Predicting Michigan football’s next five games after Texas loss

The 10th-ranked Michigan football team lost 31-12 to Steve Sarkisian, Quinn Ewers and the third-ranked Texas Longhorns on Saturday in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a huge letdown for fans of the team that previously held the longest winning streak in the nation at 16 games. 

Now, the Wolverines’ schedule lightens up for a moment with the Arkansas State Red Wolves coming to town followed by another marquee matchup at home vs. the 13th-ranked USC Trojans.

New head coach Sherrone Moore’s team needs a signature win in the worst way. They will kick off the next stretch of their season next Saturday at 12 p.m., giving them a chance to fine-tune things against Arkansas State before head coach Lincoln Riley’s team presents another roadblock.

Here is a prediction of how Michigan’s next five games will go: 

1. Michigan vs. Arkansas State (Sept. 14, 12 p.m. ET)

The Red Wolves will likely be a huge underdog heading into Week 3, even with Michigan’s struggles against the Longhorns.

Michigan QB Davis Warren and the rest of the Wolverines QB room needs a solid performance to erase concerns and instill confidence for the rest of the season.

Expect Warren and the Wolverines to rebound with a three-to-four-touchdown win in this one against their opponents from the Sun Belt, who were 1-0 heading into Saturday night’s matchup with the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. 

Prediction: Michigan 34, Arkansas State 6

2. Michigan vs. USC (Sept. 21, 3:30 p.m. ET)

The Wolverines will try something new at Michigan Stadium during this game as they are encouraging fans to take part in a “stripe out” of alternating Maize and Blue colors in the stands.

Quarterback Miller Moss gives USC a huge edge in this game. The Trojans have shown they can beat a top tier SEC program with their current team judging by their Week 1 win over the LSU Tigers.

Michigan could have quarterback Jack Tuttle back by this game, and Tuttle could start. 

The Wolverines’ offense should be a lot better by the time this game rolls around, but USC will be fired up in their first big Big Ten contest.

Prediction: USC 27, Michigan 16

3. Michigan vs. Minnesota (September 28, time TBD)

The Golden Gophers played well enough to beat North Carolina in Week 1 but missed a potential game-winning kick. Minnesota HC P.J. Fleck’s team rebounded with a 48-0 win over Rhode Island in Week Two. 

The Little Brown Jug will be on the line for this game in Ann Arbor before Michigan heads to Washington the following week. 

Expect a tight, hard-fought game with Michigan’s defense. Tight end Colston Loveland could prove to be the difference in this one.

Prediction: Michigan 21, Minnesota 16 

4. Michigan at Washington (October 5, time TBD)

The Huskies beat Eastern Michigan 30-9 on Saturday to move to 2-0 on the young season. Their quarterback Will Rogers had four touchdowns through the air. 

Rogers could do damage in this game in this game. If Michigan doesn’t get better quarterback play, they won’t have much of a chance to win in hostile territory on the road.

Prediction: Washington 23, Michigan 17 

5. Michigan at Illinois (October 19, time TBD)

This game could be the difference between a decent bowl game and a disastrous season for the Wolverines. The Fighting Illini showed grit against Kansas on Saturday proving they are not the same easy out they were in previous seasons. 

Talent-wise, Michigan has a big edge. The Wolverines should have their QB situation and running game sorted out by this point in the season giving them a leg up on QB Luke Altmeyer’s Illini. 

Prediction: Michigan 20, Illinois 13