Why Michigan football could be better than people think in 2024

ESPN has released both the post-spring power rankings as well as Bill Connelly's advanced analytics, SP+, within the past two days and Michigan football doesn't look like it's falling off a ton. Ranked No. 10 in one and No. 6 in the other, there are reasons for optimism in Ann Arbor. We break down what it will take for the Wolverines to excel.
Then, tying into that was Sherrone Moore's comment about how he intends to build out the team. His ideas of everyone pulling in the same direction and finding egoless players should help pay dividends. We break down the difference between his vision, what Michigan has been prior to the turnaround, and other teams.
Also, Moore's comments on building out the defense ties into that. Why Moore hired Wink Martindale and why his style of fielding a team should be beyond beneficial.
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[@SerbianSniper]

Donovan Edwards had so many huge plays the last 2 years.....literal back breakers....yes he was used less...but when he was...WOW

[@paulbeard8573]

Michigan has always been shit on. Let sherrone moore cook.

[@jimmy5634]

“ let him cry…let the tears fall down like rain.” Let the B.S. flow, if it eases all the pain.

[@iRacerJared]

That’s because Michigan gets a lot of hype and then proceeds to fall on its face.

[@johnnywebb2351]

Those days are GONE

[@iRacerJared]

@@johnnywebb2351 We will see Michigan did this in the 90’s but never took steps to maintain an elite level happy to just cling to a championship for 30 years. Honestly this would be the time to write big NIL checks and dominate the next 4 years of recruiting. But Michigan hasn’t done that.

[@johnnywebb2351]

@@iRacerJared agreed 👍🏾

[@iRacerJared]

The one glaring observation about Ohio St guys is how mentally fragile they are. Marv for example is extremely talented but didn’t even put up a fight when Will jumped him. Then when the game was over just sitting on the ground pouting. It seems like some of these elite players don’t know how to handle on field adversity

[@secretasianman2531]

on a buckeye website, one of their fans astutely pointed out how corum spent the entire week before the 2022 game rehabbing and spent the morning of the game getting taped even though it was apparent he wasn't going to be 100%. that fan contrasted that to how osu's injured skill players sauntered in covered in bling and acting like they owned the place. osu collects 5 stars, while we build teams. and that's why we beat them 3 years in a row now.

[@jimmy5634]

@@secretasianman2531your good times have come to an end.

[@SatansShart]

Mentally fragile? Go take a look at your MGoBlow message boards from 2001 up to the Connor Stallions era. Talk about fragile

[@DubLubb]

​@SatansShart the Connor Stalions era was concurrent with the Catapult era.

[@leojanuszewski1019]

@@jimmy5634 Haha...yeah you said that last year too...and the year before...and Michigan was "afraid" of Bama...and (continue ad infinitum). 'Tards 🙄

[@gigidope]

I’m really looking forward to this season. Limit the t/o’s and penalties. Good defense. I want to see Amorion Walker at wideout.

[@Jazz16-we1qc]

And Orgi at running back. Donnovan at receiver

[@glenncampbell796]

Facts

[@DubLubb]

​@Jazz16-we1qc last thing we need is a mobility challenged undersized little blonde surfer dude under center.....in Orji we trust.

[@maxsonfinn8030]

What has oregon shown to make anybody believe they can match up with top programs at the los? they lost twice to washington last season, and washington might have been the 4th best team in the big in 23

[@jefferybarnovitz1718]

OSU doesn't have Mazzerati Marv. that is alot of offense.....

[@taxisquad11]

Ohio State has Emeka Egbuka who all analysts say will be a first round pick next year. And they have the #1 player in the 2024 class, WR JJ Smith, the only WR ever to be ranked #1 in a class, who many say could play in the NFL today. Marv says he will be better than he was this year.

[@JohnnyFarcry]

Will Johnson will lock down whoever

[@taxisquad11]

@@JohnnyFarcry LOLOLOL he cannot lock down 2 at once.

