Michigan's Biggest Big Ten Threat In 2023

The Michigan Wolverines are early favorites to capture their third-straight Big Ten championship this fall. In order for that to happen, however, they'll need to navigate their way through a tricky schedule that includes five road matchups in seven weeks.

Here's a look at how the 2023 schedule is set up:

Sept. 2 vs. East Carolina (Noon, Peacock)

Sept. 9 vs. UNLV (3:30 p.m., CBS)

Sept. 16 vs. Bowling Green (7:30 p.m., BTN)

Sept. 23 vs. Rutgers

Sept. 30 at Nebraska

Oct. 7 at Minnesota

Oct. 14 vs. Indiana

Oct. 21 at Michigan State

Oct. 28 Idle

Nov. 4 vs. Purdue

Nov. 11 at Penn State (Noon, Fox)

Nov. 18 at Maryland

Nov. 25 vs. Ohio State (Noon, Fox)

Although back-to-back road games against Nebraska and Minnesota could certainly present the Wolverines with some challenges, it feels like Michigan's conference championship hopes rest on the outcome of two key matchups in 2023 - at Penn State and home against the Buckeyes.

Even though Michigan has defeated Ohio State convincingly over the last two matchups, conventional wisdom would normally tell you that the Buckeyes present the biggest threat to the Wolverines capturing their third straight conference title. That doesn't seem to be the case in 2023. Ohio State just recently settled on a starting QB with Kyle McCord getting the nod, but the junior quarterback is largely unproven and will be throwing behind an offensive line with a lot of question marks.

While Ohio State will certainly arrive in Ann Arbor looking to exact revenge for last years embarrassment in Columbus, Michigan's biggest challenge appears to be waiting in Happy Valley when the Wolverines travel to Penn State on Nov. 11. At 6-5, 242 pounds, sophomore quarterback Drew Allar looks every bit the part of a big time quarterback who can present a number of problems for an opposing defense. Add in the two-headed monster with running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton, along with a defensive unit that should be one of the best in the country, and it's easy to see why Penn State takes the No. 1 spot as Michigan's biggest Big Ten threat in 2023.