ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football is ranked No. 9 in the preseason AP poll coming off its undefeated national championship season.
The 2023 season felt like the end of an era for the Wolverines, who went 40-3 over a three-year span with three Big Ten titles, three wins over Ohio State, and three appearances in the College Football Playoff.
That stretch culminated with the best season in program history: a 15-0 record capped by wins over Alabama in the Rose Bowl semifinal and unbeaten Washington in the national title game.
Now, Michigan faces a bit of a reset. Jim Harbaugh and most of his coaching staff left for the Los Angeles Chargers, and a slew of veteran leaders moved on to the NFL.
The Wolverines have to replace quarterback J.J. McCarthy, running back Blake Corum, wide receivers Cornelius Johnson and Roman Wilson, tight end A.J. Barner, and offensive linemen Zak Zinter, Trevor Keegan, Trente Jones, Drake Nugent, LaDarius Henderson, and Karsen Barnhart on offense.
Defensively, Michigan lost linebackers Michael Barrett and Junior Colson, defensive backs Mike Sainristil, Josh Wallace, and Keon Sabb, as well as defensive linemen Kris Jenkins, Jaylen Harrell, Braiden McGregor, and Cam Goode. Rod Moore is also expected to miss the season due to injury.
Still, voters showed the defending champs some respect in the preseason polls, as Michigan landed in the top 10 for both the coaches and the AP.
New head coach Sherrone Moore has plenty of talent left to work with, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant are back to form an elite defensive tackle duo, and Josiah Stewart and Derrick Moore will be on the edges.
Cornerback Will Johnson is one of the best players in the nation, and he’s joined by Makari Paige in the secondary.
On offense, Michigan has questions at quarterback, wide receiver, and the offensive line, but it helps to have two elite returning playmakers in Colston Loveland and Donovan Edwards.
This year, Michigan will aim to finish ranked inside the top 11 of the final rankings to earn a spot in the new 12-team playoff field.
That won’t be easy with the likes of No. 4 Texas, No. 23 USC, Washington, No. 3 Oregon, and No. 2 Ohio State on the schedule. But Michigan can give itself a chance with at least nine victories.