[@_jse123]

​@taxisquad11 so now these guys are better than MHJ and Wilson and Olave and JSN lmao is Will Rogers better than McCord and Stroud 😂😂😂 KSt wasnt even gonna start him😂😂😂 Trey Henderson didnt have much effect in the last 2 games he played against Mich. Oh wait now its the kid from Ole Miss who is the best RB ever. Delusional Joel Klatt got yall gassed

[@danielroberts3920]

Yea and Meatchicken doesn't have Stallions! You're gonna find out how much you needed hum!!

[@mavrick6088]

How do we know the offense is going to be worse? That is not a fact set in stone. It's a 50/50 shot right now because there is a chance Orji is a beast that totally opens up a ton on offense because of the run option ends up so lethal that defenses have no choice but to stay honest all the time and Michigan just marches down the field on people. That is just as possible as them not being as good. I seem to have this guy feeling people are going to be shocked at how well Michigan moves the football this season and the QB position may not be as big a drop off as predicted. Really all a QB has to do is be efficient on 3rd downs and not turn the ball over. Have a decent RedZone offense to go with that and your right back in the final 4 teams because that defense is going to be disgusting!!!! In a good way!

[@taxisquad11]

"there is a chance" "just as possible" are not exactly ringing endorsements. Michigan lost their top 7 O-linemen from last year that marched down the field. JJ completed a lot of 3rd down passes that allowed marches to continue. It is a FACT that JJ was the best QB in MIchigan history. Next year who will be the new best in Michigan history? LOLOL you have NO IDEA what makes the best QB in Michigan history, To Start with JJ completed over 72% of his passes. What QB is going to do that? No one is telling you that Michigan lost half of their defense from last year. which was 78% of their efficiencies on defense. Look it up, pay no attention to the propaganda

[@_jse123]

​@taxisquad11 Nice try 😂😂😂 they lost their LBs and a DT thats it. Jack Sawyer lmao JT Tummy sticks lol 😂😂😂.. The same guys you get your info from been telling OSu was gonna win a natty every yr since 2015

[@taxisquad11]

@@_jse123 BAD try. LOLOLO These are the defensive players on Michigan's 2-deep roster from last year that are gone. They all contributed as Michigan rotated a lot of players. Cam Goode, Michael Bennett, Makari Paige, Quinten Johnson, Mike Samaristi, Jaylen Howell, Mikhai Hill-Green, RJ Moton, Camden Kolesar. LIAR..... I get my info from Michigan's Athletic website. You obviously get yours out of fatso Graham and Grant's arses. NO ONE I know has predicted National Championships for Ohio State every year for the past 10 years. You gotta come up with better lies than that. They make you look like the U of M assistant that was arrested for trying to pick up minor girls

[@None-dj8iy]

​@@taxisquad11😂😂😂classic slohio bate nut😂😂😂😂Gooooo Bluuuuuueeeeee Baby!

[@SatansShart]

@taxisquad11 Its funny how much these Cheatigan Men hammer the emoji button like 12yr olds. I guess that’s what one does when they have no substantive argument

[@chadg6874]

Keep the zuri updates coming.. we need a zuri cam 😂

[@MaxPowersCFB]

My whole channel is about using SP+ to predict college football scores. What doing it with Michigan games since the Nebraska game I believe. Predicted that Washington would beat Texas a month before the game. Kinda did with Michigan and Bama also. SP+ is the most accurate reflection of what college football is at the moment.

[@gridirongodsNetwork]

Every college and pro football team steals signs. Joel Klatt is the only media man that has been transparent about this.

[@gridirongodsNetwork]

Our rivals are in a state of denial. The Michigan Dynasty is here to stay. #MayweatherMode

[@Hassler247]

I think we are gonna be better than expected from some, but I see 2, or 3 regular season losses. We lost pretty much our entire offense, it’s really hard to expect that everything is just going to work out…especially the O-line geling. We even saw last years O-line having issues at the beginning of the season and I’d say that group was more experienced than this one coming in by far.

[@robertboulis4238]

I am a bit nervous about the defense. What I am hearing is that Wink is the "OG" of the defense that Minter ran so successfully. We hear that Wink is implementing the same defense but it will be very heavy blitz. That doesn't sound like the defense that UM built to beat OSU. Yes, I have heard Wink state he will adapt as needed. I have seen interviews with players stating that the terminology is all new. The last two seasons the linebackers and the secondary had incredible communication and were almost always in correct alignment. Losing Mikey to the NFL, Rod Moore to injury, Keon Sabb and DJ Waller to the Portal is really going to hurt. The lack of game experience and "new" defense might get our secondary exposed when we play Texas. Thoughts?

[@keeganimhoff]

Just because it worked, doesn’t mean that there’s not a better way to do it. They probably should’ve blitzed more in the national championship.

[@jaywigfield556]

I’d certainly hope so! People think your going to loose 6!

[@jimmy5634]

Bleacher Report… The Pick: Ohio State Buckeyes If you prefer Michigan, I truly wouldn't argue. Oregon and Penn State should be nightmares (in a good way) up front, too. Still, the Buckeyes land the slightest nod. Jack Sawyer is an all-around force on the edge, and JT Tuimoloau has generated 17.5 TFLs in the last two years. Caden Curry notched 3.5 stops in the backfield during his first chance as a rotational player. The interior unit includes a ton of experience with Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton, who combined for 14.5 TFLs in 2023. Throw in reserve edge Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and many recent blue-chip recruits, and OSU should be deep and dangerous. Our D ends are way better and our tackles are equal, plus we’re two deep.

[@foxbodyblues6709]

It’s not “people” saying this. It’s Vegas. 9.5 wins is right where they have been. A regression the mean. 10-3 or 9-4, just like always.

[@brucemcgraw2265]

Observations from the pundits are no different from the 21 season. Osu predicted to win the big ten....yet again.....next year too.....and the year after that. Moore emphasizes culture and development over talent

[@mflynn45]

When you do not have a top notch or top notch lite QB and keep it real, we have noehere near that! Then you will never see the top 5 , so top 10 ranking is listinh us NICELY! Our D will keep us in everygame. Sadly, it will be on them in a sigifivant way more than ever and hope our new Oline GELS quickly and Tag Team QBs are very solid and better than a B- grade and we will contend for the Big Ten Title. That aloone should be our focus, then go from there. Go Blue!

[@NicklausMiller]

I think we have a QB on the roster that could fill a McNamara like QB role. We will be very run heavy but equally successful imo.

[@jimmy5634]

Sigifivant …Bahahahaha nice spelling. Aloone 😂

[@johnnywebb2351]

😂 neither do Ohio

[@ProfitPathTV-zf6je]

For the love of God...PLEASE add a pop guard to your mic. Every P you speak is an absolute EXPLOSION.

[@stevej7425]

Its your speaker

[@keeganimhoff]

They’re going to repeat. People will learn when they run for 300 against Texas.

[@jh1603]

Can’t under estimate how big of a question mark Michigan has at QB. Sure we didn’t ask JJ to be a world beater but he had some huge throws that lead to wins that I highly doubt anyone on the current roster could come close to replicating

[@campbellsportsinc]

2024 Notre Dame is finally totally in Coach Marcus Freeman's vision in all 3 phases of football on "OFFENSE FINALLY 🔥 not Tommy Rees stuff" and defense and special teams

[@davidwright1728]

Let them all underestimate the wolverines...they will rise to the challenge....Go BLUE 💙

[@danielroberts3920]

Sorry dude, without the cheating, Meatchicken is in trouble!!!

[@jimmy5634]

Sanctions

[@feliperodriquez643]

Michigan needs to keep what they did last season an bust everyone's ass they year have no Mercy on anyone

[@brandonwoundpickups]

They can be both under and overated with the amount of change that has happened. Gotta wait to see the product on the field. Go Bucks.

[@secretasianman2531]

oh please. duh osu got out-toughed three seasons on the offensive and defensive lines and what did they do? get more skill players and the only offensive lineman who was noticeably bothered by michigan's DTs last season in the rose bowl - alabama's center.

[@johnwagner-qo9zm]

Micigan has quickly become development "U"

[@jimmy5634]

Cheater “U”

[@johnwagner-qo9zm]

@jimmy5634 You clearly don't know football bud.

[@DeshCanter]

Hopefully they do underestimate us. We always play better being disrespected.

[@teedotfoster]

Isiah bro bring the old intro music back bro 😩😩😩

[@MrGoGetter]

Why are you disrespecting that polo shirt 😂

[@otisjohnjr.3023]

After Harbaugh finally released how he was being treated by Manuel. We knew he was a government employee ladder climber with disregard to anyone in his way. I'm looking forward to more being released by Harbaugh, and it would not surprise me if Manuel and Stalions were in it together.

[@jakeMontejo3272]

Michigan is undervalued by most of the national pundits, because they don’t have a 5-10 + year run of CFP history. There are more questions than answers regarding this team overall. Moore is perfect as their HC, but how many 1st time HCs have great seasons? They’re top 15 to start but their growing pains won’t be easy ones in the new B1G ….That said, Vegas is going to be really confused and the betting lines will be ripe for $$$ early on.

[@nelsongn9]

Go Blue

[@taxisquad11]

Stop Blue

[@RandyTolin-gt9kg]

Blue we never heard of lol

[@lloydcady7231]

With all players and coaches Michigan lost they going have a drop just how big is the drop is the question.

[@jerrylohla5356]

It's now more than ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DAYS since ohio won "THE GAME."

[@GoBlu76]

Michigan Defense won the Natty for us. They will do it again. Expect a lot more blitzing and sacks. Secondary and D line are more ferocious than last year. Michigan is in Ryan Days head and the guy is soft. Texas can't beat anyone that has even a mediocre defense. USC is laughable on both sides without the overrated Caleb Williams 😮

[@samxakinyemi]

Folks forget that Sherrone Moore is an Offensive Coordinator

[@taxisquad11]

YOU have forgotten that Sherrone Moore is now the head coach at Michigan, something he's never been before. Nothing says he'll be close to a Harbaugh

[@samxakinyemi]

@@taxisquad11 I’m speaking solely on Michigan offense this season

[@taxisquad11]

@@samxakinyemi SO AM I.

[@RandyTolin-gt9kg]

Harbaugh just got lucky and to think he would bring his dad on TV. What a joke they are

[@samxakinyemi]

@@RandyTolin-gt9kg THREE LUCKY WINS IN A ROW OVER OHIO

[@reconsoldier135]

Speaking of Connor Stalions, there are people out there who wholeheartedly believe that Connor Stalions stole entire playbooks from other teams, not just signs, and that he left all that behind for Michigan to use even though the NCAA was investigating.

[@bonnerballs]

They also think he was randomly at a CMU/Michigan State game with a disguise. Preparing for the worst team in the conference. Its all they can talk about.

[@jamietwigg5152]

What rival fans think of Connor is he was a flunky. One read of what the Navy football team thought of him early on proves he had a knack for what he did.

[@taxisquad11]

@@jamietwigg5152 WHY in the world does Michigan hire "funkies"?

[@JohnnyFarcry]

If you aren't switching your signs up weekly you are running a rinky dink program. That's what all these butthurt teams fail to acknowledge. Everyone tries to steal signs and everyone knows it. Switch your shit up or get dunked on

[@briangorman186]

From top to bottom - these are the best coaches ever at Michigan (Mike Hart and Jimmy were ALWAYS selfish people) - Go Blue!!!

[@taxisquad11]

The last 6 years? The 3 years before the 3 Big Ten Title years Michigan was 21-11 and didn't win a Big Ten Title

[@_jse123]

You counted the covid season😂😂😂😂

[@JohnnyFarcry]

​@@_jse123Hey that was the last season Ohio did anything. They have 0 big wins since they finally beat Clemson

[@freeclimb5487]

That's because Michigan coordinators were bad and their development program hadn't kicked in yet. But Hey, hope ohio thinks it was Stallions that wasn't hired as the sign analyst until 2022 and left after 7 games in 2023.

