Following a 24-13 debacle of a loss to Oklahoma, Michigan has to hit the reset button on the season. Before the year started, many deemed a successful season as a College Football Playoff (CFP) appearance. Between the relatively easy schedule, revamped offense and returning defensive production, this seemed like a realistic goal.
But after that loss, is it still realistic that Michigan can make the CFP this year?
To the positive, the Wolverines are about to enter a much more manageable portion of the schedule.
Central Michigan doesn’t pose much of a threat tomorrow with or without Sherrone Moore. Nebraska, Wisconsin, USC and Washington could all be tricky games, but they are all a notable step down from the talent level that Oklahoma was, at least on defense. After that, the Wolverines face off against the bottom of the barrel in the Big Ten this season in Michigan State, Purdue, Northwestern and Maryland.
Regardless of how bad the Wolverines looked in Norman, there’s a world in which the offensive line improves throughout the season while Bryce Underwood gets more and more confident. The defense has also played well below expectations to date this season, but there is still ample time to turn things around.
In the expanded playoff, 10-2 in the Big Ten likely secures a spot in the 12-team field. It’s certainly not impossible for the Wolverines to go 9-1 or better in their last 10 games.
To the negative, the aforementioned offensive line has looked disastrous through two games. Michigan couldn’t get the ground game going against Oklahoma with the exception of one 75-yard touchdown run by Justice Haynes. Reinforcements aren’t on the way either, as the injury bug has bitten the group in the form of Andrew Babalola and Giovanni El-Hadi. Internal development is the only hope.
Wink Martindale’s defense has been largely disappointing to date, as they had no answer for John Mateer last weekend. Experienced players routinely found themselves out of position and made mistakes they simply can’t make to win a ranked matchup like that one.
Lastly — and most importantly — the coaching has been downright disappointing across the board. Chip Lindsey’s scheme seemed promising against New Mexico, but crashed back to earth against Oklahoma. Wink Martindale appears to have reverted back to his play calling from the first half of 2024 where he runs far too many exotic blitzes, leaving the backend open for busts. Moore continues proving to be on the extreme conservative end of the spectrum when it comes to stay-or-go decisions. The team has been flat out undisciplined through two games.
Like most fans, my expectations for the 2025 season were severely diminished with the way the Wolverines lost in Norman. I expected a loss, but I didn’t anticipate the manner in which Michigan lost. Can the Wolverines still make the CFP? Possibly, but I wouldn’t say that’s the expectation anymore.
Let us know what you think in the comments below.
