In 2024, Michigan certainly didn't meet expectations for a team that had won a National Championship the year before. However, the Wolverines did the work in the offseason to make sure the 2025 season is not a repeat of the 2024 season, and some college sports analysts are seeing the difference.
Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt is always making predictions for the 025 season, and he recently unveiled his preseason Top 25 rankings. He had the Wolverines ranked No. 10. This is a team that finished 8-5 last season and had one of the worst offenses in college football. On the opposite side of the ball, though, they were one of the top defenses in the country, so if they can elevate their offense enough this season, Michigan is going to be a team to seriously watch out for.
"They cannot be worse on offense than they were a year ago," Klatt said. "I think they're gonna be back among the elite in college football."
Joel Klatt on Michigan: 'They’re gonna be back among the elite in college football'
— TheWolverine.com (@TheWolverineOn3) August 5, 2025
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That is a huge statement from Klatt. Although Michigan will always be among the college football elite, however, they just faltered a bit last season. Klatt believes that this defense is key to Michigan's success again, even though they lost some key players to the NFL Draft this past offseason. Klatt seems to just really love what he is seeing from the Wolverines, and the offense is really the biggest point of fixation.
"I just love the way they finished the season," Klatt said. "This defense that got it going in the year, even with their star players not playing."
The 2024 season brought a lot of change for Michigan, losing almost their entire starting lineup from the National Championship team, as well as their head coach. Former offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore took over the Wolverines, and the team found success under his leadership.
A bowl game was in question for the Wolverines, but three straight victories, including one against Ohio State in Columbus, to end the season, saved this team and even helped land one of their top recruits, with Bryce Underwood.
The quarterback situation for the Wolverines is still undecided between Underwood and veteran transfer Mikey Keene, but that should be figured out before the start of the season. Michigan has a big opportunity this season, and they can't afford to waste it.