Wolverine Digest

Big Ten analysts predict Michigan Football's fate in 2025, and it's not great

Big Ten analysts predict Michigan will be out of the conference championship and College Football Playoff hunt in 2025.
Chris Breiler|
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Although hopes are high that Michigan can rebound from an 8-5 record last year, the Wolverines enter the 2025 campaign as a bit of a mystery. There's no question that Michigan made significant improvements to the coaching staff and roster (mainly at QB) during the offseason, but the Wolverines also lost significant talent to the NFL Draft - including three first-round picks (Mason Graham, Colston Loveland, and Kenneth Grant) and cornerback Will Johnson.

So when it comes to the 2025 campaign, it's really anybody's guess at this point as to where the Wolverines will ultimately finish. On Friday, BTN analysts Jake Butt and Adam Breneman released their predictions for how the Big Ten will shake out, and it doesn't necessary present a ringing endorsement for Michigan's outlook in 2025.

Butt, a former tight end at Michigan, has the Wolverines finishing the year at No. 5 in the Big Ten, trailing Oregon, Illinois, Penn State, and Ohio State. Breneman, who played football at Penn State, has the Wolverines finishing at No. 7, trailing Indiana, Illinois, Oregon, Ohio State, and Penn State.

While their predictions are slightly different, both analysts think Michigan will be out of the conference championship and playoff picture altogether.

Although most Michigan fans would agree that this would be a disappointing outcome, I'm not sure any of those fans view the Wolverines as a legitimate championship contender in 2025. Not yet, anyway. With freshman QB Bryce Underwood projected to be the starter, along with some other younger pieces who are working their way toward becoming experienced vets, it seems like most Michigan fans are approaching this season with cautious optimism.

But it's also well noted that the standards are incredibly high in Ann Arbor. Coming off a magical run from 2021-2023 where Michigan won three consecutive conference championships, had three consecutive appearances in the CFP, and won the national championship in 2023, missing out on postseason play won't be tolerated for long.

Here's a quick look at Michigan's 2025 schedule:

  1. Aug 30: vs New Mexico State
  2. Sep 6: at Oklahoma
  3. Sep 13: vs Central Michigan
  4. Sep 20: at Nebraska
  5. Oct 4: vs Wisconsin
  6. Oct 11: at USC
  7. Oct 18: vs Washington
  8. Oct 25: at Michigan State
  9. Nov 1: vs Purdue
  10. Nov 15: at Northwestern
  11. Nov 22: at Maryland
  12. Nov 29: vs Ohio State

- Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI -

More Michigan News:

Michigan Football to open 2025 season with back-to-back primetime games

Michigan Football makes top list for elite wide receiver, decision date announced

Bryce Underwood shreds Buckeyes in EA Sports College Football 26 trailer

Michigan in recruiting battle with Ohio State, Tennessee for five-star prospect

For additional coverage of University of Michigan athletics:

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Chris Breiler
CHRIS BREILER

Christopher Breiler launched Winged Helmet Media and began covering the Michigan Football program in an unofficial capacity in 2017. He then joined Wolverine Digest as part of the FanNation network in 2021 as a contributing writer, where he served as both a writer and a photographer on game days. In 2024, he took over as the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines On SI. His love for Michigan Football brought him into the industry, and his passion for being a content creator has led to some amazing experiences along the way.

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