The non-conference schedule has been a blessing and a curse for the Michigan Wolverines. On one hand, why risk a loss when the team can play a glorified preseason to get their legs underneath them and sort out any positional competitions? On the other hand, is the easy schedule leaving the team vulnerable for the first Big Ten game of the season?
Over the last two seasons, Michigan has been sluggish against its first conference opponent of the season. First against Rutgers in 2021, and again last season against Maryland.
2021 Rutgers (W, 20-13)
This was Michigan’s worst offensive performance of the season (275 total yards) and required two fourth-quarter stops to cling to a seven-point victory.