Where Athlon Sports ranks Michigan football in 2025, eyes College Football Playoff return
Where Athlon Sports ranks Michigan football in 2025, eyes College Football Playoff return
Expectations for Michigan football aren't particularly high in 2025 across the media, yet some recognize that the Wolverines might be in a better position than many think.
With the over-under for the maize and blue set at 8.5, there are quite a few pundits expecting Michigan to hit the under, barely looking under the hood and noting the key losses on defense while not expecting much more on offense. However, the Wolverines showed in the ReliaQuest Bowl, with nine players expected to be factors in 2025, playing well on defense, holding Alabama to just 13 points, that that side of the ball should be solid. Meanwhile, Sherrone Moore overhauled the offensive side of the ball, bringing in former North Carolina and Auburn offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey while revamping the quarterback room.
Will Michigan football be ranked this year?
Unlike some of its contemporaries, Athlon Sports recognizes the changes that Moore and the Wolverines made, thus ranking Michigan in the middle of its post-spring top 25.
15. Michigan
After closing out the 2024 season with wins over Ohio State and Alabama, along with the commitment of 5-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, second-year coach Sherrone Moore has Michigan back on track.
If Underwood develops as expected, a return to the College Football Playoff is within reach. But the freshman won't have to carry this team. The backfield features a promising one-two punch of Jordan Marshall and Justice Hayes (sic), while optimism is high for an improved offensive line. Developing playmakers at receiver is crucial for new coordinator Chip Lindsey.
The Wolverines bring back six starters from a standout defense. Safety Rod Moore is slated to return after missing all of '24 due to a knee injury, and edge rusher Derrick Moore is among the Big Ten's top returning linemen.
The schedule breaks in Michigan's favor. Ohio State comes to Ann Arbor, and Moore's team won't play Oregon or Penn State.
Still an incomplete picture
While the six returning starters on defense is true of the regular season, it's not true of what Michigan trotted out in Tampa against the Crimson Tide. The whole starting front seven from that game, as well as one corner (Zeke Berry) and safety (Brandyn Hillman) are set to return.
If the offense just modestly improves, then the Wolverines should be back in the good graces of college football, especially considering that the schedule only features two teams (3. Ohio State, 20. Oklahoma) that Athlon features in its top 25. Last year, the Wolverines played four teams that were in the College Football Playoff, lost to three (Texas, Oregon, Indiana) and beat one (Ohio State).
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