’s Wolverines went on to beat Penn State in State College, and finally, Ohio State in Ann Arbor.

Michigan’s 15-point win over Ohio State was the program’s first since 2011 and sent the Wolverines to the conference title game with an 11-1 record. Michigan proceeded to beat No. 13 Iowa, 42-3, and make its first-ever College Football Playoff.

Though the Wolverines lost by 23 points to the eventual National Champions, Georgia, U-M finished No. 3 in the polls with a 12-2 record — the programs most wins and highest finish since 1997. It was a breath of fresh air for Michigan football and was a turning point for the Wolverines’ reputation and image.

The standard is made official in 2022

Michigan was called a “one and done” — among other things — after its 2021 season. People called the Wolverines “lucky” and said that Michigan football would not win the Big Ten or overcome the Buckeyes again for another decade or more. Still, the Wolverines proved all of that wrong during its 2022 campaign.

Not only was Michigan’s 2022 season even better than its 2021 season, but the Wolverines dominated everyone in their way until the CFP semifinal. For the first time since 1997, Michigan started the year 12-0 overall; additionally, the Wolverines beat Michigan State by 22, Penn State by 24, and Ohio State by 22. If that was not enough, the Wolverines beat Purdue in the Big Ten Championship game by 21 points.

2022 was Michigan’s first-ever 13-win seasons, its first-ever back-to-back 12-win seasons, and its first back-to-back top-3 finishes since 1947-48. Without a doubt this had been the best stretch of Michigan football that we have seen in some time; heading into 2023, a new standard has been set and maintained for the football team in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Michigan football wants more in 2023

Michigan football has won 25 of its last 28 games — including two wins over Ohio State and two Big Ten Championships in a row. That being said, Michigan football is 0-2 in College Football Playoff games and is striving for more this fall. The Wolverines have already beaten Ohio State, won the conference, and more. Now, it is time to take another step in the right direction.

Michigan football is returning much of this year’s 13-1 football team, including its starting quarterback, its elite RB duo, its elite offensive line, its incredible coaching staff, and much more. With all of these pieces on their roster, the Wolverines have few excuses to not run the Big Ten in 2023.

Michigan’s biggest test will likely be heading to State College to face a loaded Penn State team; Michigan also gets a rebuilding Ohio State team at home to end the season, and frankly, nothing about Michigan State scares me right now.

Michigan football continues to take steps in the right direction, and in 2023, the Wolverines should again make strides towards winning a National Championship.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebookand 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 or DM him on Twitter, @CJsWrld_.

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Now wearing No. 8, Tyler Morris looks to fill the sizable shoes of Ronnie Bell

The Michigan Wolverines have a new No. 8 on their sidelines, and he is looking to make an immediate impact.

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Michigan football Tyler Morris
Nov 5, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Tyler Morris (13) signals for a first dow in front of Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive lineman Mohamed Toure (8) during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

ANN ARBOR, MI — A season ago, 5th-year senior wide receiver Ronnie Bell quickly became the focal point of Michigan’s solid passing attack. Despite tearing his ACL in Week 1 of the 2021 season (during the Wolverines’ 47-14 win over Western Michigan), it was clear that Bell was JJ McCarthy’s favorite pass-catcher from the very beginning. Now, with Ronnie Bell leaving the program for the NFL Draft, Michigan football needs a new face to step up and fill Bell’s sizable shoes: Tyler Morris.

Michigan football is hopeful that Tyler Morris catches his stride in 2023

Even if you have been following Michigan football for quite some time, there is a good chance that you have not heard the name Tyler Morris before. Out of high school, Morris was rated as a four-star recruit by 247 Sports, and ranked as the No. 133 player in the nation, the No. 22 wide receiver in his class, and the No. 4 player in the state of Illinois — he signed with Michigan as a member of the 2022 recruiting class.

Yet, during Morris’s senior year of high school, he tore his ACL, which has largely hindered him throughout his college playing career thus far. Heading into the 2023 season, Morris looks to be back at full strength. A season ago, Tyler Morris donned the No. 13 jersey, which has been frequently worn by fan favorites — such as Eddie McDoom — in the past; however, in 2023, Morris will pay tribute to former Michigan football standout Ronnie Bell and don the No. 8 jersey.

What can Wolverines fans expect from Morris this season?

If Michigan football is lucky, Morris will live up to the jersey number and step into a starting role — Morris knows that there is a lot to learn, but he is up to the challenge.

“I feel like it’s going good. For me just a lot more comfortable,” Morris told the media during the Wolverines’ spring practices. “Last year, freshman year, you’re trying to figure everything out. You don’t know the offense, you don’t really know just how to program works completely. I was still trying to come back from my knee a little bit. So this year, I feel like I’m just more comfortable, used to things, know how it goes. So it’s not too much, trying to figure everything out as much.”

This year’s Michigan football offense is incredibly fast, and with that speed comes a lot of danger for opposing defenses.

“I think just how fast it goes. We’re putting plays in, everything’s moving fast, you got to figure everything out,” Morris said. “There’s different situations that in high school you’re not thinking about that. There’s just — you’re kind of just playing football. So just a lot more thinking and details that go into it now.”

