This season has not unfolded as hoped for Michigan football.
With a 5-5 record and two regular season games remaining, the Wolverines have fallen far short of their preseason ambitions of making the College Football Playoff.
However, head coach Sherrone Moore and his team still have a meaningful objective: securing bowl eligibility.
That goal could be achieved this weekend as Michigan hosts Northwestern. As a matter of fact, the Wolverines better achieve it this weekend because we all know what opponent is looming…
Beyond the chance to salvage a winning season, qualifying for a bowl game carries significant value for the program.
It offers the team another opportunity to compete and allows additional practice time, which can be pivotal for player development.
Moore emphasized this during a recent media session…
“I think it’s huge,” he said. “It’s huge for the program, obviously playing another game, another chance to play with your team, but building on the future, getting more practice.
“It’s like another spring ball for the young guys. More football for the guys, a chance to get better at football so it’s huge for us and the program.”
There’s absolutely nothing Moore said that isn’t true. However, his comments serve as a sad reminder of just how far the program has fallen in the past year.
Last season, most of the college football world knew full-well that the Wolverines were the best team in the country and would likely win the national championship.
Not only did they end up accomplishing just that – but they did so in emphatic fashion, capping off a historic 15-0 season.
Regardless, we all knew 2024 was going to be a bit of a transition year for the program – and we all know the reasons why.
After all, very few programs – if any – could lose as many vital pieces off a team and not suffer a noticeable dip the following year.
In other words, only a fool would write Michigan off going forward. They remain a blue-blood program, and with a little help in recruiting, they will soon find their way back in playoff contention.
Having said that, the sting from this season will linger for a little bit. (Unless Michigan somehow miraculously knocks off the Buckeyes at the end of the month. Then it’s all worth it.)
As for Northwestern, Moore did his best to talk-up the Wildcats, trying to ensure his team doesn’t dare take them lightly.
“Tough, hard-nosed group,” he said. “On defense – physical, run to the ball. They had a great start to the game against Ohio. … A good football team that we definitely gotta prepare to go win.”
Kickoff is set for 3:30pm EST on Saturday. Michigan is clearly expected to win and clinch a bowl berth. But again, that’s quite a far cry from how we were speaking just a year ago…
What are your overall thoughts on the Michigan program? … Are we sure Moore is the right man to lead the Wolverines going forward???
