Ready or not, we have 15 days until Michigan football. Chances are anyone reading this wishes the next two weeks would fly by.
If you’re an Aaron Bills fan and follower on Twitter like I am, you probably have this or one of his schedule edits as your phone lock screen.
I plan on getting to more of these lockscreens, but here is one of the most requested.@RashanAGary pic.twitter.com/2eKRaIVy9G
— Aaron Bills (@AaronBDesigns) August 4, 2017
The Schedule
Not only are the position group battles going on in fall camp being talked about, but also the potential wins/losses and best/worst case scenarios based on the schedule. The four games that likely stand out the most are as follows:
Sept. 2- Florida in Arlington, Texas
Oct. 21- At Penn State
Nov. 18- At Wisconsin
Nov. 25- Ohio State
While the first test against Florida got a little more manageable lately with seven suspended players, what really counts to stay in contention is conference games, especially in the division.
Trap Games
There are always pesky trap games not to look past, and I actually disagree with the poll results; I have Indiana in Bloomington on Oct. 14 as this year’s trap game.
#Michigan has 3 tough conference games and opens against Florida. Which is the biggest trap game?
— David Noe (@DavidRNoe) August 3, 2017
What is the most important game on the schedule and why?
To be the best, you have to beat the best, and that team, at least right now, is the defending Big Ten Champs Penn State. They are looking to live up to the hype and silence the critics as the defending champs in the conference with a very talented squad.
That Oct. 21 matchup between Michigan and Penn State will likely be at night in Happy Valley. If both teams are undefeated, its also very likely the stop for ESPN’s Gameday to cover a top-10 showdown. Michigan’s 49-10 thumping last year at The Big House was not against the same Penn State team we saw at the end of the year, and both teams will have a lot to prove in 2017 for their own reasons.
Three reasons why I say this game is the most important:
- They would beat the 2016 Big Ten Champs in one of the toughest road game environments in college football. They would silence the, more than likely, sold out whiteout stadium under the lights.
- A win knocks them out of the division race, especially if Ohio State beats them the next week in Columbus.
- A win gives this young team a huge confidence boost that propels them into a true contender for the Big Ten title, even with a loss against Florida. This would also be Jim Harbaugh’s biggest road win to date.
You may be saying the Ohio State game is the most important. That would be true, but if Michigan has 2-3 losses already they would be playing for nothing but to beat the Buckeyes and have an opportunity to play in a decent bowl game.
Expectations are high for one of the youngest teams in the country and the talent level will soon be turning heads. It’s just a matter of whether it is this fall or next.
Poll
What is Michigan’s most important game in 2017?
This poll is closed
-
16%
Florida
-
23%
Penn State
-
3%
Wisconsin
-
56%
Ohio State
-
0%
Other
You can follow David Noe on Twitter @DavidRNoe