Michigan Wolverines: Predicting each game in 2021

A return to prominence could be in the cards for the Michigan Wolverines. ESPN predicts the outcomes of every Wolverines’ game this season.

Predictions for every Michigan game, via ESPN:

Sept. 4th: vs. Western Michigan: The Wolverines opens the season against a school they’re undefeated against. ESPN gives them an 83.5% chance of starting their season with a victory. Anything less would be disheartening for Jim Harbaugh’s squad.

Sept. 11th: vs. Washington: Washington’s ferocious defense is looking for an early-season tone-setter. Can Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara keep the Huskies at bay? ESPN gives the Wolverines a 61.4% chance of sending their opponents back to the west with a loss. 

Sept. 18th: vs. Northern Illinois: After a hard-fought game the previous week, the Wolverines should take care of business against another Huskies squad. This time they hail from Northern Illinois. Calls for Harbaugh’s job will be deafening if they lose this game. ESPN gives them a 92% chance of victory.

Sept. 25th: vs. Rutgers: Michigan survived three overtimes against Rutgers last season. The Wolverines escaped Piscataway by the skin of their teeth. ESPN believes it won’t be as close at Michigan Stadium this season. Michigan has an 82.6% chance of victory.

Oct. 2nd: at Wisconsin: Michigan’s first road game is no small task. Wisconsin has the potential to be a force in 2021. Last season, the Wolverines lost 49-11 on their home field to the Badgers. One of the worst losses of the Jim Harbaugh era. ESPN doesn’t see a path to revenge. They’re giving Michigan a measly 32.3% chance of winning.

Oct. 9th: at Nebraska: While Harbaugh tries to turn his alma mater around, so is Nebraska’s Scott Frost. Both teams should improve on disappointing 2020s. ESPN predicts an evenly contested match-up. Michigan is given a slight edge, given a 52.5% chance of winning.

Oct. 23rd: vs. Northwestern: The Michigan Wolverines have only one loss in their last 12 games against Northwestern. ESPN believes the Wolverines return home and defeat the Wildcats. There’s a 63.4% chance the Wolverines continue their win streak vs. the Wildcats. 

Oct. 30th: at Michigan State: Michigan State also had a nightmare season in 2020. However, they defeated the Wolverines. Can Jim Harbaugh stop Mel Tucker from a second straight rivalry victory? ESPN predicts a close game, but sides with the Spartans. Michigan has a 48.2% chance of winning.

Nov. 6th: vs. Indiana: Indiana is a wildcard in the Big 10. Was their 6-2 season in 2020 an aberration? They defeated Michigan 38-21 last year. ESPN gives the Wolverines a 57.1% chance to avenge last season’s loss.

Nov. 13th: at Penn State: Penn State was winless entering last season’s match-up with Michigan. However, a 27-17 victory in the Big House catapulted them to four straight wins. ESPN isn’t giving the Wolverines much of a shot to defeat the Nittany Lions. Michigan has a 28% chance to leave Beaver Stadium victorious. 

Nov. 20th: at Maryland: Sandwiched in-between two bitter rivals are the Maryland Terrapins. This is a must-win for the Michigan Wolverines. They need to gain momentum prior to playing Ohio State. ESPN gives Michigan a 61.4% chance of doing just that. If they can slow down Taulia Tagovailoa, a win will follow.

Nov. 27th: vs. Ohio State: Jim Harbaugh is defined by his inability to defeat the Ohio State Buckeyes. Can they finally defeat their enemy in 2021? ESPN gives Michigan just an 18.7% chance of doing so. They came oh-so-close in 2016. Harbaugh, McNamara and the rest of the Wolverines will have to be perfect to get the job done in 2021.

After last season’s debacle, ESPN believes Michigan can return to respectability. Playing the percentage game, the Wolverines will go 8-4 in 2021. They can climb ever higher by defeating teams like Michigan State and Wisconsin. If they can accomplish that, the Wolverines are in for a special season. A season that’ll go a long way in Harbaugh’s hunt for glory.