Michigan Wolverines 2024: How Will the Season Play Out?

The Michigan Wolverines are coming off a season where they won their first national championship since 1997 and third straight Big 10 Conference title. But last season was clouded in controversy after facing NCAA investigations for two different infractions. Team 145 has several questions to answer after a busy offseason.

Former head coach Jim Harbaugh left and took many coaches with him. Michigan lost its starting quarterback, top running back, top two wide receivers, and all five starting offensive linemen from a year ago. Saying Team 145 will look different could be an understatement.

The Wolverines kept some continuity by hiring Sherrone Moore as their new head coach. Moore was Harbaugh's offensive coordinator last season. He also was interim head coach for four of six games Harbaugh was suspended from a year ago. Moore added seven new coaches in 2024. They include defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, running backs coach Tony Alford and special teams coach J.B Brown. Also, tight ends coach Steve Casula, linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary, defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan and defensive line coach Lou Esposito.

After going 15-0 last season, Michigan tries to run it back. But it will be hard to stay perfect again. The Wolverines' season comes down to seeing if they can find their quarterback. If they can do so, then Michigan should be back in the College Football Playoff.

Week 1: Fresno State Bulldogs

Michigan opens up with a Week One trap game. With Texas looming next, the Wolverines better not look ahead or this could be another Appalachian State. Moore will point that out before the game kicks off under the lights at the Big House.

This game will be closer than people think. Moore will look to get his passing game going with his QB1. Michigan will pass more than fans have become used to in past seasons. Michigan will win 31-24.

Record: 1-0

Week 2: Texas Longhorns

Michigan welcomes Texas to Michigan Stadium for the first time. It's just the second time these two programs have met. Texas won a Rose Bowl contest, 38-37 back in 2005. This meeting of two Top 10 teams could have CFP implications. Thanks to the new 12-team format, whoever loses will have plenty of games to make up for the loss.

Michigan will look similar to last season and keep the ball on the ground. Thanks to uncertainty at quarterback, the Wolverines will look to Donovan Edwards to make some big plays out of the backfield. If Michigan can keep Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers on the bench, and get a few big plays out of their young wide receiver, then Michigan could pull off the upset. But Texas wins 28-24.

Record: 1-1

Week 3: Arkansas State Red Wolves

Michigan plays Arkansas State for the very first time and at home. This is yet another trap game for the Wolverines. After losing to Texas, Moore will have his team focused and not allow them to look ahead to USC. Michigan opens up its offense starts as its quarterback becomes more comfortable in offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell's offense. Michigan wins 38-10.

Record: 2-1

Week 4: USC Trojans

USC heads to the Big House for the first time as a Big Ten Conference member. Michigan and USC have met 10 times with USC leading 6-4. This game opens up B1G play for the Wolverines, who will be looking to build from the year before.

Michigan exploits USC's run defense, leaning on Edwards again to carry the offense. Defensive back Will Johnson makes a few big plays with his feet on offense for the Wolverines. The defense holds USC's offense at bay. Michigan’s Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant and Josaiah Stewart make it a long day for USC starting quarterback Miller Moss. Michigan wins 34-20.

Record: 3-1 (1-0 Big Ten )

Week 5: Minnesota Golden Gophers

Michigan welcomes in Minnesota for the Little Brown Jug contest. It will be the 105th meeting between the two schools with Michigan up 77-25-3. The Wolverines have a four-game winning streak going in this series. The last time that the Golden Gophers won was in September 2014.

Michigan wins this game on defense, holding Minnesota under 10 points. Like the USC game, Graham and Grant prove to be too much.

\Will Johnson gets into the act with an interception for a touchdown. Michigan wins 38-6.

Record: Michigan 4-1 (2-0 Big Ten)

Week 6: at Washington Huskies

Michigan leaves home for the first time and heads to Seattle for a national championship rematch. It's the 16th time these two programs meet. The Wolverines have a 10-5 series record and have won the last three games.

Michigan and Washington will look like two very different teams from when they met in January. The only problem for Washington is that Edwards is still on the team. He does it again to the Huskies, rushing for over 200 yards. Johnson puts together another good game on offense and is now becoming a

weapon there, too. Michigan wins 41-17.

