Michigan football fans are hoping that the Wolverines can return to the College Football Playoff after a one-year absence in 2024, but a new post-spring bowl projection by CBS Sports has U-M falling short of the 12-team playoff for the second straight year.
The Michigan Wolverines struggled during the 2024 season, posting an 8-5 record following their national championship season in 2023. However, the offense was mostly to blame.
Michigan football had an elite defense. The Wolverines proved that against Ohio State and Alabama. Michigan won those games without getting much from the quarterback position.
In 2025, the Wolverines will have Bryce Underwood. It's too early to say the offense will be great, or even good. But even if Michigan football is average on offense, it will be tough to beat.
Underwood will improve the offense. The receivers are better, and the offensive line should be too. Michigan football also added a dynamic running back from Alabama, via the transfer portal, so the running game should actually be better, too.
CBS Sports projects Michigan to improve in 2025, projecting the Wolverines to play in the Citrus Bowl against Florida. That's the bowl game for the top-ranked Big Ten and SEC teams that don't make the playoff.
The Wolverines would probably need to win at least eight, or maybe nine games to get that bowl berth. Florida is another playoff dark horse this season.
With DJ Lagaway (Florida) and Underwood, it would certainly be a high-profile quarterback matchup. Yet, I still have hope that the Wolverines can avoid the Citrus Bowl altogether
The post-spring projection makes sense though.