U of M Podcast

We may be months away from Kickoff, but that doesn't mean we can't talk about football. With a lot to to look forward to in the 2022 season, why not look back at some of the biggest games that came out of 2021 and rank them based on how much of an impact they had on the success of the season, regardless of the outcome.

Its been, shall we say, an interesting start to the offseason for the Wolverines. First our Defensive Coordinator leaves to go back to the Ravens, then our Head Coach flirts with an NFL team on Signing Day, now, our Offensive Coordinator leaves for the Miami Hurricanes on terms of feeling "unappreciated". Hold on to your seats, this one's gonna be bumpy.

The most empty time of the year beings, the offseason. Just because the season is over doesn't mean there is a shortage of developing stories on the horizon. We may be looking for a new head coach and a plethora of defensive players are moving on to the NFL Draft leaving us with anxiety and anticipation for what next year has in store for the Michigan Wolverines.

While the loss to Georgia in our first appearance in the College Football Playoffs hurts, it doesn't take away from the fact that the 2021-22 season was a successful one for the Michigan Wolverines. From reestablishing the running game, to winning at venue for the first time in decades, to finally  beating your hated rival, to being on the receiving end of a 12-1 regular season and arguably the best feat of all, winning the Big Ten Championship, once again returning Michigan to the rightful owner of the phrase, "The Champions of the West".

Let's be honest, Michigan has out-performed expectations as of November 27th, anything else at this point is just decoration. In at least 4 games this year, the Wolverines have proven that they deserve to be taken seriously by the Playoff Committee, from winning under the lights against Washington, to winning for the first time in 2 decades in Camp Randall, to finally getting the victory over Ohio State. Even after the doubters have been proven wrong time and time again, Michigan once again faces off against the odds for a chance to get their first bowl win since 2016. Vegas has made their mark saying that Georgia will win by a Touchdown, but after their embarrassing loss to Alabama in the Sec Championship, the Bulldogs look vulnerable and the Wolverines smell blood in the water.

Bowl Season is officially under way as of December 17th and we less than 3 weeks until Michigan plays in their long awaited game against the Georgia Bulldogs. Until then, we get to sit back and watch other Group of Five, Power Five and Big Ten teams play Russian Roulette with each other. With the selection committee having finalized the teams who will be competing, the Big Ten will  be sending 9 teams to the bowl games (Minnesota, Maryland, Purdue, Penn State, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan State, Ohio State and Michigan).

We are one week removed from the Big Ten Championship and one week out from bowl season officially kicking off. Now would be an excellent time to give thanks to the players who have gone above the call of duty and really stand out to make an impact felt throughout the entire team to the point where the team may not have had the same level of success with out them.

After years of neglect and being at the center of scrutiny, Michigan finally wins their first outright Big Ten Title since 2003, while also winning their first Big Ten Championship game and making their first appearance in the College Football Playoffs. With Championship weekend now officially over, the rankings from the Playoff Committee have been set and your bowl contenders have been selected. Michigan State will play Pittsburgh in the Peach Bowl, Ohio State will play Utah in the Rose Bowl and your Michigan Wolverines will play the Georgia Bulldogs in the Orange Bowl.

From making history in infamy, Michigan now has a chance to not only win another Big Ten Title, but win 12 games in a season for only the second time in program history. While the win against Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State look pretty on paper, Iowa has established themselves as a "dark horse champion" in the Big Ten West relying on wins and a little bit of luck to get them to Indianapolis, much like the Wolverines. Who's 2021 season will end with the Big Ten crown? We'll find out come December 4th.

Four score and 10 years ago, our alumni of the winged helmet celebrated a victory over the buckeyes by using our star Quarterback, Denard Robinson to confuse their defense and take it to the house. Today, we dedicate a piece of history to Aiden Hutchinson and the 2021 Wolverines for setting the new single season sack record and overcoming all obstacles from 2020, finishing the year 2-4, to bouncing back to finishing the regular season 11-1. Celebrate how you must, but remember, the season ain't over yet.

