Five thoughts on Michigan football's 2022 schedule

Michigan football heads into the offseason as Big Ten Champions with a crown to defend in 2022. It is no easy task with roster attrition and the target on its back, but the schedule could be set up nicely for the program.

Here are quick thoughts on the projected slate of games heading into the winter.

Adjustments coming

As of now, the full schedule is:

Sept. 3 – vs. Colorado State

Sept. 10 – vs. Hawaii

Sept. 17 – vs. UConn

Sept. 24 – vs. Maryland

Oct. 1 – at Iowa

Oct. 8 – vs. Penn State

Oct. 15 – vs. Nebraska

Oct. 22 – at Michigan State

Oct. 29 – vs. Illinois

Nov. 5 – BYE

Nov. 12 – vs. Indiana

Nov. 19 – at Rutgers

Nov. 26 – at Ohio State

There will be some adjustments made to the above, however. The Big Ten is set to correct a scheduling quirk that had the Wolverines playing both of its rivalry games on the road. Its showdown with Michigan State will be flipped back to Ann Arbor. The opposite can be said for the Indiana game, which will revert to a road game in Bloomington.

Some date changes could be in order, as well. By flipping locations for the Michigan State and Indiana games, the Wolverines would play eight of its first nine games at home. Michigan would also play its final three games on the road. The 2022 schedule is not listed on Michigan’s website, so it stands to reason the Big Ten will announce updated schedules in the near future. The opponents are expected to remain the same.

Michigan football’s non-conference slate

The Wolverines will not have a particularly challenging non-conference slate. This means they will go through the first three weeks of the season relatively untested, but likely with an undefeated record in their back pocket. Colorado State (3-9 in 2021), Hawaii (6-7) and UConn (1-11) combined to go 10-27 this year. Michigan likely gets a shot to win three lopsided football games while getting reps for the new pieces on the roster.

Revenge at Kinnick?

Michigan currently has a date set at Iowa during the 2022 campaign. The Hawkeyes will remember the 42-3 destruction in the Big Ten title game and be out for revenge as a result. A betting man would be willing to put a hefty wager on this being a night game in a traditional house of horrors.

Michigan’s first true test of the season comes on Oct. 1 at Iowa. What precedes it would be three non-conference games and a home game against Maryland, a program perpetually spinning its wheels. The showdown with the Hawkeyes could kick off a potential tough stretch of Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska and Michigan State. It does not seem like a hot take to suggest that is a stretch that could determine Michigan’s shot at a Big Ten title.

Rivalry games

Revenge is on the menu in both of Michigan football’s rivalry games this year for different reasons. The Wolverines are 0-2 against Mel Tucker and the Spartans but are coming off a Big Ten Championship. Michigan will be out to prove that despite recent setbacks, they are still the dominant program in the state. It will be fascinating to see how MSU fares without a Heisman-caliber transfer in its backfield.

The Ohio State rivalry is one that could boil over this year. Michigan exorcised 10 years of demons in 2021, but the Buckeyes will keep all the receipts from postgame comments. Losing to Michigan was a culture shock for OSU and they will be frothing at the mouth to get back in the win column. The Wolverines could prove their win in 2021 was not a one-off and do more to narrow the gap between the Buckeyes on the recruiting trail. It should make for fascinating theater.

Can Michigan get back to Indianapolis?

Assuming the schedule works out the way it is projected to, yes. This is a slate that sets the Wolverines up fairly well to go back to Indy with its destiny in its own hands. Answering this question has much more to do with questions on the roster than a gauntlet of a slate.

The main difference is that Michigan’s pursuit of a championship probably comes down to what it does in October. Games against Iowa, Penn State, MSU and an improved Nebraska team will set up what comes next. Michigan did not fully hit its stride as a football team until November this past year. Progress and questions answered will have to come much quicker in the 2022 season.

There is plenty of talent on the roster to make another push and the schedule sets them up for a repeat. Now, the work begins.