JD PicKell: Predicting every game on Michigan's 2022 schedule

If Michigan wins its first 11 games, but loses ‘The Game’ to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the regular season finale – would that be enough for the Wolverines to earn a spot in the College Football Playoffs for the second time in as many years?

Well, that remains to be seen, but On3’s JD PicKell believes we will see an 11-1 Michigan Wolverines team heading into the postseason this season.

The Wolverines are coming off their best season of the Jim Harbaugh era after winning the most games in a single-season since 1997 (12), won the Big Ten Championship game and made an appearance in the College Football Playoff. On top of that, they beat the Buckeyes for the first time since 2011. 

While PicKell doesn’t predict another Wolverine win over Ohio State in 2022, he has high hopes for them in every other aspect of their season – even though head coach Jim Harbaugh has yet to name a starting quarterback. Harbaugh even told reporters on Wednesday that he is open to the possibility of the battle continuing into the season.

The battle is between 2021 starter Cade McNamara, who started all 14 games and threw for 2,576 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions, and 2021 top-100 recruit J.J. McCarthy, who saw action in 11 games as McNamara’s backup, finishing his true freshman campaign 34-of-59 passing for 516 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions.

On3's @jdpickell predicts Michigan's 2022 schedule〽️ pic.twitter.com/Bf3SpoZPz9

— On3 (@On3sports) August 18, 2022

Sept. 3 vs. Colorado State – Win

Sept. 10 vs. Hawaii – Win

Spet. 17 vs. UConn – Win

Sept. 24 vs. Maryland – Win

Oct. 1 at Iowa – Win

Oct. 8 at Indiana – Win

Oct. 15 vs. Penn State – Win

Oct. 29 vs. No. 15 Michigan State – Win

Nov. 5 at Rutgers – Win

Nov. 12 vs. Nebraska – Win

Nov. 19 vs. Illinois – Win

Nov. 26 at No. 2 Ohio State – Loss