Regardless of Jim Harbaugh being unable to defeat hated rival Ohio State throughout his tenure in Ann Arbor, he’s still run a very successful program. Save for the cluster, you know what that 2020 proved to be for the maize and blue; amongst others, the Michigan Wolverines have secured four double-digit win seasons, as well as eight and nine win tallies.

The only thing marring what has been a very successful run-up north was the inability to defeat the hated Ohio State Buckeyes. That all came to an end in the perfect cap to a magical season after the Wolverines finally got the best of their most hated rival. In taking the wood to the Buckeyes and then shellacking Iowa in the B1G title game, Michigan punched its ticket to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history.

Though it resulted in a one-sided defeat to the eventual national champions, I believe the loss will have done nothing but thicken the skin of the collective and have them hungry to make another run at it in 2022.

Linemakers at BetRivers Sportsbook expect another successful campaign to play out with their season wins total lined at 9.5. The betting market is also in agreeance with heavy vig attached to the high side of the impost.

It sits only behind the Buckeyes on the futures odds to win the Big Ten as well as the East Division. It’s pretty safe to assume “The Game” will hold enormous ramifications when the teams lock horns right after Thanksgiving should everything go as planned.

I like what this team returns on both sides of the ball and don’t believe them to be a one-year wonder. If they play their cards right, they could make a repeat appearance in the CFP – gimme the over on that win total!

Bet the Michigan Wolverines Season Wins Total at BetRivers Sportsbook

Michigan Wolverines Season Wins Total: 9.5 Over -143

Dating back to the 2017 season, the Wolverines have alternated hitting the over against their win total. Last year saw them crush a 7.5-game impost after winning all but one regular season matchup – a surprising 37-33 loss at MSU after holding a 30-14 third-quarter lead. It proved to be their only major blemish of the regular season.

The number to beat is now up two full games to 9.5 for 2022, and I’m of the belief U of M has a nice stockpile of talent returning to make another run of it.

Though linemakers don’t foresee them challenging OSU for conference bragging rights, they could still lose to the Buckeyes in the season finale and find a way to surpass this total. That has everything to do with the schedule being extremely manageable.

Michigan Wolverines Season Win Total Analysis

 Whether it’s incumbent Cade McNamara or sophomore JJ McCarthy ultimately leading the offense, the unit is going to excel. The offensive line was dominant a season ago, helping pave the way for the tenth-best rushing attack in the country while conceding the fewest amount of sacks in the B1G.

Though a few spots need to be replaced, All-Big Ten G Zak Zinter and OT Ryan Hayes are back to make it a smooth and quick transition. Both QBs will be aptly protected either way.

Though Hassan Haskins has moved on, Michigan’s running game is still in the capable hands of Blake Corum, who went for nearly 1,000 rushing yards and 11 scores. If WR Ronnie Bell can return from the injury that sidelined him for a bulk of last season, the Wolverines offense will have a shot at being even better than last year’s unit. There’s also a high probability of it being way more explosive! Even with new OC’s calling the shots.

While there’s no replacing defensive dominators Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo, the Wolverines are stockpiled with talent that will make the transition a bit easier. New DC Jesse Minter has got a pair of tanks up front in Mazi Smith and Kris Jenkins, and the LB core also looks to be in solid shape with both Junior Colson and Nikhai Hill-Green moving up in the rotation. There are concerns in the secondary with a number of playmakers having since departed, but UM recruits well in the back seven, so look for the unit to start putting things together once B1G play kicks off.

Once Michigan starts the year off 3-0 after demoralizing a trio of cupcakes, the schedule finally starts to get interesting. Maryland and @Iowa lead into a likely scrimmage in Bloomington with the Hoosiers before taking on Penn State and Michigan State, both at home.  @Rutgers, Nebraska, and Illinois close it out leading up to the Big Game.

Michigan “should” be unscathed heading into that home game with Big Red. Can Mel Tucker and the Spartans pull it off again? I wouldn’t bet on it! I have the Wolverines pegged as 10+ game winners this season and believe the experience of last season is what ultimately gets them by the few tough spots on the schedule.

Even if OSU exacts revenge in the finale, they’ll still go on to cash over bettor’s tickets.

Michigan Wolverines Season Win Total Prediction: Over 9.5