Paul Finebaum explains the uneasy road ahead for Michigan, Sherrone Moore

There was always a sense that last season may have been the last for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan. Now that it officially was, though, the Wolverines have plenty to prepare themselves for as they’ll be under new management next season.

Paul Finebaum took a look at what’s ahead for the maize & blue now during ‘Get Up’ on Thursday. While he agreed that the promotion of OC Sherrone Moore should be a done deal, he reminded everyone that he would be taking over a job that’s much different than what it was when it was last available in 2014.

“Well, more than likely, a week from now? They will make the decision to elevate Sherrone Moore, who really did a fine job. But the issue is what’s going on around him,” said Finebaum.

The circumstances have changed in Ann Arbor as of late beyond just losing Harbaugh. Michigan will enter next season, in a new-look Big Ten as well, as the hunted considering that they’re the defending champions. Add in who is on their schedule, including their matchup in The Game, and Finebaum sees them having their hands full in 2024, regardless of who the new coach is.

“Don’t forget. The Big Ten is not what it was this year,” said Finebaum. “You’ve got those four schools coming over from the Pac-12.”

“On top of that? Here are the two things that Sherrone Moore will probably have to worry about. Second week of the season, at the Big House? They’re playing Texas, which was in the final four as everyone knows. Texas is going to be one of the top two or three teams in the country,” Finebaum said. “At the end of the season? They go to Columbus and this is not this year’s Ohio State team. This Ohio State team has just loaded up, especially in the portal. They picked up Alabama’s best defensive player, they’ve got Ole Miss’ best running back. They also picked up a future quarterback from Alabama. Ryan Day will likely be either number one or number two in the preseason. You don’t want to lose to Ohio State in your first season at Michigan. Jim Harbaugh knows all about that.”

Harbaugh leaves his alma mater with a record of 89-25 (.781) as head coach. His last three were the best of his near decade-long tenure. Those years include a mark of 30-3 (.909) and feature three straight wins over the Buckeyes, three consecutive Big Ten titles, a trio of berths into the College Football Playoff, and one national title. It was a high note for him to leave on too with an undefeated, championship-winning campaign being his final one this past fall.

Still, this transition, while likely to be a seamless one on its face, won’t be simple for whoever takes it next. There will be a lot to follow and live up to during, as Finebaum noted, a season that’ll have some significant challenges for the reigning champions to overcome.