Michigan football returns to action this weekend!
Most football programs have already had their spring game, but the Michigan Wolverines will take the field this Saturday for a nationally televised contest between the Maize and the Blue teams. It will be the first time the Wolverines have touched the field in the Big House since Rod Moore intercepted Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord to seal the win over the Buckeyes.
Since then, the Wolverines have had an extremely eventful last five months. The team made the College Football Playoff, won the National Championship, and announced Sherrone Moore the head coach as Jim Harbaugh exited for the NFL.
The first glimpse of the 2024 season is now upon us with the spring game, and here are all the details you need to know:
Maize Team vs. Blue Team
- Time: Noon ET — Saturday, April 20th
- TV: FOX
- Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Weather: 40 degrees, partly cloudy
The new era of Michigan Football is upon us, not just for the coaching changes that have come in Ann Arbor. Several positional battles will spotlight the weekend’s intrasquad matchup including the most important position on the field: quarterback. Alex Orji is the odds-on favorite to be the signal caller, but he has competition from Jayden Denegal, seventh-year Jack Tuttle, true freshman Jadyn Davis, and the longest-tenured quarterback in the room, Davis Warren.
We’ll also see an entirely new offensive line for the Wolverines as all five starters have moved on with hopes of hearing their names called in the NFL Draft . Battles at center, the tackle positions, and more will be important to watch as they line up against a formidable defensive line that is stacked with talent.
Fans may also just figure out what the wide receiving corps will look like. Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson are on to the next level and two others have entered the transfer portal. Fredrick Moore, Semaj Morgan, and Tyler Morris are the favorites to take over, but Peyton O’Leary and Kendrick Bell should have a chance to show what they have in a room that needs some depth.
The opportunity to see new schemes and philosophies from offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell and Wink Martindale will be crucial as well. Expectation is that they will run something similar to what we have been used to over the last couple of seasons under Jim Harbaugh and his many assistants, but potentially they’ll have a different wrinkle that was unexpected that will see an early glimpse of.
There’s also an important battle happening at safety after the injury of Rod Moore, as well as the second cornerback slot. Expect to see plenty of Zeke Berry, Quentin Johnson, and Brandyn Hillman who are in a tight battle for nickel corner and safety. Meanwhile, Ja’Den McBurrow, Jyaire Hill, Kody Jones, and Keshaun Harris should be showing out for a chance to line up opposite superstar Will Johnson.