U of M Podcast

We may be months away from Kickoff, but that doesn't mean we can't talk about football. With a lot to to look forward to in the 2022 season, why not look back at some of the biggest games that came out of 2021 and rank them based on how much of an impact they had on the success of the season, regardless of the outcome.

Its been, shall we say, an interesting start to the offseason for the Wolverines. First our Defensive Coordinator leaves to go back to the Ravens, then our Head Coach flirts with an NFL team on Signing Day, now, our Offensive Coordinator leaves for the Miami Hurricanes on terms of feeling "unappreciated". Hold on to your seats, this one's gonna be bumpy.

The most empty time of the year beings, the offseason. Just because the season is over doesn't mean there is a shortage of developing stories on the horizon. We may be looking for a new head coach and a plethora of defensive players are moving on to the NFL Draft leaving us with anxiety and anticipation for what next year has in store for the Michigan Wolverines.

While the loss to Georgia in our first appearance in the College Football Playoffs hurts, it doesn't take away from the fact that the 2021-22 season was a successful one for the Michigan Wolverines. From reestablishing the running game, to winning at venue for the first time in decades, to finally  beating your hated rival, to being on the receiving end of a 12-1 regular season and arguably the best feat of all, winning the Big Ten Championship, once again returning Michigan to the rightful owner of the phrase, "The Champions of the West".

Let's be honest, Michigan has out-performed expectations as of November 27th, anything else at this point is just decoration. In at least 4 games this year, the Wolverines have proven that they deserve to be taken seriously by the Playoff Committee, from winning under the lights against Washington, to winning for the first time in 2 decades in Camp Randall, to finally getting the victory over Ohio State. Even after the doubters have been proven wrong time and time again, Michigan once again faces off against the odds for a chance to get their first bowl win since 2016. Vegas has made their mark saying that Georgia will win by a Touchdown, but after their embarrassing loss to Alabama in the Sec Championship, the Bulldogs look vulnerable and the Wolverines smell blood in the water.

Bowl Season is officially under way as of December 17th and we less than 3 weeks until Michigan plays in their long awaited game against the Georgia Bulldogs. Until then, we get to sit back and watch other Group of Five, Power Five and Big Ten teams play Russian Roulette with each other. With the selection committee having finalized the teams who will be competing, the Big Ten will  be sending 9 teams to the bowl games (Minnesota, Maryland, Purdue, Penn State, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan State, Ohio State and Michigan).

We are one week removed from the Big Ten Championship and one week out from bowl season officially kicking off. Now would be an excellent time to give thanks to the players who have gone above the call of duty and really stand out to make an impact felt throughout the entire team to the point where the team may not have had the same level of success with out them.

After years of neglect and being at the center of scrutiny, Michigan finally wins their first outright Big Ten Title since 2003, while also winning their first Big Ten Championship game and making their first appearance in the College Football Playoffs. With Championship weekend now officially over, the rankings from the Playoff Committee have been set and your bowl contenders have been selected. Michigan State will play Pittsburgh in the Peach Bowl, Ohio State will play Utah in the Rose Bowl and your Michigan Wolverines will play the Georgia Bulldogs in the Orange Bowl.

From making history in infamy, Michigan now has a chance to not only win another Big Ten Title, but win 12 games in a season for only the second time in program history. While the win against Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State look pretty on paper, Iowa has established themselves as a "dark horse champion" in the Big Ten West relying on wins and a little bit of luck to get them to Indianapolis, much like the Wolverines. Who's 2021 season will end with the Big Ten crown? We'll find out come December 4th.

Four score and 10 years ago, our alumni of the winged helmet celebrated a victory over the buckeyes by using our star Quarterback, Denard Robinson to confuse their defense and take it to the house. Today, we dedicate a piece of history to Aiden Hutchinson and the 2021 Wolverines for setting the new single season sack record and overcoming all obstacles from 2020, finishing the year 2-4, to bouncing back to finishing the regular season 11-1. Celebrate how you must, but remember, the season ain't over yet.