Michigan Football: Ranking the Hardest Games of the 2015 Schedule

Michigan’s first spring under Jim Harbaugh will set expectations for this fall. Of course, for any coach—let alone one of Harbaugh’s caliber—the inaugural season is typically a game of “wait and see." The first few weeks of 2015, regardless of what’s done this spring, will ultimately set the tone for Michigan.

Those few weeks will eventually lay the ground for the rest of Harbaugh's first season, and finally, when it comes time to play Ohio State, they’ll have paved the way into 2016.

The games are played on the field, sure enough. They’re months away, too. But it’s never too early to think ahead and rank Harbaugh’s most difficult meetings—as they appear today—in order to get a good idea of what the Wolverines will face starting Sept. 6 at Utah.

Rankings are based on the teams’ immediate history (if applicable), the site/environment of the game and the almighty timing of said contest, each of which can greatly influence the outcome. Predictions will be saved for another day. However, feel free to predict wins/losses and discuss the ranking's order in the comments section. 

No. 12: Nov. 7 vs. Rutgers

Rutgers needed to block Matt Wile's game-winning field-goal attempt in order to seal its 26-24 victory over Michigan this past season in Piscataway, New Jersey. The Scarlet Knights went on to an 8-5 finish, including a 40-21 Quick Lane Bowl win over North Carolina.

However, the Scarlet Knights shouldn’t—with “shouldn’t” being the operative word—pose much of a threat to Michigan this season.

This past season’s loss wasn’t necessarily bad luck, but it came down to one play and the loss of sophomore running back Derrick Green, who was en route to becoming an effective runner prior to suffering a season-ending injury to his clavicle.

Green will be back. The Wolverines have assembled one of the strongest staffs in the country and are intent on righting the ship. Losses to Rutgers, and others like it, won’t fly in Harbaugh’s world. Every game is important, but handling business Nov. 7 in Ann Arbor shouldn’t be an issue.

No. 11: Sept. 19 vs. UNLV

Michigan and UNLV have never played, so there goes the history aspect of the ranking system. The Rebels visit Ann Arbor on Sept. 19 to step in the ring for a payoff. There’s no way they’ll win, right?

Back in 2013, Akron and UConn nearly toppled the Wolverines, so losing to an underdog isn’t impossible for Michigan. Unlikely, but not impossible. However, upset will be on the mind of coach Tony Sanchez, who's entering his first year at the collegiate ranks. He coached Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas before joining the Rebels this past December. 

With that said, the UNLV game shouldn’t give Harbaugh too much of a headache.

No. 10: Nov. 14 at Indiana

Michigan is 54-9 versus Indiana. The coach doesn’t matter, the players don’t really, either—as long as guys in winged helmets show up Nov. 14 in Bloomington, Harbaugh should get a win.

Michigan stumbled to a 5-7 finish in 2014, but it manhandled Indiana, 34-10.

Things are looking up for Michigan. Indiana’s still working on things. 

No. 9: Oct. 3 at Maryland

In somewhat surprising fashion, Maryland scored its first win over Michigan as a member of the Big Ten. The Terps essentially dominated in every way, form and fashion during their 23-16 victory that caused coach Randy Edsall to throw his head set in joyous celebration.

Pure jubilation. Extreme happiness.

He was really pleased.

Michigan should remember that image on Oct. 3 when it flies into Byrd Stadium in College Park for its second road game of 2015. Early road wins build character, and getting one at the expense of the Terps would be an ideal way to highlight Harbaugh’s early stretch.

No. 8: Oct. 10 vs. Northwestern

Northwestern is the spoiler of the Big Ten. The Wildcats, regardless of circumstances, seem to play up to their competition.

Most of the time, that is. In 2014, Northwestern and Michigan played one of the ugliest games in the history of college football. The Wolverines won 10-9, but viewers across the nation and those in attendance lost hours of their lives thanks to a pair of uninspired teams.

Michigan hosts Northwestern on Oct. 10. It’s a run-of-the-mill Big Ten home game—nothing more, nothing less. Other than the spoiler aspect, there’s not much to excite, at least today, when it comes to the Wolverines versus Wildcats in 2015.

No. 7: Sept. 26 vs. Brigham Young

Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images

BYU has competed well with some of college football's bluebloods. Will Michigan be next?

Brigham Young has run steadily since 2005 under the guidance of coach Bronco Mendenhall. Prior to going independent in 2011, his Cougars consistently competed for Mountain West titles.

The Cougars have finished 8-5 during the past three seasons but have proven capable of winning 10 or 11 games; they've also proven capable of beating big-time programs. In 2014, they beat Texas, 41-7. In 2013, the Cougars hung a 40-21 victory on the Longhorns, who were then ranked No. 15 in the nation. In 2012, they lost 17-14 to then-No. 5-ranked Notre Dame.

BYU visits Ann Arbor on Sept. 26, and it could be this year’s version of Utah, a sometimes-underrated opponent that packs a knockout punch.

No. 6: Oct. 31 at Minnesota

With a hefty serving of beatdown, the Gophers handed Michigan its third consecutive home loss in 2014. Three in a row at home? Never!

