College football is unique in that a single loss could mean the difference between a conference championship appearance (or the ultimate regular-season goal, a College Football Playoff spot) and ending up in an average bowl game. The Michigan Wolverines are hoping to rebound from a disappointing 8-5 campaign, but the expectations in Ann Arbor are still for this team to make the playoff.
If the Wolverines want to reach their goal of winning the Big Ten and competing for a College Football Playoff, they need to win some of the most challenging games on their 2018 schedule. Those games won't be easy, but they are of vital importance to Michigan's playoff hopes. With that in mind, here are Michigan's five toughest games in 2018:
5) Michigan State Spartans - Oct. 20
This in-state rivalry is always one of the games of the year and you know that Michigan is chomping at the bit for the chance to get revenge for last year's upset loss to the Spartans. Michigan State will be very good in 2018 - they're going to be ranked in the top 10 or 15 in the preseason - and this will be a huge test in legitimizing the playoff candidacy of both teams.
4) Wisconsin Badgers - Oct. 13
Last year's game in Madison was a slugfest and this will be perhaps Wisconsin's biggest test of the season. For Michigan, this will be their first game against a preseason ranked team following the season-opener against Notre Dame.
If they lose to the Fighting Irish, the Wolverines will need this win to get back into the playoff conversation. If they beat Notre Dame, a win over the Badgers would put Michigan at the forefront of that conversation.
3) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions - Nov. 3
This has the chance to be a playoff elimination game. Neither team can afford two losses and Penn State will have already played Michigan State and Ohio State while Michigan will have faced Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and Michigan State.
If both teams are undefeated, the advantages for the winner are obvious. However, if both teams have a loss, the loser is all but out of the CFP race.
2) at Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Sept. 1
How about reviving an old rivalry game to serve as the marquee game of opening weekend? Both will be ranked (likely in the top 20) to start the season, giving both the chance for an early signature win. Plus, Brian Kelly going up against Jim Harbaugh is must-see TV. And, should the Wolverines lose, how will the Michigan fan base react to Harbaugh losing yet another rivalry game?
1) at Ohio State Buckeyes - Nov. 24
Michigan's schedule is pretty tough, eh? The Wolverines have come close to beating the Buckeyes each of the past three seasons but Harbaugh has not managed to knock off Ohio State yet.
This game has also had major playoff implications two years in a row - Ohio State's double-overtime win in 2016 sent them to the playoff despite not winning the Big Ten and their win in Ann Arbor in 2017 propelled them to the Big Ten title (though they narrowly missed out on the CFP). What will the stakes be this time around?
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