Michigan football schedule 2022: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions

Michigan football had their best season in decades in 2021. Will they be able to keep the momentum going in 2022 or will they take a step back?

The Michigan Wolverines stormed their way to a Big Ten title and a place in the College Football Playoff in 2021.

Unfortunately, the dream run came to an end when Georgia humbled the Wolverines in the Orange Bowl.

With the book closed on 2021, what does 2022 hold for Michigan?

Michigan football schedule predictions for 2022

• Sept. 3 vs. Colorado State — WIN (1-0)
• Sept. 10 vs. Hawaii — WIN (2-0)
• Sept. 17 vs. UConn — WIN (3-0)
• Sept. 24 vs. Maryland —WIN (4-0)
• Oct. 1 at Iowa — LOSS (4-1)
• Oct. 8 vs. Penn State — WIN (5-1)
• Oct. 15 vs. Nebraska — WIN (6-1)
• Oct. 22 vs. Michigan State* — LOSS (6-2)
• Oct. 29 vs. Illinois — WIN (7-2)
• Nov. 5 BYE WEEK
• Nov. 12 at Indiana* — WIN (8-2)
• Nov. 19 at Rutgers — WIN (9-2)
• Nov. 26 at Ohio State — LOSS (9-3)

*Though Michigan originally released the 2022 schedule featuring a road trip to Michigan State and a home game against Indiana, the Big Ten announced a schedule change flipping the venues for those games.

Michigan has a favorable out-of-conference schedule with three very winnable home games to start the season.

The trouble comes with the Big Ten slate. Two of the Wolverines’ toughest games will be played on the road with trips to Iowa and Ohio State on the slate.

It won’t be easy to repeat a conference championship with so many key departures on defense. Big Ten Player of the Year Aidan Hutchinson will be off to the NFL while several others starters are likely to leave as well, including David Ojabo.

On offense, Cade McNamara should stick around but star running back Hassan Haskins will depart as a senior.

Michigan should be competitive in 2022 but they will likely take a slight step back with losses to rivals like Michigan State and Ohio State putting a damper on the campaign.

That’s not to say Harbaugh and company couldn’t rally quickly around a new set of stars and make another playoff run. It’s possible, just not probable.

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.