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Last Week at The Wolverine Den

Tailgate Attendance

22

Michigan Spring Game

Blue 17 - Maize 0

Michigan Stadium

April 19, 2025 - 12:00 p.m. ET

Tailgate Pictures

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Season Preview

The University of Michigan Wolverines begin season 146 with plenty of optimism but also many questions. Now that the sign stealing case has been put behind us, the team can get back to the job of winning championships. And this team has every opportunity to do just that. Let's examine the likely players that will lead this team.

The real strength of the team is the defense. Even with the loss of Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant and Will Johnson, the defense has reloaded and has the capability to be among the best in the nation. In fact, ESPN's SP+ ranks Michigan as the nation's #1 defense going into the season. The Maize and Blue return DL Rayshaun Benny, Edges Derrick Moore and TJ Guy, LBs Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham, and DBs Rod Moore, Jyaire Hill, and Zeke Berry. They have also added, via the transfer portal, DLs Tre Williams from Clemson, Damon Payne from Alabama, and DB TJ Metcalf from Arkansas. Plus, there are incoming freshmen that are ready to contribute including DB Shamari Earls. The depth at all levels is impressive. Given the showing the defense had to end last year (and at least part of it without the big stars), this defense will be special. In the last four games of last season (Indiana, Northwestern, Ohio State, and Alabama), the Michigan defense held opponents to an average of 48.75 rushing yards per game, 221 total yards, and only 12.25 points per game. With Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale returning, the continuity of the defense remains intact. This will be a great defense.

We all know that offense was not good for Michigan in 2024. The offensive line had all new starters, the wide receivers had limited experience (outside of Colston Loveland), and the quarterback was, frankly, inadequate. Michigan was 131st in passing yards per game, last in the nation among non-service academies. Enter Bryce Underwood. The nation's #1 overall recruit is the new starting quarterback for the Wolverines. He will be great. But he is a true freshman who just turned 18 on August 19th. He will make some mistakes. But he will also be a superstar. It is rare for a true freshman to start at QB. Only twice in college football history has a true freshman QB won the national championship in their first year, and neither of them started the season as the starter.

Michigan has had only three quarterbacks start the season as a true freshman. The first was Rick Leach in 1975. Michigan was a running team back then and Leach completed only 35% of his 85 passes in 1975. The Wolverines finished the season 8-2-2.

Next was Chad Henne in 2004. Henne had, arguably, his best year at Michigan as a true freshman, completing over 60% of his passes for 2,743 yards and 25 TDs. He also threw 12 interceptions. Michigan finished the season 9-3.

The last true freshman to start the season for Michigan was Tate Forcier in 2009. Forcier did throw for over 2,000 yards with 13 TDs and 10 INTs. But the Wolverines finished 5-7.

So, the bar for a true freshman to have early success is quite high. Bryce will make some mistakes, but he is a massive upgrade from the lack of a passing game last year. And he can run the ball! The Wolverines return a more experienced offensive line as well as some highly touted recruits. The backfield loses Kalel Mulling and Donovan Edwards to the NFL but have Jordan Marshall returning and the transfer addition of Justice Haynes from Alabama. H-back Max Bredeson also returns. The receivers are a concern, although the addition of Donaven McCulley from Indiana is a huge improvement. True freshmen Andrew Marsh and Jamar Browder are also in the mix. Max Klein and Hogan Hansen are the top tight ends to replace Loveland. Preseason All-American Dominic Zvada will continue to be among the best kickers in the nation after converting 7-7 field goals last year from 50+ yards.

The Wolverines also upgraded with Chip Lindsey as the new offensive coordinator. Lindsey has a proven record of fielding great offenses, averaging 34 points per game in his career as a coordinator/head coach.

The schedule is much more conducive with only one team that had over 7 wins last year and only 2 opponents that are ranked in the top 25 of the preseason AP Poll (Ohio State and Oklahoma). However, there ae only six home games and the potential for tough road games at Oklahoma, at Nebraska, and at USC.

But remember, we still own all our rivals. At the start of the season (August 30th):

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