JOSH GATTIS

The Michigan Wolverines have advanced to their second consecutive Big Ten Championship after dismantling the Ohio State Buckeyes 45-23 in Columbus, finishing the regular season undefeated while also planting their flag for Jim Harbaugh to win the coach of the year award again.

Three key takeaways from the state’s football scene this past weekend -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

The Michigan Wolverines survived their first challenge of the 2022 season with some record-setting contributions by junior running back Blake Corum and senior tight end Luke Schoonmaker to defeat the Maryland Terrapins 34-27 in the Big House.

Miami is hiring Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis to run new coach Mario Cristobal's offense with the Hurricanes.

The Georgia Bulldogs shattered the glass slipper of the Michigan Wolverines Cinderella season with a 34-11 demolition on New Year’s Eve in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl inside Hard Rock Stadium.

Jim Harbaugh leaned on advice from his brother nearly a year ago when he was looking for a new defensive coordinator at Michigan and ended up hiring Baltimore Ravens linebackers coach Mike Macdonald.

Georgia’s defense was nearly invincible for three months, allowing less than a touchdown per game.

The Michigan Wolverines and the Georgia Bulldogs will face off at the Capital One Orange Bowl of the College Football Playoff semifinal inside Hardrock Stadium on Dec. 31. 2021.

Michigan football received five new commitments in one day Wednesday, boosting its 2022 recruiting class into the top 10 during the early signing period.

Michigan offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Josh Gattis has won the Broyles Award given to the nation’s best assistant college football coach.

Michigan football survived its first four games without much of a passing attack, but that plan will have to change if the Wolverines hope to move the ball against Wisconsin.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Is the Joe Milton era over before Michigan football even got halfway through a shortened season? Milton was pulled late in the third quarter against Wisconsin with the Wolverines trailing 35-3, and backup quarterback Cade McNamara came in to lead a touchdown drive. Cade McNamara #12 of the Michigan Wolverines throws a second half past against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (2020 Getty Images)On the first play, McNamara fired a strike over the middle to Ronnie Bell for a 23-yard gain. Michigan has insisted McNamara could be a starting caliber quarterback, and he sure looked like it for four plays.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – There are countless reasons for Michigan football fans to be discouraged after the team’s loss to Michigan State, but here are the six most alarming signs for the future. Ronnie Bell #8 of the Michigan Wolverines fails to receive a pass during the second quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. When that changed Saturday against Michigan State, Milton struggled with accuracy down the field. MORE: Can Michigan salvage season after lifeless loss to Michigan State? Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during the fourth quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The debut of the 2020 Michigan football team was certainly worth the wait Saturday, as it went into Minneapolis and dominated No. Since Harbaugh returned to Ann Arbor in 2015, Michigan has dominated too many good teams to count on one hand. Sept. 26, 2015: Michigan beats No. Oct. 10, 2015: Michigan beats No. There’s still a long road ahead for this Michigan team.

Michigan and Minnesota haven’t met since 2017, when the Wolverines walloped the Golden Gophers in a weather-delayed, soaking wet night game. Well, I’m about to break down four well-thought-out reasons why Michigan will lose to Minnesota, then I’m going to pick Michigan to win anyway. It’s like Minnesota picked up a “Michigan letdown game” appetizer menu and ordered an entire sampler platter. Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. At times last season, Michigan struggled to get pressure on the quarterback.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – There are 25 players on the Michigan football roster who received scholarship offers from Minnesota during their recruiting processes. TE Erick AllRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. OL Karsen BarnhartRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. HenningRecruiting profile: 4-star, No. DL Luiji VilainRecruiting profile: 4-star, No.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan and Minnesota both had top-20 football teams last year, but now Jim Harbaugh and P.J. READ: Here’s where 39 Michigan football transfers are playing this seasonAttrition is the theme of every offseason in today’s college football. Both teams are undergoing makeovers this offseason, but it’s pretty clear Michigan is replacing more talent than Minnesota. It’s worth noting that Michigan is inherently going to lose more talent than Minnesota in any given year because of the obvious advantages in recruiting. Michigan is used to replacing NFL talent year-in and year-out, while Minnesota’s 2019 was a bit of a surprise.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – After a long, strange offseason that felt like it would never end, Michigan football is just 10 days away. With 10 days left until the start of the season, here are 10 reasons for Michigan fans to be excited about their team. Joe Milton eraNobody knows if Milton will be successful as Michigan’s starting quarterback, but he sure has all the tools. Road trips to Indiana are never easy, especially in between the Michigan State and Wisconsin games. Fans have waited a long time for Michigan football to return, and as soon as it does, it’ll be pedal to the metal.

In 2019, Michigan got major contributions from true freshmen Daxton Hill, Zach Charbonnet and Giles Jackson. 102 overall player, No. 123 overall player, No. Cornerback is a difficult position to play as a true freshman, but Michigan has a great need there this season. 484 overall player, No.

