Greg McElroy believes nine wins would be a solid first season for Sherrone Moore

             

Greg McElroy, host of Always College Football, recently took a moment to break down his expectations for the rapidly approaching 2024 season. When it comes to the defending national champions, the Michigan Wolverines, there is a lot to like. However, McElroy does not see them on the same trajectory from a season ago.

“I look at their roster turnover this year, and my expectations are not as high as they were a year ago,” started McElroy. “Granted, I love their defense, love what they have in the secondary, [and] love it to have along the defensive line. I think they’re gonna be excellent on that side of the ball. But I do have legitimate questions with what they bring back offensively; about what they have at the quarterback position. I think they’re gonna run the ball pretty well, their receivers are going to be underrated, [and] they have an elite tight end, but I do worry about them creating balance in the passing game.”

The Wolverines are one of three teams from last season’s College Football Playoff that experienced turnover at the head coaching position, as Sherrone Moore now takes over with Jim Harbaugh in the NFL. Only they and fellow Big Ten member Washington lost their head coach and starting quarterback. The loss of those two pieces is what has McElroy a bit concerned.

According to McElroy, Michigan keeping its CFP streak alive would exceed expectations, in terms of season expectations. So, what would constitute a good season in the college football experts’ eyes?

“So, I think an incredible season for Michigan this year would be to make the playoffs at 10-3. Maybe they get to the Big Ten championship game and lose,” said McElroy. “That would still be an incredible season, especially knowing some of the departures from the turnover that Michigan’s experienced this past season. A solid season for Michigan would be 9-3. Now you’re going to say, how can you possibly think that way?

“Well, I look at their schedule. Right now, on a neutral site, if they played today, I would take Texas, Oregon, and Ohio State. Well, they play all three. Two of the three are at home, which makes life a little bit easier. But either way, I look at Michigan, and I think losing to Ohio State, Texas, [and] Oregon. There’s no shame in that, especially given what those teams bring back and some of the departures that Michigan has to replace.”

While Michigan does have the talent to be competitive, it will have a brutal schedule in 2024. Outside of their typical Big Ten opponents, the Wolverines will have to do battle with newcomers Washington and USC. The rematch of last year’s national championship will take place in Ann Arbor. Plus, Michigan will host another semifinalist, the Texas Longhorns, who are primed for another big college football year.

With the great and good covered, McElroy turned his attention to what a bad season for the Wolverines would look like. In his eyes, the margin between a good and disappointing season for Michigan is razor thin; one-loss razor thin.

“A disappointing season for Michigan will be 8-4 or worse,” said McElroy. “OK, you lose the aforementioned games. Those are games that are going to be toss-up games; you’re going to be an underdog. But a disappointing season would be to lose those three and lose a game that you don’t expect. Like a game against Michigan State, you lose a game on the road at Washington or at Illinois. I don’t think it’s likely, by the way, but certainly possible… Maybe you lose a game at home to USC. That would be a disappointing season.”