ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Michigan Wolverines are on the brink of becoming the worst defending national champion in the College Football Playoff history.
Through 10 games, Team 145 has been a brutal ride for Michigan fans.
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What was once a promising season with hopes of repeating or at least making the expansion 12-team College Football Playoff has transitioned into desperate hopes of making a measly bowl game.
The men in maize are heading into Senior Day inside the Big House with a 5-5 record, where they will take on the Northwestern Wildcats in the battle of the George Jewett Trophy.
With a victory, Michigan will reach the six-win mark, making them eligible for a bowl game. However, Michigan fans have been in this position before.
In 2009, the Wolverines looked to bounce back from one of its worst years, coming off a 3-9 regular season.
In fact, they just did that as they started the season undefeated through their first four games, but they went 1-7 over their next eight games.
The 2014 season was more reminiscent of the 2024 season, as the Wolverines had the Maryland Terrapins at home for Senior Day.
Fans were expecting to get their bow game travels ready, as they were expected to take care of them, but instead, they lost 23-16 and went to Ohio State, where they fell 42-28 to end the season with a 7-5 record.
The Wolverines are expected to beat the Wildcats this weekend in front of their home fans. The Wildcats are 4-6 overall and 2-5 in the conference.
If Michigan loses as they did, not only will the fans who are already not that enthused with the program lose their minds, but they will also be one loss away from having the worst record as a reigning champion.
| Year | Team | Record | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | TCU | 3-7 | .300 |
| 1943 | Ohio State | 3-6 | .333 |
| 2020 | LSU | 5-5 | .500 |
| 1950 | Notre Dame | 4-4-1 | .500 |
| 2024 | Michigan | 5-5 | .500 |
| 1942 | Minnesota | 5-4 | .556 |
The program has a lot of buzz heading into the game as they’ve flipped No. 1 recruit Bryce Underwood and four-star athlete Elijah Dotson this week.
A win on Saturday would give both players an early start to their collegiate careers.
The Wolverines would have extra practices for bowl season, especially if they sign early in December.
A win on Saturday would give both players an early start to their collegiate careers.
The Wolverines would have extra practices for bowl season, especially if they sign early in December.
If they drop the game like the 2014 team did, they’ll be the worst national champion in the College Football Playoff era as they’ll be expected to fall under .500.
They’ll be heading into The Game with Ohio State with a 5-6 record, with the possibility of falling to 5-7 on the season.
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