Michigan football started fall camp earlier this week and you can feel the 2024 season getting closer by the day.
It's a new era for Michigan football as head coach Jim Harbaugh is now coaching the Los Angeles Chargers and J.J. McCarthy is about to earn the Minnesota Vikings starting job.
The Wolverines had 13 starters total drafted into the NFL, but even more were signed as undrafted free agents. While there is a big overhaul of the roster, that's not new in college football. Teams have to reload quickly and Michigan football has the talent to do that.
Michigan football has three projected first-round picks in Mason Graham, Colston Loveland, and Will Johnson. Derrick Moore, Kenneth Grant, Donovan Edwards, Josaiah Stewart and Rod Moore, all have chances to be drafted fairly early too. Rod Moore depends a lot on health but there have been signs he could return this season.
At any rate, with a talented group and Sherrone Moore taking over as head coach, I'm optimistic about the future and the 2024 season for the defending national champions. Looking ahead, here are our game-by-game predictions for the 2024 Michigan football season.
Game 1: vs Fresno State (Aug. 31)
Don't overlook the Bulldogs, Michigan football fans. Fresno State has won 29 games over the past three seasons. They also return their starting quarterback and starting running back from a team that won nine games and a bowl game in 2023.
It will be a good challenge for the defense, but the Bulldogs were 46th in scoring offense and 48th in scoring defense. They are a solid Mountain West team but Donovan Edwards will go over 100 yards and Alex Orji wins his first game as the starting quarterback.
Prediction: Michigan 38, Fresno State 10
Game 2: vs Texas (Sept. 7)
This is a huge game for both teams. Texas will play in the SEC for the first time this season and the Longhorns could use a non-conference win to bolster their resume.
Michigan football will be looking to make a statement that they aren't going anywhere under Sherrone Moore. Quinn Ewers will give Texas the edge at quarterback. The Horns have a stout defensive line and it will be a huge test for the offensive line and for the running game.
But, Big Game Don will deliver a big run or a few key receptions and the defensive line wreaks havoc on Ewers and the high-powered Texas offense.
Prediction: Michigan 20, Texas 13
Game 3: vs Arkansas State (Sept. 14)
Arkansas State is an average program. They made a bowl game last season but their defense ranked outside the top 100. There's always some worry about focus after a big game, but Michigan has dominated lesser opponents in recent years and I don't see that changing in Week 3.
Michigan 45, Arkansas State 13
Game 4: vs USC (Sept. 21)
Michigan football vs. USC will be a great matchup for college football fans. Just those traditional uniforms on a Saturday afternoon on CBS will be iconic.
The game should be interesting too. Michigan hasn't beaten USC in my living memory and the last two meetings were blowout wins by the Trojans in the Rose Bowl.
Lincoln Riley is being doubted for the first time in his career but I think his program responds. Miller Moss won the job in the bowl season last year at quarterback but I don't see him leading the Trojans to victory.
Again, Michigan will be too tough and too physical in the trenches for USC, which will prove to be the difference as U-M wins the Big Ten opener.
Prediction: Michigan 31, USC 24
Game 5: vs Minnesota (Sept. 28)
The schedule is challenging, but it's game five and Michigan football still won't have play a game outside of the Big House.
Minnesota is a respectable program under P.J. Fleck. Darius Taylor is one of the best running backs in the Big Ten and the defense is always good at taking the ball away.
That worries me with a young quarterback like Alex Orji, but the Gophers can't match up with Michigan football talent-wise. This will be a physical affair but the Wolverines win by three scores.
Prediction: Michigan 34, Minnesota 17
Game 6: at Washington (Oct. 5).
As crazy as it sounds, Washington has undergone more changes than Michigan football. Their head coach left for Alabama and basically, their entire team is gone to the NFL or the transfer portal.
The Huskies did well to add former Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers, who put up big numbers in the SEC but he also did so playing in the Air Raid.
This is the Big Ten. Jedd Fisch, who coached under Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, will find success in Seattle but this first season will be a challenge and Michigan wins a battle on the road.
Prediction: Michigan 27, Washington 20
Game 7: At Illinois (Oct. 19)
Following the bye week, Michigan football will travel to Illinois. Luke Altmeyer will be back at quarterback for the Fighting Illini but the defense dropped off without Ryan Walters.
