The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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8 THE WOLVERINE ❱ JANUARY 2025 S herrone Moore will trot a d ra m a t i ca l ly d i f fe r- ent football team onto the Michigan Stadium turf next Aug. 30 against New Mexico. He'll be armed with solid core of veteran returners, starting line- ups peppered with accomplished performers via the transfer por- tal, and a top-10 recruiting class headlined by the No. 1 incoming freshman in the nation — quar- terback Bryce Underwood. Moore found himself caught short on weapons in many ways this season, following his Jan. 26 hiring as head coach. He's work- ing furiously in a high-stakes process to ensure that won't happen again. Prediction: beginning in 2025, Michigan will start another string of College Football Playoff appearances that will match or exceed the one washed away by this season's roster-change tsunami. The Wolverines — and their backers — aren't playing around. The reasons for tangible optimism here are as obvious as Mason Graham and his teammates "slapping Ohio State around" for years now. (Those are Gra- ham's pointed words, straight from one of the best defensive tackles to ever don a winged helmet). The reasons include … • The clear proof that Michigan foot- ball stands ready to play the game as it's presently constructed, regarding NIL and the transfer portal, and has the backing to do so from the top down. Underwood and what the Wolverines are about to execute in the portal (with football general manager Sean Magee steering that ship) will leave no doubt. • Moore had committed to making quick changes to get what he wants, sooner rather than later. The switch to former North Carolina offensive co- ordinator Chip Lindsey sends a clear signal that the "meritocracy" of which Moore's predecessor spoke remains strong. • The head coach's ability to take a 20-point underdog Michigan team into Columbus and win shocked the college football world — but not Moore. He had experienced beating the Buckeyes as an interim head coach before getting the full-time job. He's been an integral part of a crew that won at Ohio State. He went into this year's showdown not awed, scared or even slightly intimi- dated. And his team played like it. When told everyone said his team had no chance in that game — zero — Moore looked as stunned as Ohio State fans at the end of the contest. That sort of doubt never entered his mind. "I didn't even know what you know," Moore said. "I have zero clue about any of that. I'm locked in the office and then Schembechler Hall most of the time. [Michigan athletics director] Warde [Manuel] told me I can't sleep there anymore. I was completely focused on our team and our coaches. I wasn't thinking about anything else. I was just worried about winning the game. We're just going to go about it like that." He's going to go about it in 2025 with a much more talented roster, especially offensively. He's going to go about it with a schedule that doesn't include Texas and Oregon in the regular season. The slate does feature a nonconference showdown in Norman, Okla. — and probably shouldn't. Just ask Alabama what losing a game there can do to your playoff chances in a CFP world more interested in fewer losses than tougher foes. Regardless, the Wolverines will be infinitely better equipped to tackle 2025 than they were to face an over-scheduled 2024. O bv i o u s ly, o n e ga m e re - mains. It's a glorified scrim- mage against an Alabama team that Michigan fans should hope comes in more disinterested than angry, after missing the College Football Playoff. The Wolverines in 2024 were a shell of what they were in 2023, roster- wise. Now, the bowl crew marks a shell of the regular-season roster. Graham, cornerback Will Johnson and tight end Colston Loveland already declared for the NFL Draft, and running back Dono- van Edwards won't play, after suffering an injury against the Buckeyes. Some have entered the portal, and more will no doubt beg off before game day. No matter, except to young hope- fuls like freshman running back Jordan Marshall, by all accounts the Wolver- ines' next dynamic rusher. They'll get an early opportunity to show what they might do in the bounce-back season. Marshall, the combination of Under- wood and an accomplished veteran QB, lanky, experienced wide receivers, and a restocked offensive line could come close to doubling Michigan's 22.3 scor- ing average this season. With a 12-team College Football Play- off, it's CFP or bust. Eight months from now, the Wolverines plan to be busting loose. ❏ WOLVERINE WATCH ❱ JOHN BORTON U-M Is On The Ascent — Rapidly Head coach Sherrone Moore's Wolverines are benefiting from Michigan's commitment to fully taking advantage of the new world of college football. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Senior writer John Borton has been with The Wolverine since 1991. Contact him at jborton@thewolverine.com and follow him on X (Twitter) @JB_Wolverine.