Michigan football schedule: Ranking the Wolverines' 2022 opponents

Michigan comes into the 2022 football season as defending Big Ten champions and fresh off a win over Ohio State and its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance.

And, after a brief fling with the NFL this offseason, Jim Harbaugh will return to his alma mater with a mandate to match that success, and push a little further.

The usual suspects stand between Michigan and a national championship, both in and out of the Big Ten. There's a date on the road at Iowa mid-season and the bi-annual trip to Columbus that should sort out the East Division race again.

What can the Wolverines look forward to this fall?

Scroll through for an early look at Michigan's opponents for the 2022 season, ranked from easiest to hardest.

Michigan football schedule: Ranking the Wolverines' 2022 opponents

12. UConn Huskies

When: Sept. 17

Where: Ann Arbor

What to expect: One of the surest things in college football is a win over the Huskies, who haven't won five games in a season in a decade. UConn is a 21-76 program in that time, and, desperate for some kind of leadership, brought on head coach Jim Mora, Jr. this offseason. He should squeeze some more wins out of this team eventually, but not in 2022, and not against Michigan in the Big House.

11. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

When: Sept. 10

Where: Ann Arbor

What to expect: Another program entering a new phase, this time after its former coach resigned amid reports of player abuse that got the Hawaii state senate involved. Todd Graham is out, as are a bevy of transfers, and new head coach Timmy Chang is in, with a lot of work to do repairing a roster that went 6-7 and placed fifth in its division a year ago.

10. Colorado State Rams

When: Sept. 3

Where: Ann Arbor

What to expect: Michigan opens up against a Rams team coming off a 3-9 mark last season and bringing on a new coach in Jay Norvell. But watch how the Rams attack the deep field with what should be an athletic group of receivers. Dante Wright returns following a 554 yard, 3 TD season in 2021, and CSU added Melquan Stovall and Tory Horton as transfers for what figures to be the best receiving corps in their division.

9. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

When: Nov. 5

Where: Piscataway

What to expect: Rutgers' third-worst scoring offense in the Big Ten was good for just about 19 points each time out last fall, while giving up almost 25 ppg to opponents. Even with its losses up front, Michigan should have the easy advantage at the line of scrimmage, but these teams played a close, 7-point game last fall. Noah Vedral steps in at quarterback again, but he'll have a real challenger in Gavin Wimsatt. If the Knights make a switch, expect to see a more aggressive, faster-moving offense.

8. Illinois Fighting Illini

When: Nov. 19

Where: Ann Arbor

What to expect: Illinois brings back a pretty solid rushing attack — Chase Brown was a thousand-yard rusher in 2021, and Joshua McCray, who added 549 yards and two scores. Bret Bielema's defense improved from 2020, allowing 20 points or fewer in seven games, and was about average in Big Ten matchups all told, but still struggles to get at the quarterback on a consistent basis.

7. Indiana Hoosiers

When: Oct. 8

Where: Bloomington

What to expect: What a difference a year made for the Hoosiers, who went from a 12th ranked, 6-2 team to a two-win afterthought. IU was good for just 17 points per game last fall and will lose wide receiver Ty Fryfogle. But it gains Missouri transfer quarterback Conner Bazelak, a 2,500-yard passer, something for first-year coordinator Walt Bell to work with.

6. Maryland Terrapins

When: Sept. 24

Where: Ann Arbor

What to expect: Mike Locksley has the Terps coming off their first winning season since 2014 and their first bowl win since 2010, despite going 0-4 against Big Ten opposition ranked in the Top 10. This was the fourth-best offense in the league a year ago, good for over 440 yards per game and scored a shade under 30 points each week. But Maryland needs better blocking up front and this defense needs work at every phase, posting the second-worst scoring mark in the conference (32.4 ppg).

5. Nebraska Cornhuskers

When: Nov. 12

Where: Ann Arbor

What to expect: One of the most open questions not only in the Big Ten but in college football after losing every game (nine in total) all by single digits. Including against Michigan, which won at Lincoln in a three-point nail-biter last fall. Nebraska brings on offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, who called Pitt's offense on an ACC championship run in 2021, and Texas transfer quarterback Casey Thompson, who led the Big 12 in TD passes last season, to give this offense a face lift.

4. Penn State Nittany Lions

When: Oct. 15

Where: Ann Arbor

What to expect: James Franklin goes to work earning that $75 million contract. He gets back QB Sean Clifford, but has major holes to fill a defense that ranked third in scoring in the Big Ten last season. PSU also needs to create a strategy running the ball after finishing second-worst in the conference and just lost Noah Cain to LSU.

3. Iowa Hawkeyes

When: Oct. 1

Where: Iowa City

What to expect: Going on the road to Iowa is always a tough out — just ask Penn State last year — but a Hawkeyes team that Michigan destroyed for the Big Ten title a year ago didn't exactly get better after losing some key pieces. It does return a fair chunk of a physical, well-coordinated defense, but lost center Tyler Linderbaum and still hasn't figured out how to consistently attack the deep field yet.

2. Michigan State Spartans

When: Oct. 29

Where: Ann Arbor

What to expect: The only team that beat Michigan in the regular season a year ago now comes to the Big House for what figures to be another consequential rematch. Payton Thorne is still a problem moving the ball downfield, and he gets back Jayden Reed, who led this team in receiving. But running back Kenneth Walker is gone, and Sparty brings back what in 2021 was by far the worst pass defense in the Big Ten.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

When: Nov. 26

Where: Columbus

What to expect: Jim Harbaugh finally got the scarlet and gray monkey off his back with a major statement victory over the Buckeyes last fall. A powerful rushing attack, determined blocking, and a strong pass rush were the keys to that win. But a lot of that production is gone, while OSU brings back a three-pronged attack at the skill positions, including Heisman finalist quarterback C.J. Stroud. We'll see how well first-year coordinator Jim Knowles has repaired the Buckeyes' defense after the unit was M.I.A. in losses to UM and Oregon.

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