What stands between Michigan defending their Big Ten, national championships

Michigan enters 2024 in a unique position.

After defeating Ohio State and winning the Big Ten Championship three years in a row and winning the College Football Playoff this past season, their national championship-winning head coach and quarterback have gone off to the NFL. Under first-year headman Sherrone Moore, they’ll look to establish a new identity under their new leadership.

The Wolverines’ Clayton Sayfie joined the On3 Roundtable to break down the factors that play into Michigan sustaining their previous level of success in 2024.

“I think that they’re going to lean on the strength of the team which is the defense, specifically the front seven I think is going to be really, really good,” Sayfie told On3’s Kaiden Smith. “I mean, potentially the top defensive tackle duo in the country, with Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham, and maybe the best corner in America, in Will Johnson and the talent around them — I really like the linebacking corps. I think they’re going to play to the special teams as well, and the offense has to give them enough.

“And I think the challenge here is, how up to speed can the offense get during fall camp and really after Week 1 against Fresno State, because Texas comes to town on September 7, [Texas] has a little more certainty as to what they’re going to be.”

Not only does Michigan have to cope with losing their head coach and a few of their offensive stars, but their departures coincide with the growth of the Big Ten Conference. Welcoming in the likes of UCLA, USC, Washington and Oregon, also provides added pressure on Moore’s group right out of the gates.

In 2023, Michigan’s defense ranked No. 1 nationally in total defense. They allowed 247.0 yards per game, while only letting just over one touchdown per game on average. Regardless of offensive personnel — the defensive effort gave the Wolverines an automatic advantage on offense as they were always playing to add to their lead in games, not maintain it.

“With this defense, they’re going to have a chance in every single game,” Sayfie continued. “And that makes it quite exciting, but it’s going to be different than last year. All of college football has changed.

“It’s not just Texas coming in. It’s USC, it’s going to Washington. It’s playing Oregon at home in November, and then obviously, you still have your your main-stay opponents, like Ohio State at the end of the year, so it’s going to be exciting.”