The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2025 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 85 going to show. This team is just hungry." Leading the way, in hunger and pro- duction, should be the men up front. Moore's putting his chips on Michigan's front seven, which looks deep, talented and ready to get after everyone the way the Wolverines played nutcracker in Co- lumbus and turned the Tide to finish the season. "Our D-line will be the strongest part of this defense," he vowed. "The reason I say that is that it starts with us. Every- thing starts with us, offense and defense, at the line of scrimmage. We've got guys going from the first group, second group, all the way to third group — we've just got guys ready to go. We look dominant together as a unit. We're going to be the best defensive line in the country this year, because of how hungry we are." He's also convinced Michigan will present a more balanced threat this sea- son. The Wolverines struggled mightily at times on offense last year, scoring only 22 points per game. That's not going to happen again, he assured. Moore — like many Wolverines — sounds sold on freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood. His athleticism, throwing ability, poise and maturity should all impact early, combining with moves forward in other areas, according to those who put the heat on him in prac- tice every day. "They look way better," Moore said of the offense. "We've got a great quarter- back who can throw the ball. He's just been looking great, especially being a freshman. He's been able to do a lot with his body. He is looking like a pro. The of- fensive line is coming together as a unit. They're starting to look way better than last year. "We've got probably the two best run- ning backs in the country. That's going to be the best duo in college football next year. We've got tight ends that can pass block and run routes and catch. They're dawgs in the tight end room. And we've got receivers who can go and get the ball. This is going to be an elite offense going into this year. They're going to get back to blowing teams out and seeing the end zone a lot this year." A Life-Changing Experience They'll get a chance to show it early on, heading to Norman, Okla., to take on the Sooners. Moore will be geared up for that one, without question. He originally committed to play for the Sooners back during his high school recruitment, prior to changes in the Oklahoma staff. Coming out of St. Frances Academy in his hometown of Baltimore, Moore fixed his mind on donning very different colors than he's wearing these days. Instead, when head coach Lincoln Riley moved on from Oklahoma to USC, Moore found himself looking for another school. Meanwhile, his old coach sought him out. Biff Poggi, Michigan's current associ- ate head coach, came to Michigan first under Jim Harbaugh. Poggi didn't hesi- tate when he learned one of his former standouts went back on the market. Moore recalled: "He called me and told me, 'D., I heard you decommitted. I want you to come up here. When you come up here, you're not going to want to leave.' We laughed about it, and I said, 'We'll see.' I came up here and felt like it was home. I had a couple of my former teammates — Blake Corum and Nikhai Hill-Green — here at the time. I also had Coach Poggi. I just felt like it was the place for me. "It's a great school for academics. We've got a great and big alumni system that really supports us well. I talked to my mom, and we sat down and talked about where I'd feel like I should be. I came here, and I don't regret it at all. Michigan was the best thing for me. It helped me to grow as a man outside of football. It taught me a lot of lessons about life. It definitely helped me change my life." Pressed on that change, Moore admits he wasn't used to socializing, speaking publicly, etc. All of that changed when he arrived in Ann Arbor, not only joining the crew in the Michigan football fishbowl, but meeting older teammates and those in the sprawling university setting who made a big impact. "Coming in, being a kid from Balti- more, I wasn't a social person," he said. "I was always to myself, and I really didn't like being around people. The older guys built that connection with me, without forcing me or anything like that. They knew I wasn't much of a social guy, but they'd hang out with me, get me out of the house and do a lot. And the coaches found ways to get me out of my shell. "They were the ones to help me break that shell. They helped me get out and be social with people. Now, I can get up and talk to many alumni. I can do intern- ships, and go in and ask questions. It's helped me be social and just connect with people." He's looking to connect with people this fall, but not necessarily in a friendly manner. He'd like to get together with some of his very best friends and meet at the opposing quarterback — time after time. "Personally, I want to be the best me, coming out of college football this year," Moore said. "As far as team goals, it's just dominating everyone who comes in front of us this year. It's going undefeated and win- ning another national championship." ❑ Consecutive Wins Vs. OSU 9 — 1901-1909 6 — 1922-1927 4 — 1945-1948, 1988-1991, 2021-2024 Undefeated Streaks Vs. OSU 15 — 1897-1918 7 — 1942-1951 6 — 1922-1927, 1988-1993 — John Borton A Shot At 100-Year History Michigan veterans can etch their names into the history books come Nov. 29. They'll run down the Michigan Stadium tunnel, touch the banner and face down Ohio State, with a chance to record a fifth consecutive victory against the Buckeyes. Senior edge rusher Derrick Moore wasn't around for the first in the streak, in 2021, but he's factored into the 3-0 record since. Five straight Michigan wins in the series hasn't happened since the years leading up to the construction of The Big House in its original configuration, back in 1927. The Wolverines ran off six wins against Ohio State from 1922-27, and haven't secured five straight since — at least not without a tie thrown in. Here are the Michigan streaks versus the Buckeyes that the Wolverines can move up on with another win this fall: