The Michigan Wolverines’ football program is in a much better place heading into 2025 then we might have predicted just a few months ago. After finishing the season with wins over Ohio State and Alabama — while reeling in some potential superstars in the high school ranks and in the transfer portal — it might be fair for fans to think their team can return to the College Football Playoff after a one-year hiatus.

Do we really think that is what’s going to happen, though? For as much positivity as there is around Michigan, there’s some uncertainty as well. Stars like Colston Loveland, Kenneth Grant, Mason Graham and Will Johnson are gone. Additionally, players will be adjusting to a new offensive scheme under Chip Lindsey.

While the in-house turnover presents some challenges on its own, Michigan will also be contending with a schedule that is by no means a cakewalk. With so much to sift through, let’s look at what to expect from Sherrone Moore’s squad in 2025.

The Roster

When thinking about Michigan’s 2025 roster, I’ve lumped the position groups into two categories. The first consists of the offensive line, wide receivers and quarterbacks. I call this the, “It can’t be worse, right?” category. These three groups really sunk Michigan last year. Inexperienced linemen suffered lapses in the run game and pass protection, receivers couldn’t get open consistently, and quarterbacks couldn’t consistently find their targets. That’s a bad combination.

Fortunately, there’s room for improvement in each position group. Greg Crippen, Gio El-Hadi and Evan Link are back, and I won’t rule out improvement from any of them. Andrew Sprague figures to start after having a stellar outing against Alabama, while transfers Lawrence Hattar and Brady Norton provide competition at the least.

As for the passing game, Bryce Underwood and Mikey Keene are definitive upgrades over last year’s group. Underwood is the dual-threat option that’s young but dripping with talent, while Keene brings experience and rapport with Lindsey. As for the receivers, Fred Moore and Semaj Morgan can’t be ruled out to step up, while transfers Anthony Simpson and Donaven McCulley raise the ceiling and versatility of the group.

My second category includes tight ends, running backs and the whole defense. These are the, “I’m not really concerned even if they’re not elite” positions.

Michigan should be in good hands at running back with a duo of Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall, who complement each other nicely. Meanwhile, a second-year leap from Hogan Hansen at tight end could mean big things for the passing game. Marlin Klein is back for another year, too, and had good moments in 2024 when Loveland was out.

On defense, the front seven has plenty of depth even without Graham, Grant and Josaiah Stewart. The edge rotation is solidified by Derrick Moore, T.J. Guy and Cam Brandt, while Michigan has plenty of defensive tackles to rotate, led by Rayshaun Benny, Tre Williams and Damon Payne.

Moving to linebacker, Ernest Hausmann is back, with Jimmy Rolder and Jaishawn Barham (unless he moves to edge) as well. The secondary has some depth as well with Rod Moore, Mason Curtis and Brandyn Hillman at safety, as well as Zeke Berry, Jyaire Hill, Jo’Ziah Edmond, Shamari Earls, and Caleb Anderson at corner.

The Coaching Staff

As of right now, the only change Michigan has made is adding Lindsey as the offensive coordinator. Lindsey has been successful running college offenses over the last decade. Most importantly, Lindsey has had experience running offenses that have been able to succeed in different ways, such as through the air at North Carolina with Drake Maye and with a more balanced attack at Auburn.

On defense, Michigan brings back defensive coordinator Wink Martindale after some flirtations with NFL clubs. Martindale struggled to adjust to the college game out of the gate, but settled in and called great games against Indiana, Ohio State, and Alabama late in the year. If his adjustments were more than just a flash in the pan, Michigan’s defense will be great once again.

The Schedule

Let’s get this out of the way, I’ll give Michigan automatic wins over New Mexico, Central Michigan, Purdue, Northwestern and Maryland. I’ll lean toward wins over Michigan State and Wisconsin as well. On paper, Michigan is well ahead of those seven teams. Where things get interesting is the five games that are true toss-ups — at Oklahoma, at Nebraska, at USC, and home games against Washington and Ohio State.

The Oklahoma game will be a great early season litmus test for two blue-bloods that struggled in 2024 but are on the rise for 2025. Nebraska should improve with Dylan Raiola under center again, and matchups in Lincoln can always be difficult for opposing teams. A road game against USC could prove to be very tough or very easy depending on how Lincoln Riley’s group fares with him on the hot seat.

In my opinion, Washington could be one of the more improved teams in the Big Ten in 2025. Meanwhile, the Ohio State matchup will certainly be difficult regardless of how many contributors the Buckeyes lose. Fortunately, Michigan will get those two at home, but the games still won’t be easy.

Conclusion

I don’t think its bold to say Michigan will be better than 8-5 in 2025. What the roster might lack in stars is made up for with solid-to-good players at every position. If these players are put in positions to succeed by their coaches (which I believe they will be), nine or more wins in the regular season shouldn’t be out of the question.

As for a firm prediction, I think 10-2 in the regular season is realistic, with losses to Oklahoma and Ohio State. I wouldn’t be surprised by additional wins or losses, but I truly think the Wolverines have what it takes to get back into the playoff mix in 2025.