Michigan is off to a 5-0 start to the 2021 campaign, and – once again – expectations are rising for Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines.

Okay, we’ve heard that one before, right? Still, few people likely expected Michigan to perform as well as it has entering Week 6, especially after losing star receiver Ronnie Bell for the year.

The old-school ground game of the Wolverines has led the offense to score 39.8 points per game, a mark that ranks 12th nationally. Michigan’s defense has allowed more than 14 points just once, and that was a 17-point performance by Wisconsin in a game that was controlled by the Wolverines. The 12.8 points per game allowed ranks 6th nationally.

So, what is the ultimate ceiling for this version of Harbaugh and company? The Week 6 road trip to Nebraska should be no cakewalk, and the toughest games on the schedule (at Michigan State, at Penn State, and vs. Ohio State) still remain.

But, moving forward, the Wolverines will be favored in every game but one, according to ESPN’s FPI. Here is what that system sees in store for Michigan in terms of win probability:

  • Oct. 9: at Nebraska – 63.2%
  • Oct. 23: vs. Northwestern – 96.0%
  • Oct. 30: at Michigan State – 57.9%
  • Nov. 6: vs. Indiana – 89.3%
  • Nov. 13: at Penn State – 51.7%
  • Nov. 20: at Maryland – 83.3%
  • Nov. 27: vs. Ohio State – 48.8%