A look at IU football’s 2024 opponents: Week 10 — Michigan

With college football season starting to creep up, we’re running down Indiana’s schedule to preview all 12 opponents for 2024.

Reigning national champions Michigan visit Bloomington in November ahead of Indiana’s second bye week. But this Wolverines team will look a lot different than the group that blew out Washington in the national title game. Jim Harbaugh left for the Los Angeles Chargers, and offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore was elevated to head coach. His team, despite some roster turnover, is still expected to be strong.

Opponent: Michigan
Date/Time/TV: Saturday, November 9, TBA
Location: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Ind.
2023 record/postseason result: 15-0, 9-0 Big Ten, 26-0 win over Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game, 27-20 win over Alabama in the Rose Bowl, 34-13 win over Washington in the CFP National Championship

Returning production, offense: 27 percent (per Bill Connelly/ESPN) (132nd in the country out of 134)

Offensive outlook: Michigan’s offense ranked 14th in the country in scoring last year, but just 69th in total offense. And Moore’s unit lost a lot of key pieces from last year — quarterback J.J. McCarthy, running back Blake Corum, top wide receivers Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson, and all five offensive line starters moved on to the NFL. Kirk Campbell added offensive coordinator duties to his existing quarterbacks coach role, and he and Moore will have work to do with so much turnover. Some of that turnover, in fairness, was inevitable because of Michigan’s high return rate last season — much of the departed talent opted for one more chance at at a national championship over going pro.

UM’s starting quarterback remains uncertain, with as many as five players in the mix headed towards fall camp. Redshirt sophomore Alex Orji has displayed running ability in very limited game action, making him a candidate. Former Hoosier Jack Tuttle could also have a shot at the job.

The Wolverines have been a run-heavy offense in recent years, and that should continue with Moore’s oversight. Though Corum is gone, senior Donovan Edwards will still be one of the better running backs in the Big Ten. He rushed for 991 yards on 140 carries with seven touchdowns in 2022, but took a step back last year to 119 carries, 497 yards, and five touchdowns. But Edwards is talented, and he also contributes in the passing game. Look for redshirt senior Kalel Mullings to take on a bigger role in the backfield as well.

Junior tight end Colston Loveland is also an important returner — he was Michigan’s second-leading receiver with 649 yards last year, the most of any Big Ten tight end. He could be one of the top tight ends in the country this year. The rest of UM’s receiving corps is less experienced. Sophomore Semaj Morgan and junior Tyler Morris made some plays in limited action last year and could have expanded responsibilities this season.

Michigan’s stout offensive line was responsible for much of its offensive success the last few years, and regression from the new group could cause problems. Senior tackle Myles Hinton transferred in from Stanford ahead of last season and started five games, and he should be a crucial piece up front this year. Michigan will also lean on graduate student guard Josh Priebe, who transferred from Northwestern this offseason.

Returning production, defense: 53 percent (per Bill Connelly/ESPN) (99th in the country)

Defensive outlook: Michigan had the best defense in the country last year, and has finished no worse than 20th in the country in total defense since 2021. Moore turns the unit over to former Broncos, Ravens, and Giants defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale, his first collegiate job since 2003. Although the Wolverines saw some important pieces move on after last season, with just three full-time starters back, they have more returning on defense than offense.

UM lost three of its four leading tacklers from last year, with junior linebacker Ernest Hausmann (third-leading tackler) the one returnee from that group. Junior Maryland transfer Jaishawn Barham is a nice addition in the middle and could wreak havoc this season.

Michigan has two All-Big Ten defensive tackles back in juniors Mason Graham (7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, three QB hurries, one forced fumble) and Kenneth Grant (five TFLs, 3.5 sacks, six QB hurries). The team lost more on the edge, though senior outside linebacker Josaiah Stewart (8.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, three QB hurries) and junior OLB Derrick Moore (6 TFLs, five sacks, four QB hurries, one forced fumble) are good players stepping into larger roles.

All-Big Ten safety Rod Moore suffered a knee injury during spring practice and underwent surgery, and is expected to miss much of the season. That’s a blow to one of the best secondaries in the country last year, which also lost All-Big Ten nickel back Mike Sainristil. But the Wolverines have All-American cornerback Will Johnson (four interceptions, one pick-six, four pass breakups) back for his junior year, and he could be one of the top defensive backs in the Big Ten again. Senior safety Makari Paige (two PBUs, one QB hurry) is a good player, but he’ll have have less cover with Moore out. Junior Michigan State transfer Jaden Mangham (four interceptions, three PBUs) could play a big role stepping in for Moore.

Special teams outlook: Kicker James Turner moved on after 2023, and Moore brought in junior Dominic Zvada from the transfer portal out of Arkansas State to take over. Zvada went 17 for 22 on field goals and 41 for 41 on extra points last season. Senior punter Tommy Doman is back after he averaged a solid 44.3 yards per punt last year. Morgan handled kickoff returns last year, though at just 15.5 yards per return, Michigan will hope he can break off some more big plays this season. Morris could also factor into the return game.

Overall Outlook: A step back is likely for Michigan from its perfect 2023 campaign. But UM will still be good in 2024, and one of the best teams in the Big Ten. Moore proved his coaching mettle on several occasions last season, stepping in as acting head coach while Harbaugh was suspended. There’s a lot of talent across the Wolverine roster, but they’ll be tested early and often — they have the 10th-hardest schedule in the country, and sixth-hardest in the Big Ten. The way Michigan’s offense performs, with so many new faces in bigger roles, will determine its ceiling for 2024.

Previous opponent outlooks:

Florida International

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