CBS Sports doesn't think highly of Michigan football entering 2025

USA Today

30-03-2025

CBS Sports doesn't think highly of Michigan football entering 2025
There were few teams last year in college football that had a stronger finish than Michigan football. The Wolverines won their last three games including against eventual national champion Ohio State and against an Alabama team many thought deserved to be in the College Football Playoff.
Yet, even with an intact, returning defense, revamped offense, and amenable schedule (opponent-wise), some have little faith.
You can count CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli among the doubters. Last week, Fornelli predicted each Big Ten team's wins and losses and despite the finish last year, he has the maize and blue losing four games.
Wins: New Mexico, Central Michigan, Wisconsin, Washington, at Michigan State, Purdue, at Northwestern, at MarylandLosses: at Oklahoma, at Nebraska, at USC, Ohio State
Analysis: Last year, I gave Michigan the benefit of the doubt coming off a national title. This year, I'm not. The wins over Ohio State and Alabama to end the season papered over some of the team's significant problems, and all the key players from that title team are gone now. Maybe Bryce Underwood is the Prince Who Was Promised right away, but I expect some growing pains. Pick: Under 8.5 (+148)
Michigan won eight (out of 13) games last year, despite having an offense that was essentially incapable of scoring, against a much more difficult schedule. Is it possible that the Wolverines will lose the four games mentioned? Sure. Especially with three of them being on the road. Oklahoma and Nebraska have been particularly aggressive in the transfer portal and have good quarterbacks, while USC is a bit of a question mark. Ohio State has fielded incredible teams and yet has lost to Michigan in the past four seasons.
Our thought is that Michigan is more likely to win 10 games -- especially considering that it finished last year beating two teams no one thought it could beat. Especially considering the Alabama game, where most of the productive players do return (unlike Fornelli's assumption), there's really nowhere to go but up.