The year 2024 was always going to be weird for Michigan fans. Think about it. You’re coming off a national championship high, the kind of peak that makes you feel invincible, and then—poof—Jim Harbaugh heads to Los Angeles. Sherrone Moore steps in, the roster undergoes a massive facelift, and suddenly the u of m football schedule 2024 looks a lot more daunting than it did on paper twelve months ago.
Honestly, if you just look at the 8-5 record, you might think the season was a total wash. You'd be wrong. It was a rollercoaster of "wait, what just happened?" moments, from getting bullied at home by Texas to pulling off an absolute heist in Columbus. People like to talk about the "post-championship hangover," but Michigan’s 2024 season was more like a complex rebuilding project being done in the middle of a hurricane.
The Grind of the u of m football schedule 2024
Let's be real. The schedule was a gauntlet.
The season kicked off at the Big House with a 30-10 win over Fresno State, which felt... fine. But then week two happened. No. 3 Texas came to Ann Arbor and basically handed the Wolverines a reality check in a 31-12 loss. It was the first time in a long time the Big House felt vulnerable.
But Michigan didn't just fold. They pivoted.
That Wild September Stretch
After a bounce-back against Arkansas State, Michigan entered the "new look" Big Ten era. They hosted USC in a "Stripe Out" game that ended in a 27-24 thriller. Kalel Mullings was the hero there, proving that even if the passing game was struggling, Michigan could still ground and pound their way to a win. Then came Minnesota. Another 27-24 nail-biter. At 4-1, things looked okay, but the cracks were starting to show.
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- Aug 31: Fresno State (W, 30-10)
- Sept 7: Texas (L, 12-31)
- Sept 14: Arkansas State (W, 28-18)
- Sept 21: USC (W, 27-24)
- Sept 28: Minnesota (W, 27-24)
The Mid-Season Slump
October and early November were rough. Traveling to Washington for a national championship rematch didn't go as planned—a 27-17 loss in Seattle. Then a flat performance against Illinois (7-21). Even the win over Michigan State (24-17) felt like a struggle. When Oregon and Indiana handed them back-to-back losses, Michigan sat at 5-5. The sky was falling in Ann Arbor. Or so it seemed.
Why the Finish Changed Everything
If you stopped watching in mid-November, you missed the part where Sherrone Moore earned his keep.
Michigan absolutely dismantled Northwestern 50-6 on Senior Day. It was a "get right" game that set the stage for the most improbable win in recent memory.
The Columbus Heist
Going into Ohio Stadium as 20.5-point underdogs is basically being told you have no chance. The Buckeyes were ranked No. 2 and looked like a juggernaut. Instead, Michigan’s defense—led by Mason Graham and Josaiah Stewart—turned Columbus into a nightmare for Will Howard.
Dominic Zvada, who was basically the MVP of the season, nailed a 54-yarder and a 21-yard game-winner. Michigan won 13-10. Four in a row. In their house. It was the largest upset in the history of the rivalry.
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Ending on a High in Tampa
The reward for that grit was a trip to the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama. Again, Michigan was the underdog. Again, they didn't care. They forced three first-quarter turnovers and held on for a 19-13 victory. Freshman Jordan Marshall stepped up with 100 rushing yards, giving fans a glimpse of the future.
Basically, Michigan became the first team to beat Alabama twice in the same calendar year (Rose Bowl in January, ReliaQuest in December). Not bad for a "down year."
Key Players Who Kept the Ship Afloat
You can't talk about this season without mentioning the guys who stayed. While the offense was, frankly, inept at times—ranking near the bottom of the country in passing—the individual efforts were elite.
Dominic Zvada was a revelation. He went 26-of-27 on field goals. If he doesn't have a historic year, Michigan probably doesn't even make a bowl game. Colston Loveland also cemented his legacy, setting the program record for catches by a tight end in a single season with 56.
On the other side of the ball, Mason Graham was a unanimous All-American. He and Kenneth Grant were the reason Michigan stayed in games when the offense couldn't move the chains. Josaiah Stewart added 8.5 sacks, making life miserable for every quarterback on the u of m football schedule 2024.
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Assessing the Sherrone Moore Era
It’s easy to be a Monday morning quarterback. Some fans were calling for heads after the Indiana loss. But Moore managed to keep the locker room together through a three-game losing streak. That's hard to do at a place like Michigan where the pressure is a pressure cooker.
Winning all rivalry games (MSU, Ohio State) and a bowl game against Alabama in your first year? Most coaches would dream of that "failure."
The offense obviously needs a complete overhaul. Davis Warren, Alex Orji, and Jack Tuttle all had moments, but none of them could consistently stretch the field. Moving forward, finding a definitive answer at QB is the only way Michigan gets back to the College Football Playoff conversation.
What to Watch for Next
If you're looking at how to process the 2024 results, focus on the defensive retention. Most of the elite production came from underclassmen or juniors who have high NFL stock.
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: Michigan needs wide receiver depth and a veteran QB presence to bridge the gap.
- Track the Coaching Changes: With Kirk Campbell out, the new offensive coordinator's philosophy will define the 2025 season.
- Watch the Young Talent: Guys like Jordan Marshall and Zeke Berry proved they belong on the big stage during the bowl game.
The 2024 season wasn't a repeat of 2023, but it proved that the "Michigan Man" culture wasn't just a Jim Harbaugh thing. It’s baked into the bricks of Schembechler Hall.