With a self imposed 3 game suspension announced for head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Michigan Wolverines season will not be starting the way they had hoped. This comes after the initial investigation fell apart on the NCAA’s end (though reports suggest they will revisit further punishment in 2024). Despite this, Michigan is returning a majority of their players and are looking to make a major run at the NCAA National Championship.

Last season they lost in the playoffs to TCU in a true shootout of a game. Despite TCU winning, Michigan likely would have put up a better fight against Georgia in the championship. Nevertheless, Michigan is returning a ton of players when teams like Georgia, TCU, and Ohio State all lost multiple big contributors. 

Michigan Wolverines Offense

Key Losses: Jake Moody, Ronnie Bell, Luke Schoonmaker, Ryan Hayes, Olusegun Oluwatimi, AJ Henning (Transfer), Andrel Anthony (transfer), 

The Wolverines lost the most numbers wise on offense. Jake Moody has been as dependable as they come at kicker, Schoonmaker and Bell were starting pass catches, and Hayes and Oluwatimi all got drafted as well. AJ Henning and Andrel Anthony left in the transfer portal, so the weapons for JJ McCarthy may look different this year. The offense should still be pretty good with both Corum and Edwards leading the backfield again, while JOhnson and Wilson will theoretically be the top pass catchers. Both Darrius Clemeons and Tyler Morris are former 4 star recruits who could take on much larger roles in the receiving group as well. They replaced their losses on the o-line with transfers that should get playing time.

Michigan Wolverines Defense

Key Losses: Mazi Smith, DJ Turner, Eyabi Okie (Transfer), RJ Moten

Mazi Smith and DJ Turner will be massive losses for the defense and need to be replaced asap. More curious though is Okie transferring to Charlotte which was one of their better pass rushers now gone. Michigan usually fields a good defense and luckily for them they have a few key sophomores that should take on meaningful roles in the secondary (Rod Moore and WIll Johnson) and on the line (Mason Graham and Derrick Moore).

Michigan should be in the running for the college playoff again this year. Thye face a unique situation where most of their key players returned for another season while schools such as Georgia, TCU, Ohio State and more lost a lot. Harbaugh’s suspension is a distraction, but JJ McCarthy can help the team get through that. He has so much potential in our eyes and could take a massive step forward if he was humbled some after the TCU loss.