Given the proper circumstances and conditions, the Michigan Wolverines could win eight or nine games under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh in 2015. But given reality, the fact they don’t have an experienced quarterback and the gaping holes in other areas, a six- or seven-win finish could be in the cards.
Either way, just about anything would be an improvement upon going 5-7 and missing a bowl game.
Optimism is the word in Ann Arbor, but fans must temper expectations. Yes, Harbaugh is the answer for the Wolverines. He represents what they’ve been trying to replicate since 1989, the final year of the Bo Schembechler era. But even he needs an ample amount of time to set parameters.
It shouldn’t take him too long, but a two-year grace period should be extended. It will take him at least that long to get Michigan in position to compete in the Big Ten before taking a hard charge toward Michigan State and Ohio State.
The Wolverines’ 2015 schedule is as follows:
- Sept. 3 at Utah
- Sept. 12 vs. Oregon State
- Sept. 19 vs. UNLV
- Sept. 26 vs. Brigham Young
- Oct. 3 at Maryland
- Oct. 10 vs. Northwestern (HC)
- Oct. 17 vs. Michigan State
- Oct. 31 at Minnesota
- Nov. 7 vs. Rutgers
- Nov. 14 at Indiana
- Nov. 21 at Penn State
- Nov. 28 vs. Ohio State
At first glance, dates with the Spartans and Buckeyes catch attention, but Week 1 at the Utes will also present challenges for Harbaugh, who opens the fall against a team that embarrassed the Wolverines 26-10 in Ann Arbor a year ago.
This slideshow will break down the most winnable games to the most, well, losable ones for the Wolverines—plus those in between—by taking a look at returning personnel, coaching, timing and arrangement of games, plus the all-knowing “what if” factor.