The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1536962
120 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2025 FOOTBALL PREVIEW OPPONENT OVERVIEW OPPONENT OVERVIEW BY CLAYTON SAYFIE BY CLAYTON SAYFIE 1. Ohio State — Michigan has beaten Ohio State in four straight seasons, and while there were lopsided final scores in 2021 (42-27) and 2022 (45-23), it's been anything but easy. The defending national champion Buckeyes have the most talent U-M will face all season, with five preseason All-America picks per Athlon and Lindy's, and they're dying to turn the tide in this rivalry. 2. Oklahoma — The Wolverines' first-ever trip to Norman comes in the second week of the season, and that poses some challenges. This might be freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood's second overall and first road start — less than a month after he turns 18 years old. The Maize and Blue struggled in the second game last season and didn't find their footing until late in the year. They'll have to get on track earlier if they want to compete for a College Football Playoff spot, starting with the Sept. 6 night game at Oklahoma. 3. USC — Michigan has lost five straight road games against Pac-12 programs or former members of that conference, including last season's 27-17 setback at Washington. The Wolverines haven't won a regular-season road game on the West Coast since 1989, in fact — and that win was a doozy, with U-M recovering an onside kick before J.D. Carlson booted the game-winning field goal. USC may be much improved as a team, too. The Trojans have made a concerted effort to beef up both lines, the defense made strides last season and the offense has weapons. 4. Nebraska — The Cornhuskers have made changes to the coaching staff, but quarterback Dylan Raiola is back for his sophomore season, and he finally has a good receiving corps to target. Nebraska spent big at premium posi- tions in the NCAA transfer portal. Michigan dominated the Cornhuskers in Lincoln in 2023 but was fortunate to come away on top in 2021, playing amidst a raucous atmosphere. 5. Wisconsin — The Oct. 4 game against Wis- consin figures to be the second-toughest home tilt of the season. The Badgers are ditching the air raid and getting back to basics offensively, and the defensive line should be much im- proved due to solid transfer additions. Head coach Luke Fickell, who's facing a lot of pres- sure, may not have a team with a great record at the end of the year — their schedule is bru- tal — but it could still be a formidable group. Michigan's Five Toughest Games Michigan will travel to Norman, Okla., to face Oklahoma for only the second time in program history. The Sooners won the only previous meeting, 14-6, in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 1976, in Miami, propelling them to the nation- al championship. PHOTO COURTESY OKLAHOMA ATHLETICS USC junior wideout Makai Lemon made 52 catches for a team-high 764 yards and 3 touchdowns a year ago while also averaging 27.1 yards per kick return. He earned All-Big Ten honorable mention as a receiver and third-team honors as a return specialist. PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER