5 early bold predictions for Michigan football in 2022

Jim Harbaugh, Michigan Wolverines. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Michigan football program looks to build off a breakthrough season under Jim Harbaugh.

Even if the Michigan football team pulls back a tad in 2022, the Wolverines look to be here to stay under head coach Jim Harbaugh.

While he did play flirt with the Minnesota Vikings, the former Wolverines quarterback returns to Ann Arbor, looking to build off Michigan’s best season in a generation. The Wolverines not only won the Big Ten last fall but made their debut in the College Football Playoff. Though they were Dawg food vs. Georgia in Miami, Michigan can parlay that postseason run into future successes.

Here are five early bold predictions that are absolutely coming true for the Michigan football team.

Michigan football: 5 early bold predictions for 2022 college football season

5. Michigan’s season will be decided by the middle of October, good, bad or ugly

Well before Michigan gets ready for its big in-state battle vs. rival Michigan State, the Wolverines will have a strong feeling about what type of year it will be for them, good, bad or ugly. No, Michigan is not going to fall off a cliff in 2022, but how the Wolverines play vs. Penn State and at Kinnick vs. Iowa will tell the tale of their season. They need to split the pair — and probably win both.

Iowa won the Big Ten West last year, but Kirk Ferentz’s team could pull back as well. As far as Penn State is concerned, the Nittany Lions should be better than they were a season ago. James Franklin got a new long-term contract extension and Sean Clifford will once again be their starting quarterback. Should the Wolverines win these two games, they may get to Columbus undefeated.

Conversely, dropping both before Sparty could signify a disastrous season for the Big Ten champs.