Top 25 in 25: Michigan Football Season Preview

Photo Courtesy of Michigan Photography

We’re counting down the final 25 days before the college football season by previewing every one of our preseason top 25 teams! With 11 days left until week zero, we continue our previews with my No. 11 team in the country – the Michigan Wolverines.

Like this content? Subscribe at the bottom of this page!

Projected Record: 9-3 (7-2)

Ceiling/Floor: 11-1/7-5

Projected Wins: New Mexico, Central Michigan, Wisconsin, Washington, Michigan State, Purdue, Northwestern, Maryland, Ohio State

Projected Losses: Oklahoma, Nebraska, USC

Most Intriguing Game: Ohio State (Week 14)

Michigan will be one of the more interesting teams to watch in 2025. After putting together one of the best seasons of all time, going 15-0 and winning a national title in 2023, the Wolverines had an underwhelming 2024 campaign, going just 8-5 in year one under head coach Sherrone Moore. However, they finished the season strong by beating Ohio State and Alabama; and with five-star true-freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood likely taking over the starting job in 2025 and key portal additions, there’s a lot of buzz around what this Michigan team could do in the fall.

The Wolverines were likely just a good passing game away from being great again last season, but as it stood, the team went through a QB carousel trying to find the right guy, but to no avail, finishing outside the top 100 in adjusted yards per pass. That’s why Underwood will likely be one of the most impactful players in the country this season, one way or another. I’m high on him though from what I’ve seen up to this point, hence why I have Michigan near the top 10 to start the season. Elsewhere on the offense, Jordan Marshall and Justice Haynes should provide a solid one-two punch for the always-strong Michigan running game, and the offensive line should be as good as ever. The wide receiver room will have to step up a little from a year ago to help Underwood though, and they’ll have to find someone to be the go-to guy in a room full of unproven talent.

Michigan’s defense was still borderline top 10 last season, but they lost star players Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant and Will Johnson. However, the defense should still be among the nation’s best under coordinator Wink Martindale. The secondary should be elite again, despite the loss of Johnson, and they’ll get safety Rod Moore back who missed all of last season due to injury. The front seven should be great again too, but their defensive line depth may be a little questionable.

Overall, I think the Wolverines should be much improved from the team we saw a year ago, as long as Underwood doesn’t flop in his true-freshman season. Two things are for certain – The week two date with Oklahoma will be must-watch TV and a huge swing game, and I’ll be picking them to beat Ohio State until the Buckeyes can prove otherwise.

Like this content? Subscribe below!