Michigan football isn’t getting as much love as some other recent national championship-winning schools, but that could be up to the Wolverines heading into 2024.
Maize and Blue have a lot to prove this upcoming season and will certainly have a weight on their shoulders. With a new coach in Sherrone Moore, a new starting quarterback and some key players who have left for the NFL, the Wolverines aren’t getting the same love they did. Clemson or Georgia they had when they finally won the whole thing.
ESPN released its post-spring 2024 college football power rankings on Monday and the Wolverines ranked 10th overall, behind schools like Georgia, Ohio StateIt is Notre Damebut ahead of some other fashion beasts, such as Penn State, LSUIt is Oklahoma.
Spring Update: The Wolverines won’t fall off a cliff after coach Jim Harbaugh left to coach the Los Angeles Chargers following a season in which he guided his alma mater to its first national title in 26 years. Michigan has to replace its quarterback JJ McCarthy, most of its offensive line and several other contributors, but there is enough talent returning to be a factor in the Big Ten again. New coach Sherrone Moore must choose a starting quarterback – Alex Orji is a double threat option, while Jack Tuttle is the most experienced and Davis Warren may have the strongest arm. Expect Michigan to rely heavily on congestion Donovan Edwards and tight ends Colston Loveland It is Marlin Klein. Left tackle Myles Hinton is the only returning starter up front; Northwest Transfer Josh Priebe was working at left guard in the spring. The defense returns five starters, including star tackles Kenneth Grant It is Mason Graham and All-America cornerback Will Johnson. Michigan signed transfer cornerback Aamir Salon (Albany) to compete for the other cornerback spot. The Wolverines play Texas at home in Week 2 and face a Big Ten challenge that includes home games against USC and Oregon and road contests at Washington State and Ohio.
The big news for Michigan is obviously the schedule. But given that the defense returns three players who are projected to be first-round picks in the 2025 NFL draft, if Sherrone Moore can push the right buttons on offense and find a competent signal-caller, there’s a solid chance that the Wolverines can at least least make a deep playoff run.