[@taxisquad11]

@@freeclimb5487 LOLOL....Stalians was not PAID by MIchigan until May 2022. He'd been in Annie Arbor since 2017 running his illegal sign stealing operation. He'd been doing such a great job, they HAD to start paying him. In the NCAA investigation there's information he'd been getting "help" under the table. Maybe they were afraid if they didn't give him the title of "assistant coach", he'd start running his mouth? Don't you MIchigan Men, including Stalians, ever do the required research???

[@taxisquad11]

@@freeclimb5487 LOLOLO "development program hadn't kicked in yet" After the worst year in Michigan history it magically "kicked in"? The Stalians kick start.

[@campbellsportsinc]

You better evaluate Notre Dame thoroughly instead of being blind to your lil trophy 🏆☘️

[@taxisquad11]

Michigan is the only program in the country with a "mission"?

[@newfdog9602]

The mission to winning a nation championship? Go have a dance off with Gay Day

[@danielroberts3920]

A cheating mission.!!

[@taxisquad11]

@@newfdog9602 You think Michigan is the only team in the country that has that mission?? This makes you a fool. Moo Moo Moore will not win as many games as Day did in his first year as a head coach. He will never have as high a winning % as Day does

[@gabeswitala2292]

​@@taxisquad11You STILL coping over the EA cover?

[@None-dj8iy]

​@@danielroberts3920😂😂😂you mean like your team! 😂😂😂Gooooo Bluuuuuueeeeee Baby!

[@Ohiofelonstate]

The obsession chumphio fans have with isiah is beyond funny and creepy ... seems like all they want to do is get a sniff of Michigan success of braking and embarrassing chumphio snitch football.... Anyone who beats them more then once is "cheating " immediately not getting outphysicaled not getting outcoached its always resort to being a 5 year old " wahhhh mommy they cheated ".. Most toddler fanbase in all sports ..

[@jimmy5634]

“Where have you gone Connor Stalions …Blu Nation turns its lonely eyes to you…woo, woo, woo.” “What’s that you say Connor Stalions, sanctions hold a place for those who stay…hey, hey, hey. 😂😂😂😂

[@secretasianman2531]

michigan beat 4 top 10 teams in 6 games without stalions. give it a rest. we beat osu because we have a better *team*. and in 2019 day had brown's defensive signals. it's why partridge left the first time because he wanted brown to change the signs and brown refused.

[@jimmy5634]

@@secretasianman2531who cares? Cheating is cheating. Just stop, they cheated.

[@jacobberry3149]

So dumb

[@jimmy5634]

@@jacobberry3149you’ll see how dumb it is when the NCAA rules on this.

[@taxisquad11]

Ohio State has had MANY 3 Stars who made All Big Ten teams, got drafted and made all NFL teams. As have a bunch of schools. MIchigan does not have the market cornered on development and culture

[@newfdog9602]

Stop it Taxi, you know your a joke! We are not your wife, you don't need to lie to us. She's lying to you!

[@taxisquad11]

@@newfdog9602 Typical of a LOSER.......of debates who have nothing of substance to add

[@newfdog9602]

Classic Taxi, while his boyfriend is getting dusted by Will Howard, it's fair that he hates Michigan

[@_jse123]

​​@@newfdog9602 Will Howard is better than CJ stroud, now Emeka is better than MHJ and The smith kid is the best WR of all time. Also Judkins is the BEST RB since Barry Sanders.

[@gigidope]

Michigan had like 15 draft picks this year. It was crazy. It was 13. But come on.

[@coreyjr1949]

Bruh yall sucked tape dont lie yall wasn't that good last year and yall going to be terrible

[@jacobberry3149]

What a terrible take 😂😂😂 cry harder

[@coreyjr1949]

@@jacobberry3149 dude y'all suck sorry y'all should be happy y'all cheated all year