Michigan Football: 2015 Game-by-Game Schedule Predictions
The Michigan Wolverines are assuredly looking forward to moving past the 5-7 campaign that ended Brady Hoke's tenure with the program, and beginning the 2015 college football season under new head coach Jim Harbaugh.
But instant success is far from a guarantee. While the Wolverines boast a stout defense, they also have uncertainty at quarterback and unproven potential all over the field.
Fortunately for Michigan, the schedule is reasonably favorable. The slate includes seven home games—two of which are against bitter rivals Michigan State and Ohio State—and five contests on the road.
Injuries, breakout players and poorer-than-expected performances may affect the judgments of individual games at a later date, but the following projections are the best guesses based on how Michigan and its opponents stand as of today.
Note: For the first time in 14 seasons, Michigan does not play Notre Dame.
Sept. 3 at Utah
1 of 12
All the Harbaugh hype might infer that Michigan is ready to take the 2015 season opener by storm. Well, that's not really a likely scenario.
Utah earned a 26-10 victory last season in Ann Arbor and now gets the chance to host the Wolverines.
Led by Travis Wilson and Devontae Booker—who tallied 1,512 rushing yards, 311 receiving yards and 12 total touchdowns—the Utes have the makings of a dangerous, efficient offense. They must replace Nate Orchard and Eric Rowe on defense, but return a strong majority of the 2014 unit.
Although the Wolverines should be expected to compete into the fourth quarter, it'd be quite the upset if Michigan bounced the Utes.
Prediction: Utah 23, Michigan 17
Sept. 12 vs. Oregon State
2 of 12
Oregon State lost four-year starter Sean Mannion to the NFL, but the Beavers have all sorts of talent coming back. Storm Barrs-Woods, Victor Bolden and Jordan Villamin will provide the new quarterback—Nick Mitchell, Marcus McMaryion or Seth Collins—with options.
Unfortunately for the unnamed gunslinger, the offensive line might not provide much time, especially against a solid Michigan front.
Similar to the Wolverines, Oregon State's blocking unit has notable experience that doesn't exactly demand a glowing review. Unlike Michigan, the Beavers lost, well, basically everything on defense.
In a closely contested game, a stronger defense usually ekes out the victory, and that favors the Wolverines.
Prediction: Michigan 24, Oregon State 20
Sept. 19 vs. UNLV
3 of 12
UNLV is not exactly a storied football program, considering the Rebels have won exactly two games in eight of the last 11 seasons.
With that in mind, it's hard to criticize the school's bold move to hire a high school coach. UNLV bought locally, hiring Tony Sanchez from powerhouse Bishop Gorman. But that doesn't mean he's turning the program around in 2015.
Quarterback Blake Decker and receiver Devonte Boyd highlight the Rebels offense, and the defense returns four of its five leading tacklers, so the team has significant experience.
However, UNLV must be able to handle the environment in Michigan Stadium, and that's easier said than done. The Wolverines will coast to a relatively easy victory.
Prediction: Michigan 31, UNLV 13
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Sept. 26 vs. BYU
4 of 12
Michigan's 2015 season will be tremendously impacted by the success, or lack thereof, against Taysom Hill and BYU. A win could help the Wolverines reach an absolute best-case scenario of 9-3, while a loss might be the tipping point of a 6-6 campaign.
No, seriously. This game really, really matters.
Hill is one of the nation's best dual-threat quarterbacks, and longtime BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall knows how to prepare a team for a national stage.
For now, Michigan looks solid enough to survive Hill and merely edge the Cougars on the scoreboard. But this matchup will be exciting, and BYU is fully capable of stealing the game in Ann Arbor.
Prediction: Michigan 23, BYU 21
Oct. 3 at Maryland
5 of 12
In the first of two ugly memories from 2014, Michigan will travel to Maryland for the opening of conference action. Last season, the Terrapins clipped the Wolverines 23-16.
Simply put, Step 1 of Harbaugh returning the program to dominance is winning games Michigan is supposed to win. Maryland falls into that category.
With that being said, despite losing Stefon Diggs and Deon Long, the Terrapins are not bound to become a doormat in the Big Ten. Head coach Randy Edsall has a strong, young roster that is built to compete in the future.
But other than a feisty secondary highlighted by Sean Davis, Will Likely and Anthony Nixon, the 2015 team doesn't have much experience. It'll be a tight finish that Michigan manages to escape.
Prediction: Michigan 27, Maryland 17
Oct. 10 vs. Northwestern
6 of 12
Northwestern needs a new quarterback. Whether it's Zack Oliver, Matt Alviti or Clayton Thorson, he'll immediately be thrown into the gauntlet when Stanford comes to Evanston on Sept. 5.
The Wildcats will travel to Duke two weeks later, but that outing will be Northwestern's only road game until it heads to Michigan Stadium. That'll be quite the experience for a new starter during what is expected to be a mediocre year for Pat Fitzgerald and Co.
Running back Justin Jackson is a bright spot, and the secondary could emerge as a top unit in the Big Ten. If the defensive line improves, the Wildcats might not suffer a major setback after losing three top linebackers.
