Michigan's Perfect Season

What is next for the Wolverines?

Michigan’s 2023-2024 season was nothing short of perfect. They defeated their biggest rivals, won the Big 10 title, and triumphed over Alabama in the playoffs. They went into the national championship as 14-0, and continued their domination right away.

This game had huge importance for the Wolverines. Many of their key players were seniors, meaning that this game would be their last chance at greatness.

Right away, it was clear that Michigan came to play. Their first drive was extraordinary. They easily tore through the Washington defense, and established the run early. Then, backup running back Donovan Edwards evaded a tackle, and accelerated past the defense, giving the Wolverines an early score. Edwards had struggled this season, despite his high expectations coming into 2023. His touchdown was therefore very nice to see.

Washington responded well, and had a nice drive into the red-zone. However, Michigan’s defense continued to be dominant, and stifled the Huskies, forcing them to settle for a field goal.

Then, with the ball back, Michigan wanted to put Washington on their heels. Donovan Edwards was not done yet, as he broke away again, for a 46 yard score.

Michigan’s defense kept up their stellar play, and this time Washington couldn’t score at all. Then, superstar RB Blake Corum broke off a huge 59 yard run. In just the first quarter, the Michigan running backs accounted for 3 of the 4 longest runs in CFP history. At this point, it looked as though the Wolverines would run away with the game. However, they were unable to fully capitalize, and had to settle for a field goal.

For the rest of the first half, Michigan’s offense struggled. Repeated punts gave momentum to the Husky offense, and they were able to score a touchdown before the half. Washington would also be getting the ball after the half, and at this point, it looked as though the Wolverines might be about to lose their lead.

However, on the first play of the second half, the Wolverines got pressure, tipped Penix’s pass, and the star sophomore Will Johnson came down with the INT. This was huge for Michigan, as their drive started in Washington territory.

But yet again, the offense couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity, and had to settle for a field goal. Washington responded with a field goal. Then, the next 6 possessions of the game resulted in 6 punts.

Michigan’s offense finally turned on again after a huge play, when McCarthy connected with Colston Loveland for a 41 yard gain. In signature fashion, Blake Corum finished the drive with a huge touchdown run, in which he evaded numerous tackles from the defense. Time and time again, Corum seemed to find that endzone at the perfect time, when Michigan most needed a score.

Washington was down two scores, and they were in desperation mode, as time was ticking. They managed to make their way into Wolverine territory. Then, Penix overthrew a pass, and captain Mike Sainristil picked it off, effectively winning the game for the Wolverines. He took the ball 80 yards down the field, resulting in an instant red-zone possession for Michigan, and Blake Corum pounded the ball in, for his final touchdown in a Michigan uniform.

In 144 years of Michigan football, this team was likely the best of them. Having overcome so much adversity, so many scandals, the Wolverines didn’t let it get to their heads. They stayed focused on their goal, and didn’t let anything stop them.

At the end of the 2022 season, Blake Corum was draft eligible, and was coming off a record-breaking season. He easily could’ve left Michigan and gone onto a successful NFL career, but he didn’t. He felt there was unfinished business. He came back to win a national championship. And then, a year later, holding up the trophy, he declared that “Business is Finished.”

The narrative of Blake Corum, along with other dedicated Michigan seniors who chose to remain with the team, is encapsulated by the iconic mantra in Michigan football: "Those who stay will be champions.”

The turnaround of the Michigan football program is something remarkable. In 2020, they went 2-4, and Jim Harbaugh was on the verge of being fired. The next season, against all odds, they beat Ohio State and made it to the CFP for the first time. In 2022, they had higher expectations. Again beating Ohio State, they went undefeated, and made their return to the playoff. In a shocking defeat against TCU, the players vowed that they would be back. And here they were, a year later, hoisting the National Championship trophy.

So what’s next for the program? There are still many questions:

Who will be the Head Coach in 2024? It’s no secret that Jim Harbaugh has interest in leaving for the NFL. He just recently met with the LA Chargers. So what would it mean for the program if he left? Unfortunately, if Harbaugh were to leave, we could expect several recruits to de-commit from the program, a trend that we’ve seen with the departures of Lincoln Riley, Urban Meyer, and recently, Nick Saban.

However, if Harbaugh did leave, the Wolverines are lucky to have an excellent replacement: Offensive Coordinator, Sherrone Moore, was the interim Head Coach of the Wolverines for 6 games this season, in the wake of Harbaugh’s suspensions. In these 6 games, he went 6-0, defeating arch-rivals Ohio State, and a victory against Penn State in Happy Valley.

What will the team look like next year? Well, the simple answer is that it’ll be very different. Michigan’s two best players, JJ McCarthy and Blake Corum, are both leaving to pursue NFL careers. Additionally, Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson are graduating, along with almost the entire offensive line. And that’s just the offense.

Defensively, Michigan will lose both starting linebackers, Michael Barrett and Junior Colson. They will also lose key edge rusher Braeden McGregor, and the supremely athletic DT Kris Jenkins. Their biggest defensive loss will be Mike Sainristil, who was captain and leader of the defense for the past years.

So what will the roster look like in 2024? Obviously, the most important question is who will be the Quarterback? With McCarthy gone, there is no clear answer, but many are guessing that Alex Orji will end up taking the job. Orji is a tall and athletic player, whose running ability is similar to Jalen Milroe. Throughout the season, Michigan used him occasionally, and he broke off a big run in a key moment against Ohio State. However, he is extremely untested, and no one has seen him throw the ball yet.

Blake Corum will be a huge loss, but luckily, the talented Donovan Edwards is staying with the Wolverines for his final season. His speed and experience will be huge for a really young team next year. The offensive line will look totally different as well, and we must expect a decline in that area. Colston Loveland will become the most experienced pass-catcher on the offense. I expect him to have a really big role next season. At WR, the Wolverines are very very thin now. Semaj Morgan and Tyler Morris will be the key WRs. They both showed potential last season, but haven’t had a ton of reps. Defensively, Michigan will recover, because they were so deep at almost every position.

The 2024 season will be a different college football from what we’ve ever seen. The introduction of Washington, Oregon, USC, and UCLA to the Big 10 will be totally new. Additionally, the expanded 12-team playoff takes away some importance to the regular season. For example, a 2-loss Penn State team would’ve made it this year, despite having what they’d consider an unsuccessful season.

This season was special for the Wolverines. There will probably never be another team like this. There won’t be another Ohio State/Michigan game like this. Growing up as a Michigan fan, I never got to experience a truly great Michigan team. My dad had seen great Michigan teams in his life, and had always wished that I’d be able to see one too. It’s bittersweet to end this way, having come off such a great season, but knowing it will never be the same.