The college football season is a little under two months away. Even in the thick of the summer season, the talk around the Michigan Wolverines has reverberated throughout the college football conversation. Even with the looming decision from the NCAA on whether the university will face more penalties or sanctions from the Connor Stallions scandal, there is still considerable interest in what the Wolverines will be in the 2025-2026 season.
After what was a tumultuous season at quarterback, the Wolverines believe they have their answer at quarterback in Bryce Underwood and a semi-insurance policy in Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene. If anything, there should be more stability at the position than in years past.
The return of kicker Dominic Zvada is a major plus for the Wolverines, considering that in the 2024 season, Zvada could have been considered the best kicker in the country. The transfer of Alabama running back Justice Haynes should also provide stability for Michigan and provide some level of consistency at the running back position.
In the dark and cold days of winter, it will be imperative that the Wolverines have a running back that they can rely on. Hopefully, Haynes can provide that.
With a lot of players that left for the NFL on both the offensive and defensive lines, that will be a big turning point for Michigan. The return of defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is a huge benefit, and the addition of Chip Lindsey is expected to be a great addition for the offensive production.
Those are possibly the two biggest questions facing the Wolverines in this upcoming season. Will the defense still be as imposing as in previous seasons, and will the offense provide innovation? Time will tell.
Whether or not the two-game self-imposed suspension of Sherrone Moore will impact the Wolverines is an open-ended question. Whether or not all the excitement around Bryce Underwood is worthy of its hype is to be determined.
The Michigan Wolverines are in what could be considered a year of transition, in some aspects. But even with the transition, the expectations can be mighty. The Wolverines have had a great recruiting class, considered the seventh-best in the 2025 class. The Big Ten will continue to be a juggernaut, and the landscape of college football will still demand heavy results.
Michigan has built a solid foundation for the future. Will it reap the rewards of that foundation?
About four games in... we'll know.