The Michigan Wolverines are coming off their second win of the Jim Harbaugh era and the belief that they can reach a bowl game this season continues to grow. That’s because when you look at the scope of their season, they’ve actually been respectable. They lost by a touchdown on the road to a Utah team that’s now ranked in the Top 25 and then blew out Oregon State and UNLV at home.
The Wolverines will face a tough test against No. 22 BYU on Saturday and it will be the perfect opportunity for Harbaugh and his staff to assess where they stand. Michigan has improved in each of its first three games of the season and considering six wins is probably enough for them to get to a bowl game, there is every reason to buy in to their stock.
Here is a look at Michigan’s remaining schedule and where they are most likely to get the wins they need:
Week 4: versus No. 22 BYU
After opening the year with a pair of upset wins, the Cougars finally faltered in a 24-23 loss to No. 10 UCLA last week and now they will have to travel across the country and regroup in time for a tough test at Michigan. The Wolverines have improved with every passing week and that could mean an upset alert with a chance to take down a Top 25 team at home in Week 4. While this would be an upset in the rankings, Michigan is actually favored by 5.5 here. Prediction: WIN (3-1)
Week 5: at Maryland
Caleb Rowe has provided the Terrapins with an offensive spark last week but he also threw three interceptions and will be in tough trying to lead Maryland at Michigan in Week 5. He now has five picks on 36 pass attempts this season.
The Wolverines will only continue to grow more confident with every passing win and they should be able to earn their first road win of the year in this one regardless of their result against BYU the week before. Prediction: WIN (4-1)
Week 6: versus No. 17 Northwestern
Pat Fitzgerald’s team is playing as good as any team in the Big Ten right now, which means this will be a very difficult test for the Wolverines as they try to keep their win streak alive. Michigan will be able to hang around with Northwestern at home but we don’t expect them to win this game. Prediction: LOSS (4-2)
Week 7: versus No. 2 Michigan State
Michigan State has looked extremely sharp early on and while Wolverines fans would absolutely love this win at home, it will be another very difficult test. While Michigan looks like they’re improved, Sparty looks like they’re BCS focused. These teams are on different plains right now. Prediction: LOSS (4-3)
Week 8: at Minnesota
The best news about the Wolverines schedule is the fact that they get an extra week off following back-to-back games against Northwestern and Michigan State. That should give them more than enough time to regroup and prepare for Minnesota. The Golden Gophers have struggled to score points this season and while this should be a defensive struggle, Michigan will have a better than 50/50 shot of pulling it out. Prediction: WIN (5-3)
Week 9: versus Rutgers
Only Maryland projects as a more likely win for Michigan the rest of the way this season. Rutgers has some issues right now – especially with the suspension of their head coach, Kyle Flood. We’ll give the slight edge to Michigan here, as Harbaugh and company look to make their bowl eligibility official on Week 9 in the Big House. Prediction: WIN (6-3)
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Week 10: at Indiana
Indiana is still undefeated through three games but they haven’t exactly looked very convincing. One area that has looked strong has been their offense and if they can turn this into a shootout, they should have the edge at home. Prediction: LOSS (6-4)
Week 11: at Penn State
On paper there’s the urge to trust Michigan here, but traveling to Happy Valley is no easy feat. They have seemingly gotten things in order following their season-opening loss at Temple and maybe we’re not giving Temple as much credit as they deserve. They are 3-0 so far. Prediction: LOSS (6-5)
Week 12: versus No. 1 Ohio State
As much as Wolverines fans will hate it, the reality is that by the time they get to this game, the Buckeyes will be firing on all cylinders heading into the College Football Playoff. They should have no problem going in to Michigan and winning. That would leave the Wolverines at 6-6 with a chance to play in a bowl game. It’s tight but the Wolverines should be bowling in Harbaugh’s first year on the job. Prediction: LOSS (6-6)
