Last year, many argued the Wolverines faced a soft schedule en route to a National Championship. Today, we’ll predict how each of Michigan’s 2024 opponents will fare this season:
“They haven’t played anybody!” seemed to be the argument everyone made against Michigan last season on its road to the National Championship. While Michigan’s 2023 schedule did leave something to be desired, there’s very little room for error in 2024.
In the new era of the Big Ten, the Wolverines will face three powers from out west in USC , Washington and Oregon , in addition to its annual bout with Ohio State . A matchup with Texas in Week 2 also presents an early season challenge.
Today, we’ll go through each opponent on Michigan’s schedule and break down how each team should fare, showing just how tough the slate is for Michigan this fall.
Fresno State
Fresno State was one of the better Group of Five teams in the country last year, finishing the season 9-4. The Bulldogs will be under new leadership this year after Jeff Tedford stepped down as head coach this summer, giving way to Tim Skipper. They still have talent and a light schedule in the Mountain West , but will stumble against Michigan, UNLV, Washington State and UCLA .
Prediction: 8-4
Texas
The Longhorns will be one of the nation’s best teams after being in the College Football Playoff last year. They face a tough non-conference opponent in Michigan early in the season and will be adjusting to the rigors of an SEC schedule. Still, they are built to last with Heisman contender Quinn Ewers. Their lone loss will come against Georgia on Oct. 19.
Prediction: 11-1
Arkansas State
The Red Wolves finished .500 in the regular season in their third year under former Tennessee head coach Butch Jones. Arkansas State is expected to take a step forward in the Sun Belt this year, but faces two tough non-conference opponents in Michigan and Iowa State . Those inevitable losses though won’t keep it from getting over the hump this year
Prediction: 7-5
USC
The Trojans have four preseason AP top-25 teams on their schedule in LSU , Michigan, Penn State and Notre Dame . USC does get Penn State and Notre Dame at home, but might have some trouble with road games against Washington, Maryland and Minnesota in the middle of the season. Lincoln Riley’s seat will be warm this offseason after USC loses to each of its four ranked opponents and get rudely welcomed to the Big Ten.
Prediction: 8-4
Minnesota
Minnesota has enough talent to be a sleeper in the Big Ten this year, but it’ll be facing a tough schedule headlined by Michigan and Penn State. It also gets North Carolina in Week 1, along with a couple other tough Big Ten opponents, but it’ll pull off home games over Iowa and Maryland . I have the Gophers ultimately losing to Michigan, USC, Rutgers , Penn State and Wisconsin .
Prediction: 7-5
Washington
Things are night and day from where they were a year ago in Washington, as the team’s roster and coaching staff look totally different. The Huskies will also face the challenge of a relatively tough schedule in the Big Ten, not to mention the Apple Cup with Washington State in Week 3. Ultimately, I think Washington struggles in year one of Big Ten play, falling to Michigan, Iowa, USC, Penn State and Oregon.
Prediction: 7-5
Illinois
Illinois takes on three of the Big Ten’s superpowers in Michigan, Oregon and Penn State, while also hosting No. 22 ranked Kansas in Week 2. The Illini also have some tough road tasks against Nebraska and Rutgers. Illinois will be one of the Big Ten’s weakest team this year, meaning the pressure will be on Bret Bielema.
Prediction: 3-9
Michigan State
It couldn’t have gone worse for Michigan State in 2023, but things will be looking up in 2024. Jonathan Smith should steer the Spartans in the right direction, and the ceiling might be decently high if Aidan Chiles proves to be the real deal at quarterback. A tough Big Ten schedule keeps them honest, though, with losses to Maryland, Ohio State , Oregon, Iowa, Michigan and Rutgers .
Prediction: 6-6
Oregon
Oregon is set up to thrive in its first season in the Big Ten thanks to its combination of talent and the schedule. The Ducks will face Boise State in Week 2, which could be tough, but they also face two ranked Big Ten opponents in Michigan and Ohio State. I think Oregon is able to beat Michigan in Ann Arbor while also staving off Ohio State at home for a perfect regular season.
Prediction: 12-0
Indiana
In its first season post-Tom Allen, Indiana might still be at the bottom of the barrel in the Big Ten. Curt Cignetti has the potential to get the Hoosiers on the right track after having success at James Madison, but that’s not going to happen this year, despite a relatively light schedule this year. Indiana starts the year 3-1, but goes winless the rest of the way. The battle for the Old Oaken Bucket against Purdue will be interesting though.
Prediction: 3-9
Northwestern
Coming off a surprising 8-5 campaign a year ago, things are looking up for Northwestern . The Wildcats will face Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa, while also going on the road to play Maryland and Washington. They also get Duke in Week 2, which should be a good early challenge. Ultimately, Northwestern falls to Washington, Iowa, Ohio State and Michigan. However, it might give Michigan a run for its money, reminiscent of Illinois in 2022.
Prediction: 8-4
Ohio State
The Buckeyes enter the season with national championship aspirations yet again and are the preseason No. 2 ranked team. Ohio State travels to both Oregon and Penn State, which should both be very tough games, but does face Michigan at home. Despite all the offseason hype, I think Ohio State underwhelms again this year, dropping its games to Oregon and Michigan.
Prediction: 10-2