After going over 15 years without a Big Ten championship, the Michigan Wolverines have hoisted the trophy in Indianapolis each of the past three seasons. There has been little doubt as to which program has owned the conference since 2021; even without the national championship it would be hard to argue against a 26-1 Big Ten record.
Most of the country is writing off the Wolverines’ chances of making it four straight, with plenty of roster (and coaching) turnover and a potential hangover from last year’s championship run. However, the cupboards are far from bare in Ann Arbor, so do not be surprised to see Michigan fight for the conference yet again this fall.
Michigan’s defense will once again be elite
The Wolverines may have lost a lot of talent this offseason, but on the defensive side, they are still loaded.
Michigan returns several key pieces of its defense, highlighted by defensive lineman Mason Graham and cornerback Will Johnson. Both entering their junior seasons, Graham and Johnson have an opportunity to take their already impressive game to another level. Between Graham and Kenneth Grant, Michigan may have the best defensive tackle duo in college football, with both among the best returning DTs for 2024.
Even though Michigan lost its two starting linebackers, Junior Colson and Michael Barrett, to the NFL, this season’s linebackers can still be dominant. Ernest Hausmann, who transferred from Nebraska last season, and Jaishawn Barham, a transfer from Maryland, can fill the void Colson and Barrett left behind.
In addition, bringing in Wink Martindale will give Michigan the keys to success. As he implements his experienced defensive schemes, the Wolverines can remain an elite, championship-level defense.
Last season Michigan proved how effective its defense was and played a major factor in its finish as national champions. This year the defense certainly has to prove itself, but it certainly has the pieces for another elite defense.
Donovan Edwards and Colston Loveland can bolster the offense
Entering the season, Michigan’s offense is a work in progress, to say the least. Losing running back Blake Corum and wide receivers Cornelius Johnson and Roman Wilson, the gaps in the Wolverines’ offense are glaring. Still, Michigan has key pieces that can help fill those gaps. Namely, Donovan Edwards and Colston Loveland can step up to the challenge.
Edwards is coming off a down season following his impressive sophom*ore year. He took a backseat to Corum in 2023, rushing for just 497 yards — nearly half as many as his 991 yards in 2022 — and has a lot to prove in his senior season. However, Edwards comes into the season with the right mentality to prove critics wrong. In 2023 the mental side of the game served as a major obstacle in Edwards’ game, but he believes that he has overcome that hurdle. Edwards also ended last season on an extremely high note, rushing for the two touchdowns in the National Championship Game.
Loveland will play a major factor in how Michigan’s offense fares this season as well. The Wolverines’ receiver room is deflated this year with Johnson and Wilson’s departures, but Loveland can help supplement that loss. Not only is he one of the best players in Michigan’s offense, but he’s also one of the most elite tight ends in the nation. Last season he had 649 yards and four touchdowns, and this year he has the potential to be even better, especially with the thin receiver corps.
Sherrone Moore and his coaching staff know how to win
Michigan may not have Jim Harbaugh steering the ship anymore, but it still has a coaching staff that knows how to win. With Sherrone Moore taking over at the helm, the Wolverines have a winning coach who has already proven his ability to lead this team. Joining the Michigan coaching staff in 2018 as the tight ends coach, Moore has been a part of the Wolverines’ rise and recent success.
In 2024, Moore spent multiple games acting as Michigan’s head coach with Harbaugh suspended. Now the onus falls on him to retain championship-level status long-term for the Wolverines.
Moore also brought in several new coaches, including running backs coach Tony Alford, Martindale, defensive line coach, tight end coach Steve Casula, and defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan. Between the returning members of Moore’s coaching staff and his new hires, Michigan has the pieces to prove critics wrong and win the Big Ten.