But there are just too many questions on offense—the quarterback, the line, non-Jackson playmakers—to give Northwestern much praise right now.
Prediction: Michigan 28, Northwestern 10
Oct. 17 vs. Michigan State
7 of 12
Confidence is imperative for any rivalry game, and hosting the clash provides an extra boost. Michigan will attempt to protect The Big House when Michigan State comes to town in mid-October.
But reality has to set in sometime. The Spartans are arguably a College Football Playoff-caliber team. Their schedule provides the biggest hurdle to reaching that mark, though that's a different story.
MSU must replace important pieces across the depth chart, but head coach Mark Dantonio is no stranger to this type of roster transition. Plus, with Connor Cook at quarterback, the offense remains in excellent hands for the 2015 edition of the rivalry.
Michigan won't roll over and hand the Spartans a victory, and the outcome will likely be closer than most expect. Nevertheless, until proved otherwise, Michigan State has the upper hand.
Prediction: Michigan State 27, Michigan 20
Oct. 31 at Minnesota
8 of 12
Sorry, Wolverines fans. The return of the Little Brown Jug might be a little delayed.
Minnesota lost key contributors in David Cobb and Maxx Williams, but the offense isn't a mess. Mitch Leidner continues to improve, and he should become a truly solid quarterback in Year 3.
The Golden Gophers' strengths are on the offensive line and in the secondary, where they return a pair of All-Big Ten cornerbacks in Briean Boddy-Calhoun and Eric Murray. Minnesota can focus on stopping the run, because Michigan won't pass on them anyway.
As long as Leidner doesn't toss a couple of interceptions, the Gophers should be favored to topple the Wolverines.
Prediction: Minnesota 24, Michigan 16
Nov. 7 vs. Rutgers
9 of 12
This one is critical for Michigan to get back on track. After losing two straight games, Harbaugh won't be happy, and it's a safe bet he'll let the Wolverines know.
Rutgers—which blocked a late field goal to seal a 26-24 stunner in 2014—isn't the optimal opponent for a rebound, but it's not a terrible one, either.
Quarterback Gary Nova graduated, taking a 400-yard performance with him. Consequently, the Scarlet Knights are in desperate need of a gunslinger to carry an offense that has promise due to star receiver Leonte Carroo and running back Paul James.
Defensively, Rutgers can be decent—not great, not almost great, decent—and that shortcoming will keep them from springing a second consecutive upset on the Wolverines.
Prediction: Michigan 20, Rutgers 14
Nov. 14 at Indiana
10 of 12
By this time, Kevin Wilson's proverbial seat might be blazing. The oft-criticized Hoosiers coach might need a victory over Michigan to save his job.
Quarterback Nate Sudfeld is back after sustaining a season-ending injury, and he should be OK behind the offensive line, but he can't throw to himself. Tevin Coleman, Shane Wynn and Nick Stoner aren't walking through that door.
While Indiana nabbed UAB transfer Jordan Howard, he'll face elevated competition in the Big Ten. The front seven is a mix of potential and wishful thinking, a young collection of looks-like-average but not-really-great players who are better suited to stop the run than rush the passer.
In this matchup, size and coaching wins out. And Wilson might be out the door.
Prediction: Michigan 26, Indiana 13
Nov. 21 at Penn State
11 of 12
Under quarterback guru Bill O'Brien and alongside receiver Allen Robinson, Christian Hackenberg shined as a true freshman. Under James Franklin and with few big-time targets, Hackenberg struggled as a sophomore.
Which version of Hack emerges in 2015? Well, it depends on what version of the offense shows up, because Penn State returns most of those same underwhelming skill position players. The Nittany Lions will have a clear offensive reputation by late November, and Hackenberg can be so, so good.
The defense—carried by defensive tackle Anthony Zettel and a strong line—won't surrender easy yards to Michigan's rushing attack, and the secondary won't be an issue if it adapts to Jordan Lucas' move to safety.
Beating Penn State would provide Harbaugh with his signature win of Year 1. But as of this moment, a Hackenberg-led team at Happy Valley holds an ever- so-slight edge over the Wolverines.
Prediction: Penn State 23, Michigan 20
Nov. 28 vs. Ohio State
12 of 12
Whatever win total Michigan brings into the clash with Ohio State, that's what Harbaugh and Co. are leaving with. This one could get ugly.
J.T. Barrett, Ezekiel Elliott, Michael Thomas and Jalin Marshall will be difficult to contain. There will likely be some form of Cardale Jones, Braxton Miller, Dontre Wilson and Corey Smith to handle, too.
Beyond that impressive group at the skill positions, four experienced starters on the offensive line are back. The defense has no weakness. Wolverines fans don't want to hear the praise for the Buckeyes, but it's unavoidable.
Michigan's projected regular season ends at 7-5 before the team returns to a bowl game. It's not a glamorous result, but it's a step in the right direction.
Prediction: Ohio State 30, Michigan 13
All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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