Michigan Can Reach Major College Football Milestone In 2023

There's no doubt that the last two seasons have been incredible for Michigan Football fans. Multiple wins over Ohio State, back-to-back conference championships, and two straight trips to the College Football Playoff is almost as good as it gets if you bleed maize and blue.

Although 2021-22 provided some incredible moments, the 2023 season has all the makings of a truly magical season for the Wolverines if everything goes according to plan. The plan, of course, is to beat Ohio State, win a Big Ten Championship, and take the next step by winning the National Championship.

While there are certainly no guarantees when it comes to college football, Michigan will most likely be favored in every single game on the 2023 regular season schedule - meaning the Wolverines have a great shot at becoming the first program in college football history to reach 1,000 wins.

Currently sitting at 989 program wins, it feels almost certain that the Wolverines will hit that 1,000 win mark in 2023 - the only question is when? At this point, the two most likely candidates are either at Maryland in Week 11 or at home against Ohio State in Week 12.

Here's a look at how the season could play out, with game-by-game predictions:

As is often the case, the Wolverines will open up the season with a handful of tune-up games, including home contests against East Carolina, UNLV, Bowling Green, and Rutgers. A 4-0 start to the season seems like a pretty safe bet, and it would also take Michigan to 993 total program wins.

Sep. 2: East Carolina (win 990)
Sep. 9: UNLV (win 991)
Sep. 16: Bowling Green (win 992)
Sep. 23: Rutgers (win 993)

The next four games will certainly prove to be more of a challenge for Michigan, with three of the four games being played on the road - including back-to-back road games at Nebraska and at Minnesota.

Sep. 30: at Nebraska (win 994)
Oct. 7: at Minnesota (win 995)
Oct. 14: Indiana (win 996)
Oct. 21: at Michigan State (win 997)

The final four regular season games will prove to be the toughest for the Wolverines, with a late-season road matchup against Penn State and a home contest against Ohio State all remaining. This is where I think Michigan suffers its first (and only) loss of the 2023 season.

Nov. 4: Purdue (win 998)
Nov. 11: at Penn State (loss)
Nov. 18: at Maryland (win 999)
Nov. 25: Ohio State (win 1,000)

Although a late season road loss against Penn State would be painful, I don't believe it will be enough to prevent Michigan from making its third straight trip to Indy and the college football playoff. Ultimately, I think this is the year that Michigan finally breaks though and claims its 12th national championship in program history.

Another win over Ohio State (No. 1000 overall), another Big Ten Championship, another trip to the CFB Playoff and a National Championship? I'd say that sounds like a pretty good outcome in 2023 if you're a Michigan Football fan.