This game could have “revenge” written all over it on Oct. 31 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Jerry Kill is recognized as a rising coaching star in the Big Ten. Minnesota finished 8-5 in 2014 and appeared in the 2015 Citrus Bowl, which it lost to Missouri, 33-17. The Gophers are now a target, and Harbaugh will be on the hunt for a treat rather than a trick on Halloween.

No. 5: Nov. 21 at Penn State

USA TODAY Sports

Get ready for another coaching battle: Jim Harbaugh vs. James Franklin.

Happy Valley is one of the most intimidating environments in all of college football. The timing of this year’s game is especially crucial, as the Wolverines face the Nittany Lions just one week before squaring off with Ohio State on Nov. 28.

Michigan should have a confident starter by game day. Likewise, Penn State's Christian Hackenberg could be riding a hot arm. There are several other factors that go into this game, but they'd border Prediction Land. Predictions will come at a later date.

Beating Penn State on Nov. 21 could easily serve as a springboard for a victory the next week versus Ohio State. Bowl bids and positioning in conference races are often decided in late November, too.

No. 4: Sept. 12 vs. Oregon State

The Gary Andersen era is under way in Corvallis, and he’ll face one of his biggest challenges when his Beavers, who are trying to assert themselves in the Pac-12, enter Michigan Stadium on Sept. 12.

Before moving west, Andersen posted a 19-7 record at Wisconsin, making him, at the very least, familiar with the Wolverines and the Big Ten. A win over Michigan in Ann Arbor would be a gold star on his first-year report card.

A pair of coaches looking to turn things around should serve as an early gut-check for Harbaugh and Andersen. 

Michigan has won each of its four previous meetings with Oregon State; its most recent win came in 1986, when Harbaugh helped manufacture a 33-12 victory over the Beavers in Ann Arbor. That won’t tilt the balance one hair either way this fall, but it’s something to think about.

No. 3: Oct. 17 vs. Michigan State

Harry How/Getty Images

Michigan State has won 55 games during the past five years.

Mark Dantonio’s Spartans have won six of their past eight versus Michigan. Their past two victories were especially dominant, winning 35-11 at home in 2014 and 29-6 in 2013.

Harbaugh and Dantonio’s initial meeting Oct. 17 could decide which team moves to 6-0 and which one falls to 5-1. Maybe. If not that, it could be, at the very least, a turning point for both programs this fall.

A win by the Wolverines would break Michigan State’s strongest hold on the series since it went 6-0-1 from 1956 to 1962.

Harbaugh doesn’t need to be schooled on rivalries such as Michigan versus Michigan State—he lived it. The former Wolverines star quarterback and 1986 Heisman finalist knows what’s on the line and will likely plan accordingly. Throughout his short tenure, he’s expressed the desire to restore power and confidence in Ann Arbor.

Beating Michigan State would be a long stride in the right direction.

No. 2: Nov. 28 vs. Ohio State

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Circle Nov. 28 on your calendar.

Nov. 28 could end up being forever tied to Harbaugh.

Down the road, that date could have historical significance—for instance, the day Harbaugh stepped toe-to-toe with mighty Urban Meyer, won and started to even the balance.

Or it could just end up as another win for Ohio State, which has lost just thrice to Michigan since 2000.

The Wolverines have been close the past two years, though. They hung around for three quarters during a 42-28 loss in 2014 and were a two-point conversion away from beating the Buckeyes in 2013 (L, 42-41).

Facing Ohio State is always difficult, and yeah, the fact that it won the 2015 national title could be enough to rank it as Harbaugh’s toughest opponent during this upcoming season.

But The Game (it's still called that, right?) is more than eight months away. Ohio State’s national title won’t matter much by then.

Players on both sides will be ready as usual. Ann Arbor and Columbus will be teeming with emotion, which is very normal for the final week of November, but Round 1 of Harbaugh versus Meyer will certainly be the top storyline.

No. 1 Sept. 6 at Utah

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Utah owned Michigan during its 26-10 win in Ann Arbor in 2014.

On Sept. 6, Harbaugh will make his long-awaited debut. But it’ll be at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, not Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

And it’ll be against a team that dominated the Wolverines in 2014.

Utah’s 26-10 romp was easily one of the most embarrassing, hard-to-swallow moments in Michigan football’s recent history. An agonizing, two-and-a-half-hour rain delay certainly didn’t help matters, either. Michigan was forced to reel in pain before tending to its wounds.

Revenge. Payback. Turnabout is fair play? Whatever phrase works for you—they all mean the same thing. Harbaugh will definitely feel some type of pressure to not only perform well during his first outing as Michigan’s head coach, but to also send a message to the Utes.

After the win in 2014, Utah wide receiver Dres Anderson—who ripped the Wolverines with six catches for 57 yards and a touchdown—planted a metaphorical flag at the 50-yard line of Michigan Stadium.

That's a no-no. 

"I felt like it was the Ute House," he said, per the Associated Press (via ESPN.com). "We heard so much about the Big House. It was the Ute House at the end."

Michigan players likely remember those words, and they’ll probably want to turn Rice-Eccles into The Big House West Sept. 6. There is plenty of motivation behind this one, and ranking the Utes as Harbaugh’s toughest opponent today, tomorrow and the day after that makes perfect sense.

Follow Bleacher Report's Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and references were obtained firsthand by the writer via press conference, press release or other media availability.