The Michigan football season is now just nine days away. You can feel the optimism radiating out of Schembechler Hall as the Wolverines wrap up fall camp.
This 2025 team just has a good feeling. There were struggles in 2024. Michigan football couldn't find a quarterback. The offensive line took a step back, and the schedule was brutal. Injuries didn't help either.
For a lot of reasons, the 2024 season could have been a disappointment. It wasn't, though, because of how it ended. It was one of the best 8-5 seasons in college football history.
Armed with a strong culture, led by dudes like Max Bredeson, the ultimate Michigan man, and likely a team captain, the Wolverines will carry over that success from the end of last season. Add in the talent of Bryce Underwood and others, and you have reason for optimism.
Is a return to the College Football Playoff on tap? Here are three reasons why Michigan football will make the 12-team edition for the first time.
A weapon at quarterback
The thing is, Michigan football doesn't need an elite quarterback to make the playoff this season. Last year, the Wolverines could barely complete a pass. They threw for 65 yards against Ohio State and still won the game.
It felt like a miracle anytime there was a completion of 10 yards or more. That won't be the case this season. Both transfer wide receivers Donaven McCulley and Anthony Simpson have made solid impressions.
You also get the feeling that Underwood's presence will help Semaj Morgan, Fred Moore, Channing Goodwin, and others on the roster to be better. A better quarterback always makes the receivers better.
The tight end room is underrated. The running game will be even better with the actual threat of a passing attack, and beyond all that, Underwood, a 6-foot-4, 228-pound quarterback that even Urban Meyer is excited to watch, adds a dynamic element to the QB run game, too.
This offense will be worlds better than last season -- good enough to get back to the playoff.
Cohesion
One of Michigan's biggest strengths going into the 2025 season is that the Wolverines have 14 starters returning, with seven on each side of the ball.
Some of those players may not start this season, but there is a lot more experience coming back on this roster than there was in 2024.
Michigan also has much more experience back on defense. The Wolverines did lose four NFL draft picks. That will hurt, but they made some quality additions via the portal, plus guys on the roster like Rayshaun Benny, Derrick Moore, TJ Guy, Ernest Hausmann, Jaishawn Barham, Jyaire Hill, Zeke Berry, and others are going to take massive steps forward.
Some of them were already NFL-caliber players. Add in transfers like Tre Williams, TJ Metcalf, and Damon Payne, and there is an impressive amount of depth. Wink Martindale is back. The offensive line is much more experienced and should be improved, too.
Outside of a young quarterback and what some perceive as a weak group of pass catchers, what's the weakness of this Michigan football team?
There aren't many.
A manageable schedule
Don't get it twisted, Michigan's schedule isn't easy. The Wolverines have six road games this season. They'll play as many games away from home as they will in the Big House, a rarity for any Power-4 college football program.
There are some challenging games such as Oklahoma, Nebraska, USC, and Michigan State. Even Northwestern and Maryland won't be walks in the park.
However, with Ohio State looming as the most difficult home game, the Wolverines really just need to win all their home games, then go 4-2 on the road. That affords them going 2-2 in the four most difficult road games listed above.
Split that stretch and "The Game" will be for a playoff berth. That would be great for the rivalry, and based on the past few seasons, Michigan football fans should be stoked if that's the scenario.