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Michigan tabbed as potential rebound candidate, per ESPN analyst
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Michigan did not have the kind of season it was hoping for during the first year of Sherrone Moore leading the program. However, just 2 years removed from a national title, the Wolverines could be poised for a rebound season this fall.
ESPN’s Bill Connelly compiled a list of his favorite picks to rebound from a stumble in 2024, and Michigan was included after going 8-5 last season. The SP+ system that Connelly devised projected the Wolverines at 9.8 wins this spring, mainly on the fact that the quarterback position should be greatly stabilized under Fresno State transfer Mikey Keane and 5-star freshman Bryce Underwood.
Here’s what Connelly had to say about Michigan’s rebound potential:
Seeing Michigan projected 10th overall (in SP+) was a bit concerning, as the offense still has loads of questions. But I’d be surprised if the Wolverines didn’t have a top-10 defense, and the schedule features only one projected top-15 team, per SP+. And they won eight games and beat Ohio State and Alabama while getting almost nothing from the QB. Even if Underwood isn’t ready to lead a CFP team yet, a return to 9-3 or so and occasional actual passing yardage don’t seem like too much to ask.
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Last season, Michigan was still among the top defenses in the entire country, coming in 19th nationally while surrendering 19.9 points per game. The problem was an anemic offense that managed just 22 points per game, a mark that was 113th nationally, while managing to reach 24+ points just 6 times.
While a single position is never the ultimate cause for a team’s downfall, it’s hard not to pin Michigan’s 2024 deficiencies on the quarterback position. Davis Warren, Alex Orji and Jack Tuttle all took turns under center, but none of that group ever blossomed.
As a whole, the QB unit barely eclipsed 1,600 passing yards and threw more interceptions than touchdowns. (13 interceptions to 11 touchdowns.) With improved QB play, the Wolverines should back in the mix to win at a higher level than last season.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.