The Michigan Football Offseason Hype Train is standing room only, and it has a whole month to pick up speed. Like Isaac Newton said: When Michigan football hype is in motion, it stays in motion unless acted upon by a Buckeye, Badger or Nittany Lion. Joe Milton #5 of the Michigan Wolverines scores a fourth quarter touchdown while playing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. If he’s the quarterback who pushes Michigan football over the hump, celebrate him as Maize and Blue confetti rains from the rafters in Indianapolis. Let’s take a step back and let Joe Milton be Joe Milton.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football had a crowded running back room last season, and this year doesn’t figure to be any different as a familiar face and a talented freshman join Hassan Haskins and Zach Charbonnet. Four different players received more than 40 carries for Michigan last season: the aforementioned duo of Haskins and Charbonnet, along with Tru Wilson and Christian Turner. Michigan’s running back depth didn’t take a hit, though. Early last season, Charbonnet was the clear leader, as evidenced by his 33 carries in the double overtime win over Army. If there are any additional reps to go around behind Charbonnet, Haskins and Evans, Corum is the favorite to take them.

Wide receiver attritionIt looks like the Wolverines will be without three of their top four wide receivers from a year ago. That trio, which highlighted the team’s top-five 2017 recruiting class, combined for 96 catches, 1,490 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns last season. So what would the receiving corps look like if Collins isn’t in the picture? NewcomersNo matter who comes and goes, Michigan is always going to bring in new playmakers at the wide receiver position. They don’t all need to be better than Collins, Peoples-Jones and Black.

14 Michigan looks to continue its upward trajectory when it hosts Michigan State on Saturday in the battle for the Paul Bunyan trophy. LINE: Michigan -13"We know that they're going to treat this like their Super Bowl," Michigan cornerback Ambry Thomas told reporters. Michigan State is left to pick up the pieces following an epic collapse in the 37-34 loss to Illinois last week. Michigan State DE Kenny Willekes has 5.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss in 2019. PREDICTION: Michigan 31, Michigan State 17

Nico Collins #4 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates his first quarter touchdown with Tarik Black #7 next to Damon Hayes #22 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Christian Turner #3 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates his third quarter touchdown with offensive coordinator Josh Gattis while playing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Donovan Peoples-Jones #9 of the Michigan Wolverines makes a first quarter catch next to Damon Hayes #22 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Artur Sitkowski #8 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights is stopped on a fourth down run by Aidan Hutchinson #97 and Brad Hawkins #20 of the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan certainly feels a lot better this week than last, and if it goes on a winning streak, we'll know it started Saturday.

Josh Metellus #14 of the Michigan Wolverines carries the ball against the Army Black Knights during the first half at Michigan Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 20 Michigan looks to bounce back from its first loss of the season when it hosts Rutgers on Saturday. Rutgers is heading in the wrong direction as a 30-16 loss to Boston College in Week 4 dropped Chris Ash's team below .500. "Our mindset is to go play the best football we can regardless of who we play or where we play," Ash told reporters. PREDICTION: Michigan 31, Rutgers 13More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

7 Michigan went on to beat Middle Tennessee 40-21 Saturday night. Michigan made it 40-14 with Dylan McCaffrey's 6-yard run late in the third quarter and Ben Van Sumeren's 1-yard run with 6:37 left. Patterson was 17 of 29 for 203 yards with TD passes to Tarik Black, Nico Collins and Sean McKeon. McCaffrey completed both of his passes for 17 yards and ran for 42 yards along with a score. UP NEXTMiddle Tennessee: Hosts Tennessee State.

Michigan earned a 40-21 win thanks to three touchdown passes from senior quarterback Shea Patterson. "Middle Tennessee (is) one of the nine bowl teams we play this year and I have great respect for them," Harbaugh told reporters. ABOUT MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE (2018: 8-6)Sophomores Asher O'Hara and Chase Cunningham are competing with JC transfer Randall Johnson for the starting quarterback job after Brent Stockstill exhausted his eligibility. Michigan is 10-1-1 against teams from the state of Tennessee. PREDICTION: Michigan 48, Middle Tennessee State 17More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

After losing Chase Winovich, Rashan Gary, Devin Bush and David Long this season, Michigan is hoping for similar results. Kwity Paye #19 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to sack Peyton Ramsey #12 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Yes, Michigan needed to make major changes in the offense. Michigan needed to address each of these issues, and it did so with the home run hire of Josh Gattis. Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis (Michigan Football/@UMichFootball)Gattis needs to be good, and it needs to be immediate.

Here's a prediction of what the stats could look like for Michigan's top five wide receivers this season. 1 wide receiver in the 2017 recruiting class, and while he's been a good weapon for the Wolverines, he hasn't been a superstar. Tarik Black2019 stats: Four catches for 35 yardsMichigan football wide receiver Tarik Black makes a catch against Cincinnati (Joe Robbins/Getty Images). 595 player overallMichigan wide receiver Mike Sainristil during his recruiting process (Photo: Mike Sainristil/@MikeSainristil)It feels risky predicting a true freshman to be the No. As an early enrollee, Sainristil has an advantage over a pair of four-star wide receiver commits, Giles Jackson and Cornelius Johnson.