Wolverine Digest

Where Michigan football ranks in post-spring Big Ten Power Rankings

Is this a fair ranking for the Wolverines?
Trent Knoop|
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In this story:

Michigan Wolverines

After finishing the 2024 season on a high note with wins over Ohio State and Alabama, Michigan football has a chance to make some noise in 2025. The Wolverines lost some key players from last season's team like Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Colston Loveland, and Will Johnson, but Sherrone Moore recruited well this offseason in both the high school ranks and the transfer portal.

With what appears to be a much weaker schedule than in 2024, what's bound to be a better QB situation, and retaining the coaching staff -- analysts are liking Michigan to bounce back in 2025. CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli came out with a post-spring Big Ten Power Rankings, and he has Michigan slotted in at No. 4 in the conference.

Think of how horrible things went for the Wolverines last season. The offense was a cruel joke, and the QB situation was enough to make a MAC team blush. Yet, despite all of it, the Wolverines won eight games, including wins over Ohio State and Alabama. Yes, the team loses some studs on defense, but if the offense improves and the defense retools successfully, how far away is this team from winning 10 or more games?
Tom Fornelli (CBS Sports)

Michigan doesn't get either Penn State or Oregon in 2025. The Wolverines also don't face either Illinois or Indiana. In the Big Ten, Michigan faces Nebraska, USC, Wisconsin, and Washington -- all four teams were middling in 2024. If Bryce Underwood is as advertised and the Michigan defense is as good as it was last season, 10 wins is a real possibility for the Wolverines in Year 2 of Sherrone Moore.

Here's the full Power Ranking:

1. Ohio State
2. Penn State
3. Oregon
4. Michigan
5. Illinois
6. Indiana
7. Iowa
8. USC
9. Nebraska
10. Washington
11. Minnesota
12. UCLA
13. Rutgers
14. Wisconsin
15. Michigan State
16. Northwestern
17. Maryland
18. Purdue

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

More Michigan News:

Joel Klatt on Michigan football's latest sign-stealing saga: 'Something's coming and it's likely very large'

Where Michigan football, Ohio State, Oregon, and the entire Big Ten rank in latest post-spring re-rank

Prominent analyst gives the Minnesota Vikings zero chance with J.J. McCarthy as the starting QB

For additional coverage of University of Michigan athletics:

Published
Trent Knoop
TRENT KNOOP

Trent began writing and covering Michigan athletics back in 2020. He became a credentialed member of the media in 2021. Trent began writing with Sports Illustrated in 2023 and became the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines On SI during the 2025 football season. Trent also serves as the Publisher of Baylor Bears on SI. His other bylines have appeared on Maryland on SI, Wisconsin on SI, and across the USA TODAY Sports network. Trent’s love of sports and being able to tell stories to fans is what made him get into writing.

Share on XFollow @trentknoop
Home/Football