4 bold predictions for Michigan football in 2024

It feels like spring practices just finished for Michigan football, but the reality is that was over a month ago. The Wolverines are now a couple of months from the start of fall camp and it’s glorious.

We’ll be back watching Michigan football in the Big House before we know it. That first game against Fresno State, as well as the massive tilt against Texas the next week can’t get here soon enough.

Michigan has questions to answer. But the Wolverines should also have a top-10 team, an elite defense, and a running game that could be even better than last season.

Looking ahead, here are four bold predictions for Michigan football in the 2024 season.

Donovan Edwards has 1,500 total yards

Call me crazy, but I’m all in on Donovan Edwards this season. The five-star prospect coming out of high school according to 247 Sports has had some incredible moments. He even had a great stretch of games in late 2022 after Blake Corum went out with an injury. He had three straight games with runs of over 50 yards.

That’s not easy to do. It’s going to be interesting to see how Edwards does as the starter. That late run in 2022 was the only time we saw that at Michigan.

But if the spring game was any indicator, Edwards is ready. He knows that he needs a big season to improve his draft stock. With consistent carries and hopefully more targets in the passing game, my prediction is that Edwards sets career highs in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and receiving yards.

1,500 yards from scrimmage would be a big leap but Edwards is more than capable.

Alex Orji starts every game for Michigan football

Jack Tuttle and Davis Warren are serious contenders to start for the Wolverines. Head coach Sherrone Moore said that Tuttle was healthy and ready for fall camp earlier this week.

The competition will go full-tilt in fall camp. It might even spill over into the season but I just have a feeling that Alex Ori will be Michigan football’s starting quarterback.

Orji will have to improve as a thrower. He’ll have to improve as a decision-maker but he also brings the running aspect. Michigan hasn’t had a true running quarterback in a long time but it fits with this team.

As a runner, it also makes your quarterback more likely to get hurt. I do think we’ll see more than one quarterback play at times, especially early in the year, but my bold prediciton for the quarterback position is simply that Orji wins the job and starts every game in the regular season.

Michigan will have a top-5 scoring defense

This prediction probably isn’t that bold. Michigan football led the country in scoring defense last season and I think they have a good shot to do that again.

The Wolverines have ranked eighth or better in scoring defense the past three seasons, which has been a vital part of their success. Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Will Johnson, Derrick Moore, and others lead a defense that has plenty of pieces back.

Ohio State is stout on defense. But I’d take Michigan football’s defense over the Buckeyes. Wink Martindale is making the transition to college but I feel like it will be more difficult for teams to adjust to him than the other way around.

Michigan might have the No. 1 spot anyway, but with the challenging schedule, teams will score more points than last season on the Wolverines. Not by much though. This defense will be elite again.

Michigan football will win 10 games and make the playoff

The Wolverines have a brutal schedule. USC and Washington in addition to Oregon, Texas, and Ohio State make it quite the challenge. Even the first game against Fresno State could be more difficult than some are expecting.

That being said, Michigan might have the best defense in college fooball again. That will keep the Wolverines in plenty of games. Add a running game that features Edwards/Orji and Kalel Mullings, plus what I believe will be one of the, if not the best O-line in the Big Ten, despite losing all five starters, and you can win a lot of games.

Orji will have to develop as a passer if Michigan is going to beat Ohio State on the road. That’s by far the most difficult test — in part because the Ohio State defense is nasty.

Winning in Colombus will be tough. But I don’t see Michigan football losing more than one game at home this season. Heck, they could easily win them all, which would mean beating Texas, USC, and Oregon.

Oregon and Texas are 50/50 games and I’m going to say Michigan wins at least one to finish 10-2. OSU probably gets Michigan this season but if the Wolverines beat Oregon, we could be in line for a rematch in Indy.

Either way, winning 10 games in the regular season will guarantee Michigan football a fourth straight berth in the College Fooball Playoff.

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