For decades, the Big Ten was referred to as the Big Two and the Little Eight.
It was Ohio State and Michigan, which didn’t change that much even as the conference expanded by adding traditional powers Penn State and Nebraska.
In this era of paying athletes, super conferences and the transfer portal, the Big Ten is challenging the SEC for national supremacy. There are 18 teams, and entering the 2025 season it appears the Big Ten is now the Big Three and the Little 15.
And Michigan, which won the national championship just two years ago, isn’t considered one of the Big Three.
When the preseason polls are released, it’s highly likely that Penn State and defending national champion Ohio State will be in the Top 5, and Oregon the Top 10. Michigan will likely be in the Top 25, but perhaps behind long-time Big Ten also-rans Illinois and Indiana.
The over-under on wins this season is 10.5 for Penn State, Ohio State and Oregon, according to FanDuel. Michigan is at 8.5, same as Indiana. Illinois, Iowa, Southern Cal, Nebraska and Washington are at 7.5.
So the Wolverines are expected to be more toward the middle than the top of the conference. Could it be that they're underrated? Last season wasn’t successful overall, but Michigan did go out in a blaze of glory.
The victory at Ohio State was epic. Michigan destroyed Alabama in a bowl game, not exactly the norm.
The Wolverines had a number of issues last season. None was bigger than at quarterback. But Michigan signed Belleville High School five-star Bryce Underwood, arguably the best QB recruit ever from this state.
And if Underwood isn’t ready, the Wolverines picked Fresno State’s Mikey Keene in the transfer portal. He led Fresno State to the Top 25 for parts of 2023, and put up solid numbers last season with little supporting cast. He replaced an injured Dillion Gabriel early during the season as a freshman and helped Central Florida to a 9-4 mark.
Both are much better options than what Sherrone Moore had at the position during his initial season as UM head coach. Running back Justice Haynes, a transfer from Alabama, averaged nearly six yards per carry in 2024. He is a potential star. Also, returnee Jordan Marshall seems poised for a breakout campaign after a big bowl game vs. the Tide.
The Wolverines have question marks on the offensive line and at receiver. Obviously, it’s the great unknown what new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey brings to the table.
But be certain about this: The Wolverines will be better offensively. It’s just a matter of to what degree. Certainly their passing game can’t be worse.
Michigan's defense lost its star power to the NFL Draft, but should be sound given that this is decorated coordinator Wink Martindale’s second year. He did a terrific job of implementing his system in ‘24 after a rocky start.
The key number is two, as in having no more than two losses. Seven teams entered the 12-team College Football Playoff with two losses in 2024, one of whom took home the championship: Ohio State.
Michigan has a strong non-conference gut-check at Oklahoma. The Sooners have arguably the top quarterback-running back combo from the transfer portal in John McTeer (Washington State) and Jaydn Ott (Cal). But the Wolverines don’t face Oregon, Penn State, Indiana, Illinois or Iowa in Big Ten play.
Until the final two years of Jim Harbaugh’s tenure, Michigan was, for many years, notably overhyped in the preseason.
The script has been flipped, and the Wolverines have as good a chance to surprise as disappoint in 2025.