Michigan embracing role as Big Ten favorite

On3 imageby:Griffin McVeigh06/08/23

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Even after Michigan beat Ohio State in 2021, people expected the Buckeyes to be Big Ten favorites in 2022. Flash forward a year and a win at the Big House has flipped the script for head coach Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines will be the popular choice to win the conference, not their arch-rivals.

With the expectations comes a different weight on your shoulder. Chris Balas of The Wolverine recently got the perspective of a player and shared it via the On3 Roundtable. There might be pressure but the Michigan players are not going to change their mindset — just trying to go out there and win.

“There is a segment out there that still thinks Ohio State is the team to beat,” Balas said. “And I think they’re kind of clinging to that. I was talking to Trevor Keegan, Michigan’s grad student offensive guard who has been here forever.

“He said ‘You know what? Last year, people wrote us off. We knew even at halftime, early in that game when Ohio State was beating us, we would come back and win. We had that confidence.’ He said ‘We don’t care what they think of us in the preseason. All that matters to us is getting back. If we have a target on our back, so be it. We have the same mindset, same mentality. People knew we were good last year and if they didn’t by the Ohio State game, then what were they watching?'”

The players have discussed more than just winning a Big Ten title as well. Many feel like the next step for the program is winning a national championship. To this point, two straight College Football Playoff semifinal losses have felt like a disappointment when reflecting.

Balas then took some time to reflect, thinking back to the 2020 season. Michigan went 2-4 in the COVID-19-shortened season and did not face off against Ohio State. Harbaugh was thought to be in serious trouble moving forward.

But now, the Wolverines have two consecutive Big Ten championships. Add on being considered the favorites heading into 2023 and nobody in Ann Arbor would have believed this to be the scenario just over two years ago.

“It’s been fascinating to see from 2020 to now where this program has gotten,” Balas said. “But they firmly expect to win a third Big Ten title and I think some people will have them the favorite.”