The Michigan Wolverines host Minnesota at noon this Saturday at the Big House. Then, they gear up for their first road game of the season, a National Championship rematch against the Washington Huskies. That game will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

After that, the only other game with a confirmed kickoff time is The Game in Columbus (noon, FOX), so today’s exercise will be to try and predict the rest of Michigan’s kickoff times for the 2024 season.

Week 8 at Illinois

The No. 19 Fighting Illini have been a huge surprise this season and remain undefeated. On the docket this weekend is their toughest game of the year, at Penn State. After that is a home game against arguably the worst team in the conference in Purdue.

Looking at the rest of the games on the schedule for Week 8, this game appears to be — on paper as of now — the best looking one of the bunch. Ohio State and Penn State are on bye this week, and the Big 12’s best looking game is Iowa State/UCF. I have a hunch FOX will want this at noon with Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt on the call.

Prediction: Noon on FOX

Week 9 vs Michigan State

Warde Manuel made a fuss before the season started about wanting to limit the amount of home night games the Wolverines get each season. So far, they’ve had just one (Week 1 vs Fresno State). Well, this is probably the best opportunity for them to host another one. This has been a night game the last two years, so why not extend that to three?

Prediction: Primetime on NBC

Week 10 vs Oregon

This is a gauntlet of a college football Saturday. Not only does Michigan play Oregon, but Ohio State travels to Penn State, USC heads to Washington, Minnesota travels to Illinois, and Wisconsin plays at Iowa.

That is a doozy in the Big Ten for one Saturday. At the end of the day, I think OSU/PSU will be the Big Noon Kickoff, and USC/Washington will be the nightcap. I am going to pencil in Michigan/Oregon for the midday game, but I could see this being a primetime game as well if USC/Washington kicks off at 11 p.m. ET.

Prediction: 3:30 p.m. on CBS

Week 11 at Indiana

Another team that has been much better than anticipated is head coach Curt Cignetti’s first team at Indiana. The Hoosiers are currently undefeated and — if you look at their schedule — very well could be undefeated heading into this game.

There are some pretty good games in Week 11, and even though this has the potential to be a great matchup, Michigan can’t be the Big Noon Kickoff game every weekend. However, I still think this ends up being an afternoon game because this is the week that Penn State has its White Out, and NBC would be foolish to not take that one.

Prediction: 4 p.m. kick on FOX/FS1

Week 12 vs Northwestern

Do I really need to provide any analysis here? Apologies to any NW fans out there.

Prediction: Noon on Big Ten Network