If you want to play for Michigan football as a wide receiver, you’re going to need to know how to block. There is no getting around that fact — the Wolverines simply run the football too often for anyone that touches the field to not get out front and block.

“I have no issue with blocking. That’s just part of the game,” Morris said. “You can’t be a receiver and expect to only go catch to score touchdowns and all that. Especially being at our school, we’ve got great backs. So we’re going to run the ball and you’ve got to be able to block. I just feel like it’s a mindset being physical and not being scared to go hit somebody.”



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One of Michigan’s newest transfer additions explains why he chose the Wolverines

The Wolverines have a new transfer addition at quarterback, and though he is not going to start, he is excited to be at Michigan.

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University of Michigan transfer portal
© Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

ANN ARBOR, MI — The Michigan Wolverines recently inked one of the best recruiting classes in the country. For quite some time — before other schools began adding massive amounts of portal commits — the Wolverines boasted the No. 1 class nationally. Still, Michigan football managed to ink an incredible transfer portal class, including seven total commits — three of which are from fellow Big Ten programs. Jack Tuttle, Michigan’s newest quarterback addition, recently took some time to explain why he decided on the University of Michigan despite knowing that JJ McCarthy will be the team’s starter.

Why did new transfer portal quarterback Jack Tuttle choose the University of Michigan?

When asked about why he chose the University of Michigan, here is what transfer portal quarterback Jack Tuttle had to say (per Yahoo Sports):

“So there were a lot of relationships,” Tuttle said. “Obviously, relationships for me to come here. I knew Coach Harbaugh, Coach Hart before. And that’s what really sparked coming here for me.”

Mike Hart, the all-time leading rusher at the University of Michigan and current running backs coach, was at Indiana before taking the RB coach opening at Michigan. This explains why Tuttle and Hart were familiar, and likely played a decisive role in him choosing Michigan football. For Tuttle and others, transferring schools comes with many challenges, especially when going from a small program like Indiana to one of the biggest in the world.

“I guess just adjusting to — I know every program has a different culture,” Tuttle said. “Adjusting to that, and the new locker room and the people — which obviously has been fantastic. So, AJ (Barner) and I both came from same place (Indiana) so that’s been helpful when we’re rooming together. And so it’s been a pretty good transition for both of us.”

Jack Tuttle is entering his sixth season of college football, and frankly, he wants to win a national title.

“For me, personally, it’s not over till it’s over,” Tuttle said. “That’s kind of something I live by. And my dad and I have always talked about it’s not over till it’s over. And, people (ask), why Michigan? Why come here? What’s your goal here? I have a couple of goals. But the main goal right now, and what I’m focused on is doing everything I can to help this team win a national championship and achieve all its goals.

“So that’s where my work is going to right now. That’s what I’m striving for. And I’m going to help and do whatever I can to make sure we achieve that goal.”

Even though the new Michigan football transfer portal quarterback knows he is not going to start over JJ McCarthy, he is still happy to be a part of the incredible QB room and culture at the University of Michigan.

“I’m gonna come in and compete. And J.J. has been phenomenal,” Tuttle said. “That whole quarterback room has been great — Coach Kirk [Campbell]. And I’m blessed, honestly blessed to come into that situation and be around those guys and beat and have fun. And I’m gonna do whatever I can to help this team win.”



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 steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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JJ McCarthy ranked as the No. 1 quarterback in the Big Ten by major media outlet

The Michigan Wolverines boast the best quarterback in the conference this year.

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Michigan football No. 1 quarterback in the Big Ten
Dec 31, 2021; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) throws against the Georgia Bulldogs during the fourth quarter in the Orange Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Michigan Wolverines are heading into a season full of massive expectations. While Michigan football always has tons of pressure to perform well on the field, this year the expectations are especially high — the Wolverines have won back-to-back Big Ten titles and made the CFP twice in a row while finishing no worse than 12-2 over the past two seasons. Now, heading into the 2023 season, Michigan has its best roster (on paper) that fans have seen in decades. The leader of the team, rising junior quarterback JJ McCarthy, was recently ranked as the No. 1 quarterback in the Big Ten by 247 Sports.

JJ McCarthy ranked as the No. 1 quarterback in the Big Ten by 247 Sports

Recently, ahead of the new season this fall, Michigan rising junior QB JJ McCarthy was ranked as the No. 1 quarterback in the Big Ten. After leading Michigan football to an impressive 13-1 (10-0 Big Ten) season which ended with a conference title and CFP appearance, the Wolverines are looking to go from “good” to “great” at the quarterback position this year. If Michigan football is to win a national championship this season, McCarthy will have to meet these massive expectations.

Here is 247’s explanation as to why McCarthy is ranked as the No. 1 quarterback in the Big Ten conference.

This offense should be a well-oiled machine on the ground with Blake Corum returning and will only ask McCarthy to do what he has to in the passing game. He’s a threat with his legs as well. McCarthy accounted for 27 total touchdowns this season and will enter the 2023 campaign with a chip on his shoulder after leading the Wolverines to 13-straight wins prior to an upset loss to TCU in the playoff. And this time around, there’s no McNamara behind him after the former Michigan signal caller transferred to Iowa.

JJ McCarthy is ranked ahead of some notable names and schools, such as Drew Allar (Penn State), Kyle McCord (Ohio State), and others.



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 steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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