Michigan fans’ big gift is still waiting to be claimed, unwrapped and enjoyed. Should the No. 2 Wolverines take down No. 3 TCU during the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, they’ll earn the privilege of squaring off with either No. 1 Georgia or No. 4 Ohio State for the most sought-after prize in college football.

Winning a national championship would be the ultimate accomplishment. But what if Michigan knocks off the Buckeyes for the second time in one year? That would make a national title all the more satisfying for the Wolverines, who are 13-0 for the first time in program history.

Regardless of the College Football Playoff results, Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines have solidified themselves among the nation’s elite programs. The 2021 season was incredible for UM, paving the way to its current position. The 2022 season, however, could end up being the best under Harbaugh, granting the team’s/fanbase’s 8-year-long wish (well, 25-year if we’re counting back to1997) for a national championship.

The prestige and luster has been restored in Ann Arbor. And thanks to a historical run through the regular season, the gifts just kept piling up on a weekly basis.

Has 2022 the best year of Michigan football?

The answer: Yes, it has been.

And here’s why.

B2B B1G

The Wolverines, at least for the past 2 seasons, are on top of the Big Ten, arguably the best conference in college football. During the past 2 seasons, Harbaugh has notched a record of 25-2, including back-to-back victories over Ohio State.

Harbaugh’s vision has come to fruition. The past 2 years of Michigan football have silenced most of the outside criticism. Media members who once called for Harbaugh’s job have now hopped on the Khaki Bandwagon.

Winning on the trail and in portal

Michigan’s 2023 recruiting class isn’t conventional, and that’s due to the changing landscape of college football. While the Wolverines did well on the recruiting trail, they’re mostly known — at the moment — for cleaning up in the transfer portal. Instead of acquiring younger talent, Michigan has snagged a handful of experienced players who’ll certainly add to depth. With the transfers being older, they’ll likely also help set a more mature tone in the locker room. That’s not to say that UM has an issue in that area, but there is a big difference between seasoned transfers and green freshmen.

Harbaugh’s construction has been nothing short of perfect. When it comes to working the portal, he knows exactly what he’s doing and has the No. 1-ranked transfer class of 2023, per 247Sports.

OL Joe Moore Award

Thanks to Harbaugh’s portal prowess, the Wolverines should be able to reload the best offensive line in the country — a line that’s been recognized as such for the past 2 seasons. With transfer LaDarius Henderson of Arizona State, along with Myles Hinton and Drake Nugent from Stanford, the Wolverines have experienced and capable additions to the offensive line.

Development of offense

Averaging 40.1 points per game, Michigan has the No. 7-ranked scoring offense in the country. At one time, the Wolverines were in the top 3 in that category.

This is a lethal offense, led by sophomore QB JJ McCarthy. Other than winning the Big Ten, beating Ohio State and competing for a national title, McCarthy’s development has been the most-welcome gift Harbaugh’s program has place under the Christmas tree. McCarthy will be in command for at least another 2 years, so the offense is in great hands with a blossoming star.

The run game was arguably the best in the country, led by RB Blake Corum. Should Corum return next year (he’s 50/50 right now), the Wolverines would have one of the top QB/RB combos in the game. Add in Donovan Edwards, who makes big plays like it’s his job, and that’s an incredible trio of playmaking ability.

They can all run.

Two of them can throw.

Watching the Wolverines unwrap their offensive firepower had to be a highlight of the season for Harbaugh and UM fans.

More gifts

Michigan State couldn’t beat Michigan. Ohio State tried its best. Penn State failed as well.

Three wins over familiar foes, all in the same season, certainly qualify as gifts for the Wolverines. The only thing that could have been better? A win over Notre Dame. Imagine a season with wins over the Spartans, Buckeyes, Nittany Lions AND the Irish. We can all dream about such a scenario, right?

Either way it’s cut, the 2022 season was full of gifts from the Wolverines.

Are more on the way? If so, they’d just add to the spoils. Michigan fans have received everything they could ever want, in terms of a wish list. Well, almost everything. We’ll find out more after New Year’s Eve when the Wolverines face the Horned Frogs in Glendale, Arizona.