2017 Game-by-Game Predictions – Michigan Wolverines

If Michigan was looking for an opening game test – this is it. A nationally televised contest against the current SEC East Champions will certainly get the blood flowing. They say sunlight is the best disinfectant. We’ll get a good look at whether Michigan’s young talent can get the job done against quality competition.

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My guess is while this game is nearly a coin flip situation, Florida may come out on top simply due to experience.

Prediction: LOSS 24-14 / RECORD: 0-1

Former Ohio State University coordinator and interim head coach Luke Fickell will lead the Bearcats to the Big House in Week 2. Teams associated with Fickell have defeated Michigan fourteen times.

However, Cincinnati is not Columbus. Look for Michigan to win their home opener.

Prediction: WIN 35-7 / RECORD: 1-1

There is something attractive about the service academy football teams. Maybe it’s the old-school offense. Air Force is no different with their option-flavored, Wing-T, running game. It will be fun to watch, especially if you like blowout wins for the Wolverines.

Prediction: WIN 45-3 / RECORD: 2-1 

The first road “test” of the year come in West Lafayette, Indiana and courtesy of the Purdue Boilermakers. Purdue went 3-9 overall last season and was one of the worst teams in the league. Not much will change this season.

Michigan gets a break in their first road game.

Prediction: WIN 48-0 / RECORD: 3-1 (1-0)

The Wolverines catch a break and enjoy a bye-week before hosting their rivals from down the road in East Lansing. This game will probably be close simply because of the rivalry. However, the Spartans are reeling with attrition and dealing with the sexual assault scandal in East Lansing. Not to mention the bye week gives Harbaugh an extra chance to prepare his team.

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Michigan wins and retains the Paul Bunyan Trophy.

Prediction: WIN 24-10 / RECORD: 4-1 (2-0)

Michigan will get an opportunity to lick their wounds and set some records against the lowly Scarlet Knights, who will be looking to improve in some capacity in year two under head coach Chris Ash.

It will be hard imagining the Wolverines hanging nearly 80 against on Rutgers, but it’d be even harder to imagine them losing this game.

Prediction: WIN 49-14 / RECORD: 7-1 (5-0)

The Gophers are an old school program. They play hard and try to win by controlling the clock with the run game and utilizing a strong defense. The addition of former Western Michigan University Head Coach P.J. Fleck should provide a little sizzle to this match-up.

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But, Michigan should win easily.

Prediction: WIN 35-10 / RECORD: 8-1 (6-0)

Former Harbaugh staffer D.J. Durkin leads the Terps for another season. Durkin is a feisty coach and will bring a solid running game to the field for Maryland. However, talent-wise, the gap is still too wide.

This may be “closer than the experts think,” as Lee Corso might say, given it is a road game in College Park.

Prediction: WIN 49-10 / RECORD: 9-1 (7-0)

Assuming that Michigan has taken care of business up to this point, the final two games of 2017 will shape the entire season for the Wolverines.

There are many factors that are stacked against Michigan in this game against Bucky Badger: 1) a young team, 2) a road game in one of the toughest environments in college football, and 3) hungry, talented opponent. However, I think that Michigan has a chance in this game.

The Badgers no longer have T.J. Watt ruining the lives of college offenses anymore. The coaching advantage also leans Blue in this match up. Harbaugh is famous for developing his players during the season and I think that gives Michigan the best chance for the upset.

Prediction: WIN 17-14 / RECORD: 10-1 (8-0)