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Michigan
Football
2025:
Wolverines
Eye
Playoff
Return
Behind
Freshman
Phenom
Bryce
Underwood
Bunky
McFadden
Tell Us
USA News
Network
ANN
ARBOR,
MI –
After a
disappointing
8-5
campaign
in 2024,
the
University
of
Michigan
football
program
is
poised
for a
dramatic
turnaround
in 2025,
with
renewed
optimism
centered
around
five-star
freshman
quarterback
Bryce
Underwood
and
second-year
head
coach
Sherrone
Moore's
evolving
system.
Fresh
Start
Under
Center
The
biggest
storyline
entering
the 2025
season
is the
Wolverines'
decision
to name
Bryce
Underwood
as their
starting
quarterback.
The
former
No. 1
overall
recruit
in the
2025
class
represents
a
seismic
shift
for a
program
that
struggled
offensively
in 2024.
Underwood
brings
elite
arm
talent
and
mobility
that
could
unlock
an
offense
that
ranked
among
the most
disappointing
units in
the Big
Ten last
season.
His
arrival
has
reset
expectations
in Ann
Arbor,
giving
Michigan
fans
hope for
a return
to
offensive
prominence.
Realistic
Expectations
for 2025
Despite
the
excitement
surrounding
Underwood,
Michigan
faces a
challenging
schedule
that
will
test the
team's
playoff
aspirations.
Early
season
analysis
suggests
a 10-2
regular
season
record
is
realistic,
with
potential
losses
to
Oklahoma
and Ohio
State.
The
Wolverines'
path
back to
contention
hinges
on
improvement
in three
critical
areas
that
plagued
them in
2024.
The
offensive
line,
wide
receivers,
and
quarterback
position
fall
into
what
analysts
call the
"It
can't be
worse,
right?"
category,
as these
three
groups
significantly
hindered
Michigan's
success
last
year.
Schedule
Challenges
The
Wolverines
will
play six
home
games
but will
not have
consecutive
contests
at
Michigan
Stadium
at any
point
during
the
season,
creating
a
balanced
but
demanding
slate.
Key
early
tests
include
a road
trip to
Oklahoma
and the
always-critical
Ohio
State
matchup
that
could
determine
Big Ten
championship
and
playoff
positioning.
The
season
opens
with
Michigan
hosting
New
Mexico
before
the
Wolverines
face
their
first
major
challenge
on the
road
against
the
Sooners
in what
many
project
as a
potential
loss for
the
young
team.
Running
Game
Foundation
While
attention
focuses
on the
quarterback
position,
Michigan's
ground
attack
could
provide
stability
during
Underwood's
adjustment
period.
The
Wolverines
plan to
use
Justice
Haynes
and
Jordan
Marshall
as a
one-two
punch,
giving
each
player
equal
carries
in 2025
and
providing
the
freshman
quarterback
with
reliable
options
to lean
on.
The
balanced
backfield
approach
could
prove
crucial
as Moore
attempts
to ease
Underwood
into the
college
game
while
maintaining
Michigan's
traditionally
strong
running
identity.
Playoff
Hopes
Alive
Expectations
for the
Wolverines
in 2025
are
significantly
higher
than
their
8-5
finish
last
season,
with
many
analysts
believing
the
program
has the
talent
to
return
to
playoff
contention.
The
combination
of an
elite
quarterback
prospect,
improved
supporting
cast,
and
Moore's
growing
experience
as head
coach
creates
optimism
for a
bounce-back
campaign.
As one
analyst
noted,
Michigan
fans
shouldn't
be
surprised
by
additional
wins or
losses
beyond
projections,
but the
Wolverines
truly
have
what it
takes to
get back
into the
playoff
mix in
2025,
reflecting
the
cautious
optimism
surrounding
the
program.
The
Moore
Factor
Entering
his
second
season
as head
coach,
Moore
faces
the
challenge
of
maximizing
a roster
that
underperformed
expectations
while
integrating
a true
freshman
quarterback
into a
system
designed
for
immediate
success.
The
former
offensive
coordinator's
ability
to
develop
Underwood
quickly
while
fixing
the
offensive
line and
receiver
issues
that
plagued
2024
will
determine
whether
Michigan
can
achieve
its
lofty
goals.
His
success
in
managing
these
challenges
could
define
both his
tenure
and the
program's
trajectory
in the
coming
years.
Championship
Window
As fall
camp
concludes
and the
season
opener
approaches,
Michigan
fans
have
reason
for
optimism
despite
the
uncertainties
that
come
with
starting
a true
freshman
at the
sport's
most
important
position.
The 2025
season
represents
a
critical
juncture
for
Moore's
tenure
and the
program's
championship
aspirations
in the
expanded
College
Football
Playoff
era.
The
Wolverines
understand
that
this
season
could
determine
whether
they
remain
among
college
football's
elite
programs
or
continue
searching
for
their
identity
in the
post-Jim
Harbaugh
era.
The
Wolverines
open
their
2025
campaign
on
August
30th
against
New
Mexico
at
Michigan
Stadium.
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