There are rumors of a potential postseason ban for the Michigan Wolverines. We’ll soon find out if there’s any truth to all of that, but new head coach Sherrone Moore certainly hopes not.
Regardless, with Jim Harbaugh and J.J. McCarthy long gone from Ann Arbor, the defending national champions are largely flying under the radar as the new season approaches.
The rival Ohio State Buckeyes are viewed as the clear favorites to dominate the Big Ten.
Backed by an ultra-loaded roster and the significant addition of former UCLA head coach Chip Kelly as their new offensive coordinator, many people feel this is the year Ryan Day finally brings the Buckeyes to the top of the mountain.
Anticipation is high, with the Buckeyes expected to debut at either No. 1 or No. 2 in the upcoming preseason Associated Press and USA Today Coaches polls.
A recent media survey pegged Ohio State as the top contender for the Big Ten title. (Although the Oregon Ducks will surely have something to say about that.)
Despite Ohio State’s favored status, Moore remains absolutely unfazed.
Addressing the media at Big Ten Media Days last week, Moore downplayed the significance of preseason predictions.
“I think there’s always everybody’s speculations and opinions and it’s not our job to really care about what everyone else thinks,” Moore told reporters.
“So for us, it’s whatever, we know who we’re going to be and that’s what we’re going to do.
“Since I’ve been there, it’s like, people are gonna predict what they’re gonna predict. They’re gonna say what they’re gonna say and our job is not to prove anybody right or prove ourselves right.
So we’re just gonna go day by day and try to get better – not worry about anything else.”
Under Moore’s leadership, Michigan has adapted its approach to the rivalry with Ohio State.
After enduring years of struggles, including the initial years of the Jim Harbaugh era, the Wolverines have secured three straight victories over their rivals.
Moore emphasized that this strategy would persist.
“We think about them 24-7, 365,” he said. “So that’s what we’re going to continue to do. That’s how we’re going to continue to attack it. And we’re just going to attack our process.
“We can’t really be worried about what happened in the past, and what the future holds. We’ve just got to worry about today, and that’ll dedicate and predict what we do in these future games.”
The recent changes in the Big Ten, including the elimination of divisions and the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams, open the door for potentially three matchups between Michigan and Ohio State in a single season.
While some might view this as controversial, Moore is enthusiastic. “I love it. Yes, let’s do it,” he said, expressing excitement over the prospect.
To capture a fourth consecutive Big Ten title, Michigan will rely on contributions from players who have previously played supporting roles.
Senior tight end Max Bredeson expressed confidence in these players stepping up this fall.
“I love it,” Moore said of Bredeson’s confidence in his teammates. “I mean, for us, we like staying there. Just like staying in that little perch and get ready. And then when it’s time, game day on August 31, you get ready to strike.
“So for us, we’re just ready to work and it’s awesome to hear that from (Max Bredeson). One of our leaders who, they’re in the thick of it with our players every single day, they see it, they understand it, they get it, they see what it looks like.
“He knows and they all know what it was supposed to look like and we’re excited.”
Moore’s objectives for Michigan are clear and ambitious.
“Win the big games, beat our rivals, beat Ohio State, win the Big Ten, go to the College Football Playoff and win it,” he declared.
After clinching their first national championship in 26 years last season, the Wolverines remain committed to their high standards and the pursuit of a conference title and more.
“Every year that’s we’re going to try to do. We’re going to try to compete to win the Big Ten. And if we do, it’s because we took care of the football, we played great defense and we played as hard as we could every game,” Moore concluded.
Assuming they’re not banned from the postseason, do you think Michigan has what it takes to win the national title yet again???