The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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120 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2024 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 1. Ohio State — Michigan has beaten the Buckeyes three straight times, including in Columbus in 2022, but it's hard to win at The 'Shoe. The Wolverines have done so just once since 2000 and needed a great performance to pull it off. OSU is 29-2 at the venue under head man Ryan Day, and the Buck- eyes have an elite roster returning, too, thanks to a desperate crop of boosters who ponied up and a determined group of players. 2. Texas — The Longhorns made the College Foot- ball Playoff for the first time last season and bring back quarterback Quinn Ewers, a projected Heisman Trophy candidate, in Year 1 in the SEC. While they lost some weapons and had to build up their arsenal through the transfer portal, they might have more of an identity on Sept. 7 than Michigan, which will be breaking in new pieces all over its offense in Week 2. 3. Oregon — The Nov. 2 showdown in Ann Arbor will set the stage for the Big Ten race in the final weeks of the regular season. The Ducks brought in Oklahoma quarterback transfer Dillon Gabriel and have loaded up with talent under head man Dan Lanning. 4. Washington — The Huskies will look and feel completely different than they did Jan. 8 in the national title game against Michigan, but they're still expected to contend for a playoff berth in their first year under Jedd Fisch. The new head coach (and former U-M assistant) brought 12 transfers with him from Arizona and has a proven quarterback in Will Rogers. Michigan hasn't won a road game at a (former) Pac-12 opponent since 1989 at UCLA, los- ing four in a row since. Washington is now in the Big Ten, obviously, but it's hard to win out West. U-M will have to work for an Oct. 5 victory in Seattle. 5. USC — The Trojans lose a lot on offense, but head coach Lincoln Riley is as good as they come at guiding teams that put up points. The defense is expected to improve with D'Anton Lynn as the coordinator. If it's at least adequate, that's a game- changer for USC, which could compete at the top of the Big Ten in its first year. Michigan's Five Toughest Games 2024 Opponents In 1-134 Rankings Team Athlon Lindy's Avg.^ Ohio State 2 2 2 Texas 4 3 3.5 Oregon 3 4 3.5 USC 22 26 24 Washington 42 39 40.5 Michigan State 58 51 54.5 Minnesota 55 55 55 Northwestern 65 52 58.5 Illinois 60 65 62.5 Indiana 71 71 71 Fresno State 62 81 71.5 Arkansas State 88 109 98.5 ^ Average of the rankings provided OPPONENT OVERVIEW OPPONENT OVERVIEW BY CLAYTON SAYFIE BY CLAYTON SAYFIE Schedule Breakdown 2024 SP+ Returning Previous Opponent 2023 Record Ranking Starters (Out of 24) Opponent Fresno State 9-4 57 14 — Texas 12-2 4 12 Colorado State Arkansas State 6-7 90 15 Tulsa USC 8-5 21 10 Utah State Minnesota 6-7 45 16 Iowa Washington 14-1 35 4 Rutgers Illinois 5-7 66 11 Purdue Michigan State 4-8 82 11 Iowa Oregon 12-2 3 11 Illinois Indiana 3-9 85 9 Michigan State Northwestern 8-5 74 15 Ohio State Ohio State 11-2 2 15 Indiana Opponent Position Groups Ranked Among The Nation's Best Athlon Sports ranks the best position groups nationally every year in its annual preseason magazine. Here's where U-M foes from the 2024 slate checked in: Ohio State No. 1 running backs, No. 1 defensive line, No. 1 defensive backs, No. 2 wide receivers, No. 3 quarterbacks, No. 7 linebackers, No. 10 offen- sive line Oregon No. 1 wide receivers, No. 4 quarterbacks, No. 4 offensive line, No. 6 linebackers, No. 8 defensive backs Texas No. 1 quarterbacks, No. 3 offensive line, No. 5 running backs, No. 5 wide receivers, No. 10 defensive line USC No. 10 wide receivers One year after beating Washington 34-13 in the CFP championship game, Michigan will travel to Seattle for a rematch at historic Husky Stadium Oct. 5 in what will be the first Big Ten Conference meeting between the two teams. PHOTO COURTESY WASHINGTON ATHLETICS