Michigan Football 2023 preview: Way too early season prediction, key matchups, players to watch, roster, and more
Michigan Football might be the original "Blue Blood" program. Their 989 wins are nearly 50 more than any other team in the history of College football and they are neck and neck with Bama and Ohio State for the most winningest teams in D1.
2023 should be no different, and today we're previewing why the Wolverines should have high expectations.
Way too early Michigan Football predictions
The Wolverines are coming off of back-to-back Big Ten championships. They are expected to be the second-ranked team in the opening week of the Associated Press voting.
Because of that, the way too early season prediction is that the annual “game” will decide whether or not the Wolverines will make it to a third straight College Football playoff. With a host of players returning, anything less than that date with destiny once more would be considered a failure.
Key matchups for the 2023 season
There’s one simple key matchup: “ the game” on November 25, 2023, when Michigan takes on “ that team down south” in the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Of course, road trips to East Lansing and Happy Valley, Michigan State, and Penn State respectively, will be tall tasks. But the face-off with the Ohio State Buckeyes, and defeating them, is everything to Michigan football.
Players to Watch
Michigan returns 13 of its 22 starters and over 80% of its overall offensive and defensive production. Blake Corum, returning, not only from injury but also foregoing the draft, turns the Wolverines into the ultimate two-headed monster with Donovan Edwards in the backfield.
J.J. McCarthy at signal-caller will return for a second season and most expect him to take the next step. Their top receiver Cornelius Johnson is returning to catch passes from McCarthy.
The interior of their 2022 Joe Moore award-winning offensive line returns, not to mention they return half of their secondary and defensive tackle Kris Jenkins.
Roster Analysis
Michigan has one of the best top-to-bottom rosters in all of college football. They also got better in the offseason, finishing in the top 25 for the transfer portal rankings, and a top 20 finish and recruiting overall.
The Wolverines are built to win. It took nearly nine years for Jim Harbaugh’s staff to get here, but they have it running like a well-oiled machine. If J.J. McCarthy can become a cleaner prospect that is especially true in the future.
Michigan is starting to become a destination for high school quarterback recruits, pulling Jaydn Davis and Bryce Underwood in the next two recruiting classes.
Coaching Staff and Strategies
Jim Harbaugh got elected to promote within, naming Sherrone Moore as offensive coordinator. There will be far more consistency for the Wolverines than in previous years, with Jesse Minter returning as DC and the remaining staff as well. This bodes well against programs that have a revolving door, such as the Alabama Crimson Tide and Ohio State Buckeyes of the world.
Michigan football utilizes a hard-nosed offense. They run it far more than their playoff counterparts. They want to get a lead at the start, control the clock, play great defense, and win the special teams battle.
Expectations and goals
It took him multiple years, but Jim Harbaugh got Wolverines fans on his side by getting the Ohio State Buckeyes off his back. But now the stakes are even higher because, well, fans always want more.
During the Harbaugh era, the Wolverines have yet to win a playoff game. They were dominated by Georgia in their first appearance, and upset by TCU in a wild New Year’s Eve playoff game this past season. The expectation is to beat the Buckeyes for the third straight year, and finally get to a national title game for the first time in their existence.
