Michigan announces date, opponent for annual Maize Out game

On3 imageby:Nick Schultz06/16/22

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Michigan fans now know when the annual Maize Out game is — and it’s a big opponent.

The Wolverines will hold the event Oct. 15 when Penn State comes to The Big House, Michigan Athletics announced Thursday. Last year, the Maize Out game took place Sept. 11 when Michigan defeated Washington 31-10 as part of a run to a Big Ten title and a College Football Playoff appearance.

Penn State fans are used to these types of games, holding a White Out game at Beaver Stadium every year. This year’s White Out is scheduled for Oct. 22 — the week after Michigan’s Maize Out — when Minnesota comes to State College.

Michigan went 12-2 last year, including an 8-1 record in Big Ten play, to advance to the conference championship game. The Wolverines also knocked off Ohio State in the last game of the season for the first time in 10 years, punching their ticket to Lucas Oil Stadium against Iowa. They then defeated the Hawkeyes 42-3 before falling to eventual national champion Georgia in the Orange Bowl 34-11.

Michigan lost some key pieces from last year’s team, though. Aidan Hutchinson became the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions while David Ojabo went in the second round. The duo formed quite a one-two punch for the Wolverines last year, combining for 25.0 sacks and 28.5 tackles for loss. They’re two big holes to fill on defense, but the offense saw some departures, too.

Notably, Hassan Haskins — last year’s leading rusher — is out of the picture after becoming a fourth-round pick by the Tennessee Titans. But Blake Corum is still in Ann Arbor, giving Jim Harbaugh a major weapon in the backfield.

In addition, Cade McNamara and JJ McCarthy are both back at quarterback, meaning Michigan will have its options under center. Add in the No. 9 recruiting class in the country, according to the On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Ranking, and the Wolverines could make some noise in the Big Ten this year.