Fresh off a national championship, the Michigan Wolverines have a plethora of questions to answer for the 2024 season. Gone is Jim Harbaugh, but Sherrone Moore looks like he is capable of stepping in fairly seamlessly. Moore did an admiral job filling in during Harbaugh’s multiple suspensions last season. While there are some questions surrounding Moore and his ability to handle the permanent position in Ann Arbor, he is one of the lesser concerns for the Wolverines.
Michigan Wolverines: Rebuilding or Reloading Season?
The biggest questions revolve around the offensive personnel. The quartet of JJ McCarthy, Blake Corum, Roman Wilson, and Cornelius Johnson have departed. Alex Orji is expected to replace McCarthy at quarterback. He is a physical specimen, but it is unknown if he is the solution.
Blake Corum will be the most missed. The Michigan Wolverines relied heavily on the run game during Jim Harbaugh’s tenure, and Corum was THE GUY over the last several seasons. Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings will attempt to replace Corum’s production. Edwards is a much different type of back but should produce in the passing game a bit more.
With Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson gone to the NFL, Semaj Morgan looks to be the breakout star in the slot. As a freshman in 2023, Morgan caught 22 passes, with 15 coming in the final seven games. Tight end Colston Loveland is the highest-producing returning threat for the Wolverines. He finished second on the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns last season.
Michigan Wolverines: Easiest Games
Arkansas State Red Wolves (September 14)
The Red Wolves finished 6-7 last season after a loss to Northern Illinois in the Camellia Bowl. Butch Jones has a solid quarterback returning in Jaylen Raynor to go along with a decent wide receiving corps that includes Corey Rucker and Courtney Jackson. However, at the end of the day, the Red Wolves provide the easiest route to a victory for Michigan. As a sandwich game between Texas and USC, Arkansas State shouldn’t be much of a challenge for the Wolverines.
Minnesota Golden Gophers (September 28)
Michigan has a very good run-stuffing defensive front, led by Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham. Minnesota’s bread and butter will be on the ground with Darius Taylor, Sieh Bangura, and Marcus Major. In coming transfer quarterback Max Brosmer will face the toughest test of his career when the Golden Gophers travel to Ann Arbor.
Northwestern Wildcats (November 23)
Transfer quarterback Mike Wright will be on his third team in three years with Northwestern. After beginning his career at Vanderbilt, Wright transferred to Mississippi State last season before moving to Northwestern this offseason. His mobility combined with running back Cam Porter are the only real threats the Wildcats possess.
Michigan Wolverines: Toughest Games
Texas Longhorns (September 7)
The Texas Longhorns will begin their residency in the SEC in 2024, but they have a huge non-conference game in Ann Arbor early in the season. The Wolverines and Longhorns have one of the most important matchups in the 2024 season, as both are expected to make runs to the College Football Playoff.
Texas is a preseason top-five team with loads of offensive talent. Quarterback Quinn Ewers is a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender, and he has an arsenal of weapons at his disposal. Running backs CJ Baxter and Jaydon Blue comprise one of the best backfields in the country. At wide receiver, Isaiah Bond transferred in from Alabama, Matthew Golden transferred from Houston, Silas Bolden transferred from Oregon State, and Johntay Cook is a former five-star recruit who could explode this season.
Oregon Ducks (November 2)
A newcomer to the Big Ten, Oregon is another high-profile national title contender on the Michigan Wolverines schedule in 2024. The Ducks lost Bo Nix, Bucky Irving, and Troy Franklin off their 2023 squad, but they have reloaded via the transfer portal. Dillon Gabriel is among the top five in Heisman Trophy odds. He has transferred to take over for Nix. They also reached out and snagged highly sought-after wide receiver Evan Stewart from Texas A&M.
As Michigan heads down the stretch to finish off its regular season, Oregon provides a major test with playoff implications. Another top five preseason opponent, the Ducks will be looking to make a statement as they enter the Big Ten.
At Ohio State Buckeyes (November 30)
One of the biggest rivalries in all of college football awaits the Michigan Wolverines, as they head to the Horseshoe to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus at season’s end. Michigan has won the last two matchups between the hated rivals, and the Buckeyes are out to stop that streak from going any further.
Ohio State has one of the most talented rosters in the country. They brought in Kansas State transfer quarterback Will Howard to take the place of the departed Kyle McCord. They also grabbed Quinshon Judkins out of the transfer portal to pair with TreVeyon Henderson to form the best backfield in America. Gone is Marvin Harrison Jr, but Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate return, along with Brandon Inniss and incoming five-star freshman Jeremiah Smith.
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Tom has been writing about professional wrestling, college football, NFL, and fantasy football for over a decade and is an avid sports fan. He has been known in the fantasy football industry for his dynasty and devy knowledge, but he is also very versed in betting.
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