Defending nationwide champion Michigan faces a season of excessive expectations and thrilling matchups.
Regardless of shedding standout RB Blake Corum (Los Angeles Rams), QB J.J. McCarthy (Minnesota Vikings) and head coach Jim Harbaugh (Los Angeles Chargers) to the NFL, the Wolverines intention to keep up their dominance beneath new head coach Sherrone Moore.
Moore served as Michigan’s offensive coordinator, in addition to its interim head coach throughout Harbaugh’s suspension final season, main the group to an ideal 4-0 document in these video games.
Listed below are the three most anticipated Michigan video games, ranked in inverse order:
3. Vs. Oregon, Nov. 2
This matchup in opposition to the Oregon Geese, who’re embarking on their inaugural season within the Massive Ten, guarantees to be a thriller. These faculties have performed one another 5 occasions, with Michigan main the sequence 3-2. The final assembly, received by Oregon 39-7, got here in 2007.
Oregon’s impressive transfer portal success, highlighted by the addition of quarterback Dillon Gabriel from Oklahoma, makes it formidable.
Michigan’s protection, the very best within the nation final season (247 YPG), will face a stern take a look at in opposition to Gabriel and the Geese’ explosive offense.
2. Vs. Texas, Sept. 7
In what guarantees to be a marquee non-conference conflict, Michigan faces Texas, a group it has solely met as soon as, in 2005.
The introduction of the 12-team Faculty Soccer Playoff format implies that each out-of-conference sport that includes playoff hopefuls comparable to these two could have important implications.
Texas, led by star quarterback Quinn Ewers, boasts a high-powered offense (ninth in 2023 at 477.5 YPG). Michigan’s protection returns 4 starters from final season.
1. At Ohio State, Nov. 30
No record of anticipated Michigan video games can be full with out mentioning its annual conflict in opposition to Ohio State.
Michigan leads the all-time sequence 61-51-6 and has dominated latest encounters, together with a 30-24 victory final season.
Ohio State, a perennial nationwide championship contender, has supplemented a powerful recruiting class with notable additions in the transfer portal, together with former Alabama security Caleb Downs and former Kansas State QB Will Howard.
Head coach Ryan Day has struggled in opposition to Michigan (1-3) and shall be keen to show the tide. This sport, the regular-season finale, may have large implications for each groups’ playoff hopes and the Massive Ten race.