Detroit News UM beat writer Angelique S. Chengelis predicts Michigan's season:
At Utah, Sept. 3: The beginning of the Jim Harbaugh Era has a tricky start in a Thursday night game at Utah. The Utes were 9-4 last season, including a win at Michigan. They were second in defense in the Pac-12 last year. Quarterback Travis Wilson is experienced and will try to become the Utes’ first four-year starter. Utah gets the edge with home-field advantage. Prediction: Loss.
Oregon State, Sept. 12: The Beavers have too much youth at quarterback, and with a new offensive coordinator in Dave Baldwin, who has installed an up-tempo system, it could take some time. Their defense lost too many starters from last year. Former Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen is in his first season there and will have a tough time in Ann Arbor. Prediction: Win
UNLV, Sept. 19: Tony Sanchez, who won six straight state titles at Bishop Gorman High in Las Vegas, is trying to change the culture at UNLV, which won only two games last season, including one in conference. He had his team scrimmage during camp at a local Air Force base to learn another aspect of discipline. The program is several years away. Prediction: Win.
BYU, Sept. 26: The Cougars suffered a blow in early August when three-year starting running back Jamaal Williams, who led the team with 518 yards and four touchdowns last season, withdrew from school for personal reasons and will redshirt. Coach Bronco Mendenhall likes the progress of the defense and quarterback Taysom Hill is recovered from the broken leg suffered last season. Prediction: Win.
At Maryland, Oct. 3: The Terrapins have too many question marks to pull off a second straight victory against the Wolverines. Quarterback Caleb Rowe, who has dealt with several knee injuries, must work an offense that will be without receiver Stefon Diggs. The Terps had too many starters to replace on defense. Michigan picks up a road win. Prediction: Win.
Northwestern, Oct. 10: Northwestern has missed bowl games the last two seasons and has had to patch some holes. It must now must work on its offense -- which has been woeful the last few seasons -- behind a new quarterback. The good news for the Wildcats is they have some playmakers on defense, including senior linebacker Anthony Walker and senior cornerback Nick VanHoose. Still, that won’t be enough. Prediction: Win.
Michigan State, Oct. 17: The Spartans will play in Michigan Stadium for the first time since 2012 after a quirk in Big Ten scheduling gave them two straight games at home against their in-state rivals. MSU has dominated the series, winning six of the last season, and has too much firepower again on both sides of the ball. Prediction: Loss.
At Minnesota, Oct. 31: Coach Jerry Kill has made defense a focus of the Gophers, but this year they have to find a way to improve a passing offense that ranked 119th last season. Quarterback Mitch Leidner returns. The Gophers ranked sixth in the Big Ten in rushing and in scoring offense, and while the running game will be key, Leidner has to get the pass game clicking. Prediction: Loss
Rutgers, Nov. 7: The Scarlet Knights were weak defensively last season and probably won’t show many signs of improvement this fall. They’re also on their sixth offensive coordinator in six years and must break in a new quarterback. The highlight is receiver Leonte Carroo. Prediction: Win
At Indiana, Nov. 14: No more running back Tevin Coleman for the Indiana offense, and that’s a big chunk of production to replace. Indiana’s defense ranked at the bottom or close to it in every category in the Big Ten and it’s not vastly improved. Quarterback Nate Sudfeld, out last season because of a shoulder injury, is back. Prediction: Win
At Penn State, Nov. 21: Beaver Stadium is a tough place to play, and assuming quarterback Christian Hackenberg will find his touch from his freshman year in 2013 and assuming the horrid offensive line from last season has improved, this will be a tough one for the Wolverines. Seven starters returns from a Big Ten-leading defense. Prediction: Loss.
Ohio State, Nov. 28: Defending national champion Ohio State hasn’t lost a step from last season and could be even better. Many will draw comparisons to Bo Schembechler’s first year at Michigan in 1969 and the upset of the seemingly unbeatable Buckeyes. Ohio State has an abundance of talent and will win this one. Prediction: Loss.
FINAL RECORD: 7-5 overall, 4-4 Big Ten.