Bret Bieliema's team nearly beat Michigan football during the 2022 season in Ann Arbor, but that was a much different team. This game will feel more like the Wolverines last trip to Champaign, which was a runaway.
Edwards, Orji, and Kalel Mullings all find the end zone on the ground in a convincing win that features a busy day from Dominic Zvada.
Prediction: Michigan 30, Illinois 10
Game 8: vs Michigan State (Oct. 26)
This will be Johnathan Smith's first foray into the rivalry but Michigan State has a long way to go. The Spartans have a talented young quarterback and he'll have some time to get his feet wet before this matchup, but Aiden Chiles will struggle against the Michigan defense.
The running ability of Chiles causes me concern. He could create some big plays against the Wolverines in that way, but Michigan will dominate up front and Edwards will dominate the in-state rivalry game.
Prediction: Michigan 31, Michigan State 13
Game 9: vs. Oregon (Nov. 2)
This will be another huge test for Michigan football. Oregon probably has more overall talent than the Wolverines and one of the best quarterbacks in college football in Dillon Gabriel.
At the same time, what has Dillon Gabriel ever won? The Sooners were 6-6 in his first season and while they improved last year, Oklahoma didn't even truly contend in the Big 12 conference.
Don't get me wrong, Gabriel worries me. But Michigan's defense has shut down plenty of "elite" quarterbacks and as much praise as folks want to heap on Dan Lanning, Oregon hasn't performed well in big games.
Lanning is 0-3 against Washington. His team also lost to Oregon State in 2022 when it was a playoff contender and I'm not sure how the Ducks will handle getting smacked in the mouth.
Beyond that, the Wolverines haven't lost a game in the Big House since 2020. Oregon could end that streak but beating Michigan, at Michigan, isn't for the faint at heart and I'm not sold that the Ducks are tough enough.
Prediction: Michigan 24, Oregon 21
Game 10: at Indiana (Nov. 9)
If there's a "trap game" on the schedule, Indiana might be it for Michigan football. The game against Washington will be a national title rematch, plus people know Fisch is an up-and-coming head coach.
Curt Cignetti is too and he will have Indiana playing much better this season. The Hoosiers did some impressive work in the transfer portal which includes former Ohio quarterback Kurtis Rourke.
By the end of the season, the Hoosiers should be aiming for bowl eligibility, and beating Michigan would be like winning the Super Bowl. The Wolverines survive, but Indiana doesn't make it easy.
Prediction: Michigan 20, Indiana 17
Game 11: vs Northwestern (Nov. 23)
Northwestern won eight games last season and they did it with a formula that is familar to Michigan football fans. The Wildcats averaged just 0.7 turnovers per game while forcing 1.7 per game.
If you win the turnover margin by an average of one per game, a winning season is likely. Northwestern will have a new starting quarterback. The Wolverines also play Northwestern one week ahead of Ohio State, which makes it another trap game.
The Wildcats will keep it close and it will remind Michigan fans of a Rutgers game, but the Wolverines find a way in the fourth quarter to improve to 11-0 for the third straight season.
Prediction: Michigan 27, Northwestern 13
Game 12: at Ohio State (Nov. 30)
Michigan football won in Columbus in 2022 for the first time since 2000. It took an incredible effort from the defense, Donovan Edwards, and J.J. McCarthy.
Ohio State has invested as much money as possible into beating Michigan. It also hired Chip Kelly to try and run the football with two stellar backs. Will Howard will be fine but if Ryan Day doesn't commit to the run, Ohio State won't beat Michigan.
The team that runs for more yards usually wins "The Game." If Chip Kelly is truly calling the plays, Ohio State will have a chance to win that battle and with an inexperienced quarterback starting for Michigan in Orji, Ohio State will find a way to end the losing streak to big, bad, Michigan.
Prediction: Ohio State 27, Michigan 20
However, since both teams entered "The Game" 11-0, there will be a rematch for the Big Ten championship in Indy. If that happens, I think it will be a tall task for the Buckeyes to beat Michigan two weeks in a row. So I'll end with that.