Lets be honest, going into the Ohio State game 10-1 was not what anyone thought at the beginning of the year, but here we stand. It all comes down to this, a meaningful season, a chance to beat the Buckeyes, the opportunity to make the trip to Indianapolis, all boils down to this one game. Will Jim Harbaugh finally get that one meaningful win that has eluded him since he took over a head coach of Michigan?

While Ohio State tries to intimidate by hanging a 56-7 victory over the Michigan State Spartans, Michigan comes back with a huge victory of their own by hanging a 59-18 victory over Maryland. It might not seem impressive, but once its revelaed that a touchdown was scored in all 3 phases of the game for the Wolverines, you can't help but put a smile on your face. 1 game remains, and it's for all the marbles. The race for Indianapolis in the Big 10 East will be decided this weekend. Who will join Wisconsin in Lucas Oil Stadium on December 4th? Ohio State or Michigan?

With only 2 weeks left in the regular season, the "Road To Indianapolis" remains tight especially in the East. Along with the preview before our match-up against Maryland, we'll also be focusing on what lies for each team deemed "competitive" in their respective divisions.

While not an upset according to the almighty odds makers, it is an upset for the skeptical Michigan fan. The Wolverines having set a trend for losing "games that matter" on the road, especially in November, Michigan pulls off a come from behind victory over Penn State. Arguably the most complete performance offensively with Hassan Haskins putting up over 150 rushing yards, the defense had a field day of their own planting Penn State's QB in the ground recording 7 total sacks on the day.

Yes, another victory for Michigan in the Big House is great and all, but it felt more like exposure of what the offense needs to work on going into the final 3 games of the season. Once again, settling for field goals in the Redzone, rather than touchdowns, Michigans offense left 12 points on the board, along with a failed 2 point conversion. One good take away, Josh Gattis finally decided to run the ball outside multiple times and it paid off with Hassan Haskins picking up over 150 yards on the ground.

With the loss to Michigan State, the Wolverines have now found themselves in a spot where every single game from here on out, matters that much more. If Harbaugh wants his legacy to change for the better, his mission is very clear for the final 4 games in the regular season. W-I-N

In typical Harbaugh fashion, Michigan falls to yet another top 10 opponent on the road, in this case, our rival, Michigan State. After dominating in the first half, we couldn't stop the ground assault of Kenneth Walker, racking up just shy of 200 rushing yards on the day. While embarrassing, some bright spots did shine through offensively in regards to the passing game with Cade McNamara passing for over 350 yards and Freshman Wide Receiver Andrel Anthony getting his first reception and touchdown of his collegiate career while picking up 150 receiving yards on the day.

The countdown to kickoff begins as the only 2 undefeated Big 10 teams square off to see who wants the record of 8-0 more. While Michigan holds a very one-sided record in the rivalry, Michigan State has been able to hold its own, keeping a 3-3 record against Jim Harbaugh since 2015. This is sure to be the most anticipated game in the Big 10 this year to this point.

Michigan wins the George Jewitt Trophy in its debut game against Northwestern. While the team is still enjoying the victory over the Wildcats, the defense is still holding strong and the running game is picking up steam, questions are starting to arise once again in the passing game, particularly at the Quarterback position. While Cade McNamara has kept the Wolverines in the game and led a comeback against Nebraska, fans were very impressed with J.J. McCarthy's performance yesterday. Add in the fact that Cade has struggled with reading the defense and an inability to make completions down the field, fans are wanting to see more McCarthy.

3 of the big 4 in the Big Ten East come off a Bye Week while Michigan State takes their Bye Week and its very appropriate title for this week to be called a "calm before the storm". Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State all face off against unranked Big 10 opponents fighting for bowl eligibility before next weeks smackdown games where everyone plays each other in a battle for survival.