What could a two month season look like?

Ideal Michigan 8 Game Spring Schedule:

Week 1: @ Minnesota - This will be the first road test for the team right off the bat. And while the Golden Gophers are no juggernaut, they do have an upstart coach in P.J. Fleck and an above average level of talent for their respective program. They could be very dangerous after going 11-2 last year, though the idea of no crowds realistically makes it a less daunting of a task. The Wolverines should be bringing the Little Brown Jug back to AA by a touchdown. 

Week 2: Vs. Penn State - The first of the big division rivals comes to AA in week two. The Nittany Lions are always dangerous. It is hard to say what their team could actually look like in the spring but they always have top talent on board and James Franklin seems like a good fit as coach there. I think the Wolverines would be out for blood in this one after last year's loss, but it's hard to say what will occur without a crowd to back you up at home. This one is anybody's guess, but I will take Michigan in a close one. Why not?

Week 3: @ Rutgers - Let's face it, the Scarlet Knights just aren't a very good football team right now. This should be an easy road win and a much-needed break between big rivalries. At least the younger backups will get finally get some work in here.

Week 4: Vs. Michigan State - This is the opportunity for Harbaugh to truly take control of this particular rivalry. The Spartans honestly don't look too threatening but it is a true "anything can happen" kind of game so anything can actually happen. However, I ultimately think the Wolverines will be a two touchdown favorite that will deliver on covering the spread. 

Week 5: Vs. Indiana - The Hoosiers are solid enough all around to take anybody in the conference down on any given week. It should be a very good test before heading to Columbus the following week. Having two weeks at home before that trip is a bonus, but this will not really be an easy two weeks leading up to THE GAME. 

Week 6: @ Ohio State - I don't need to say much about this game. Just win. It is truly the only game that really matters to the fans this year. Many have already given up hope of beating them.

Week 7: Vs. Maryland - HC Mike Locksley will be looking to take advantage of the Wolverines the week after OSU. He could very well catch them off guard and deliver a gut-wrenching blow. His beef with former assistant Josh Gattis makes this an interesting matchup to watch despite Michigan's dominance over them. 

Week 8 : @ Northwestern - A little road trip to Illinois to close out the season will be a very anti-climactic way to end the season but it is a bit of a throwback to the way the college football used to be with teams unceremoniously ending their regular seasons without a rivalry week matchup. Good times. 

While there are some obvious holes in this schedule, it is at the very least doable considering these matchups are already scheduled. We just don't know the dates yet. And this would allow for the season to be over in January if they can get started by Thanksgiving. Then programs would be done playing ball before the official 2021 National Signing Day. They wouldn't have to recreate their entire spring practice scheduling either, thus allowing them all to get properly prepared for a full season next year. 

The toughest part of the schedule would obviously be facing Sparty, the Hoosiers, and the Buckeyes in three consecutive weeks while hoping to stay sharp enough against Maryland right after the trip to Columbus. Luckily, three out of those four games are at home. The opener at Minnesota will be a tough game with Penn State looming on the horizon for week two of the schedule, but getting Rutgers in week three really breaks it up a bit.