Breaking down what stands between Michigan defending their Big Ten and the national championship
Michigan enters 2024 in a unique position.
After the victory Ohio State and after winning the Big Ten Championship three years in a row and the College Football Playoff last season, their national championship head coach and quarterback have moved on to the NFL. Under new head coach Sherrone Moore, they are looking to build a new identity under their new leadership.
Clayton Sayfie of the Wolverines joined the On3 Table to analyze the factors that will help Michigan maintain its current level of success in 2024.
“I think they’re going to rely on the strength of the team, so the defense, especially the front seven, which is going to be really, really good,” Sayfie told On3’s Kaiden Smith. “I mean, possibly the best defensive tackle duo in the country, with Kenneth Grant And Mason Grahamand perhaps the best corner in America, in Will Johnson and the talent around them – I really like the linebacker team. I think they’ll play on special teams as well, and the offense has to give them enough.
“And I think the challenge here is how fast the offense can get during fall camp and really after Week 1 against Fresno State, because Texas comes to town (Texas) on September 7th, there’s a little more certainty about what they’re going to be.”
Not only does Michigan have to deal with the loss of its head coach and several of its offensive stars, but their departures also coincide with the growth of the Big Ten Conference. The addition of players like University of California, USC, Washington And Oregonalso puts additional pressure on Moore’s group right from the start.
In 2023, Michigan’s defense ranked first in the nation in total defense. They allowed 247.0 yards per game while allowing an average of just over one touchdown per game. Regardless of the offensive personnel, the defensive performance gave the Wolverines an automatic advantage on offense, as they were always looking to extend their lead in games, not maintain it.
“With this defense, they’re going to have a chance every single game,” Sayfie continued. “And that makes it pretty exciting, but it’s going to be different than last year. The whole of college football has changed.”
“It’s not just Texas that’s participating. It’s USC that’s going to Washington. They play Oregon at home in November, and then of course they have their main opponents, like Ohio State at the end of the year, so it’s going to be exciting.”