Record: 5-1 (3-0 Big Ten)

Week 7: at Illinois Fighting Illini

Michigan stays on the road for the second straight week. It heads heads to Champaign, Ill., for the first time since 2019. It's the 97th time these two programs will meet. Michigan holds a 72-23-2 record with a six-game winning streak.

Michigan does what it has done all season: run the ball. This time, Kalel Mullings leads the way with over 150 yards and 3 touchdowns. Michigan's defense holds the Fighting Illini to just three points. Michigan wins 24-3.

Record: 6-1 (4-0 Big Ten)

Week 8: Michigan State Spartans

The Backyard Brawl between Michigan State and Michigan will take place for the 117 time. Michigan is riding a two-game win streak and beat the Spartans 49-0 last season. The Wolverines hold a 73-38-5 record over their in-state rivals. Moore and new MSU head coach Jonathan Smith will look to put their mark on the rivalry. This is a rivalry that, over the years, has proven that anything can happen.

MSU was picked to finish close to the bottom of the B1G. But it could give their fans a ton to cheer about if they could pull the upset. Fortunately for Michigan fans, Smith doesn’t get it done. The Wolverines use their passing game to win with Tyler Morris and Amorion Walker having big games. Michigan wins 28-10.

Record: 7-1 (5-0 Big Ten)

Week 9: Oregon Ducks

The Oregon Ducks will play Michigan for only the fifth time. But this is their first clash as Big Ten members. In the five times both teams have played, Michigan holds a 3-2 lead. The Ducks have won two straight, including their last matchup in 2007. It was a 39-7 Oregon win.

This game should come down to QB play. Unfortunately for Michigan, the Ducks have the better one in this game. But Johnson shows why his name is being mentioned as a Heisman Trophy candidate. Dillon Gabriel will try to lead the Ducks on a victorious scoring drive. But Michigan's defense comes up big and forces the Ducks to turn the ball over on downs. Michigan wins 24-20.

Record: 8-1 (6-0 Big Ten)

Week 10: at Indiana Hoosiers

After a big win, Michigan travels to Indiana. These two teams have met 68 times with the Wolverines up 58-10. Michigan goes to Bloomington with a three-game winning streak and are 27-1 since 1988. The Wolverines' defense has not given up more than 10 points against Indiana in their last three matchups.

Michigan continues its dominance in this series. The Wolverines' offensive line shows they are a strength again. Michigan TE Colston Loveland has another big game and shows why he could be an NFL Draft first-round pick. The defense does it again against the Hoosiers by keeping them under 10 points. Michigan wins 28-3.

Record: 9-1 (7-0 Big Ten)

Week 11: Northwestern Wildcats

This will be the 71st time Northwestern and Michigan face each other. The Wolverines hold a 55-13-2 record overall. Northwestern's last win in the series came in 2008 at the Big House. The Wildcats will be looking to snap a seven-game losing streak in this trap game for the Wolverines.

Northwestern doesn’t have the talent yet to compete with the top teams in the Big Ten. Michigan's defense keeps the Wildcats out of the end zone, and the offense puts points up on Senior Day. The Wolverines get the win in this one, 37-6.

Record: 10-1 (8-0 Big Ten)

Week 12: at Ohio State Buckeyes

Known as “The Game,” this is one of the season's most anticipated matchups each year. For Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, excuses are out and this is a must-win game. Michigan has won the last three games against the Buckeyes. The Wolverines hold the all-time record at 61-51-6. That's something Michigan fans love to point out to their rival.

Michigan heads to Columbus this year. Unlike 2022, though, it doesn't head back to Ann Arbor with the win. Michigan lost too much and Ohio State got so much back this season. Ohio State's WR proved to be just too much in this one, scoring four times. OSU QB Will Howard also scores a TD in the game using his feet to help secure the win. The Buckeyes win 35-24.

Record: Michigan 10-2 (8-1 Big Ten)

Michigan Overview

Michigan will finish the regular season 10-2, 8-1 in B1G play. Thanks to tiebreaking rules, Michigan misses out on playing in the Big Ten Championship game and a rematch against Ohio State. The Wolverines make their fourth straight College Football Playoff appearance. They match up with Alabama for a rematch of the Rose Bowl. For Michigan to lose key players and make the CFP again makes the season a success. Also, the fact that Moore was able to keep the winning train rolling assures Michigan fans that the right man was hired for the job.