While Michigan fell back down to Earth in the first year of the Sherrone Moore era, a late surge gave the Wolverines about as much positive momentum as any team in the country entering the offseason. After a couple of early marquee victories in Moore’s tenure and the landmark recruiting win to pull No. 1 overall prospect Bryce Underwood to Ann Arbor, there is reason to believe that this is once again a playoff-caliber operation. Expert Sam Webb from The Michigan Insider joined Bud Elliott on the Cover 3 College Football Summer School series to preview expectations for the Wolverines this fall.
What are the stakes for Michigan in 2025?
Michigan’s defense of its 2023 national championship was underwhelming. This may not be the year that the program returns to the mountaintop, either, given the youth at quarterback and the need to replace a bevy of draft picks, including three first-rounders. But that does not mean the Wolverines will limp their way through a rebuilding year. Underwood has the potential to dazzle as a true freshman, and a defense that features Jaishawn Barham, Zeke Berry, Jyaire Hill and other rising standouts should be capable of at least keeping Michigan in the national conversation while it loads up for the future.
“I think it’s a year where you build,” Webb said. “The notion that they are going to come out and really go through this season unscathed and be a national championship, Big Ten championship team, it’s hard for me to see that with a true freshman that you’re going to have to grow up. I do see them being a playoff contender.”
Under the assumption that the defense remains a top-flight unit, Michigan’s ceiling will be a product of how well Underwood settles in under center and whether his supporting cast is any better than…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/michigan-football-2025-win-total-cfp-outlook-and-dawn-of-the-bryce-underwood-era/
Author : Carter Bahns
Publish date : 2025-07-15 13:08:00
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