Back-2-Back Big Ten Champions

The 2022 Michigan Wolverines football team compiled a 13-1 record, going 9-0 in Big Ten play to win the East Division and capture a second consecutive conference championship. The Wolverines finished ranked No. 3 in the final AP and Coaches polls. They scored 566 points (40.4 per game) while allowing 225 (16.1 per game). Under eighth-year head coach Jim Harbaugh, Michigan posted the most wins in a single season in program history and the winningest two-year stretch (25-3) in school history.

Regular Season: Undefeated Dominance

Michigan opened with decisive non-conference victories: 51-7 over Colorado State, 56-10 against Hawai’i, and a 59-0 shutout of UConn. A 34-27 home win over Maryland completed a perfect September.

In Big Ten play, the Wolverines continued their dominance. Road wins at Iowa (27-14) and Indiana (31-10) were followed by a 41-17 home victory over No. 7 Penn State. Michigan then defeated Michigan State 29-7 to retain the Paul Bunyan Trophy, routed Rutgers 52-17 on the road, and beat Nebraska 34-3 at home.

A tense 19-17 Senior Day victory over Illinois set up the regular-season finale. On November 26 in Columbus, Michigan defeated No. 2 Ohio State 45-23—the program’s first win at Ohio Stadium since 2000 and the start of consecutive victories in the rivalry for the first time since 1999-2000. The result completed an in-season sweep of Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State, the first such sweep since 2000.

Postseason: Conference Title and Playoff Appearance

In the Big Ten Championship Game on December 3 in Indianapolis, Michigan defeated Purdue 43-22. Donovan Edwards earned MVP honors with 186 rushing yards and a touchdown as the Wolverines claimed their second straight conference title—the first back-to-back championships since 2003-04.

As the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff, Michigan faced No. 3 TCU in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal on December 31 in Glendale, Arizona. In a high-scoring contest, the Wolverines fell 45-51, ending the season at 13-1.

Statistical and Contextual Notes

The offense averaged over 40 points per game and ranked among the nation’s best in total yards and rushing. Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards powered a prolific ground attack, while J.J. McCarthy provided efficient quarterback play. The defense ranked among the top units nationally in points and yards allowed.

Michigan went 8-0 at home and remained undefeated through 13 games before the Fiesta Bowl. The season featured consistent physical dominance, particularly in the trenches, and marked the second consecutive year the program reached the College Football Playoff.

In the broader historical context, the 2022 campaign represented the peak of Harbaugh’s rebuilding effort. It established Michigan as a consistent national contender, delivered sustained success against traditional rivals, and set multiple program records for wins. The year solidified the foundation that would lead to the 2023 national championship the following season.