Michigan football schedule 2020: Predicting every Michigan Wolverines game

Does the Michigan football schedule set up for the Wolverines to win the Big Ten?

There is no doubt that when Michigan football hits the field in 2020, the Wolverines will put out a solid product. But in head coach Jim Harbaugh’s sixth season, the Wolverines have never been as good as what people thought they would be.

There are a few reasons for this, bad luck, players underperforming in big games. But mostly it stems from always seemingly being in the shadow of their arch-rival down south Ohio State. Harbaugh has yet to beat the Buckeyes in his tenure in Ann Arbor, and the Wolverines as a team haven’t won “The Game” since 2011 under Brady Hoke.

But each and every year there is a reason for hope that this season will be different. This season has plenty of things to be hopeful for. One of these things being that fans will finally be able to see the true potential of former four-star pro quarterback prospect Dylan McCaffrey. A player who has seen limited playing time behind Shea Patterson the last two seasons.

Even more exciting for the Wolverines is that they have one of the best running back rooms in the country. The combination of sophomore Zach Charbonnet, Hassan Haskins and Chris Evans who returns after a full season suspension last year, should be lethal.

Most importantly for the Wolverines though is the return of Nico Collins at wide receiver. I think that Collins was the most polished of that talented receiving core last year, and this season he will be the clear number one target in Ann Arbor.

While all of these things on the offensive side are great, the offensive line took a hit losing 4-of-5 starters. That could spell trouble early on in Big Ten play, especially with an inexperienced quarterback under center.

The defense will be talented as always under defensive coordinator Don Brown’s leadership. They get back both of their starting defensive ends from last year in Kwity Paye and Aidan Hutchinson. Those two combined for 167 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks last season.

The linebacking core has some athleticism but depth could become a problem later in the season and the secondary should continue to be solid with Ambry Thomas leading the Wolverines in that department.

Michigan’s schedule starts out rather lackluster despite opening the season in Seattle against Washington as they get Ball State and Arkansas State at home to round out the non-conference.

Things start to kick in once Big Ten play starts, but the Wolverines get the advantage of opening against Wisconsin at home followed by another home game against Penn State.

While the home schedule is mostly in the Wolverines favor, they will have to face both of their rivals Michigan State and Ohio State on the road.

It definitely isn’t going to be an easy road to get to where Wolverine fans want them to be, but it isn’t impossible. Let’s predict what’s in store for the Wolverines this season.