CBS Sports isn’t exactly thinking big things are on the horizon for Michigan football, but apparently, ESPN (surprisingly) is.
On Friday, the ‘worldwide leader’ put out wise bets to take across college football now that the season is starting, and not only did the Wolverines make the list, they made it in a category that probably very few people think is possible at this juncture.
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Ohio State, coming off of the national championship, is the offseason hype beast. So is Penn State, as the Nittany Lions attempt to replicate the same formula set by Michigan and OSU. Oregon appears to be reloading. USC and Nebraska appear to be on the rise. Yet, ESPN says that a good bet would be to take the Wolverines to win the Big Ten, especially given the number associated currently.
Michigan to win the Big Ten (+850)
The Wolverines closed last season with three straight wins, including impressive performances at Ohio State and against Alabama. They should use that momentum this season with a deep group of pass rushers and a secondary that could be among the best in the country.
Michigan’s schedule sets up well for a potential undefeated Big Ten run, with the Big Game back in Ann Arbor, where Michigan has won four straight in the rivalry. Five-star freshman QB Bryce Underwood provides upside and depth far better than last year’s carousel. If the quarterback positions hits, along with the defense, this ticket has legs.
‘Michigan’s schedule sets up well’ is in stark contrast to the linked CBS article (above, first sentence). But that’s accurate. While the Wolverines alternate between home and road games all season long, only three teams on the schedule had winning records last year (Nebraska, USC, and Ohio State). Michigan outpaced the first two and beat two last year (including the Buckeyes).
There’s a lot going on in the offseason in Ann Arbor that is reminiscent of 2021. Coming off of a 2-4 campaign in 2020, there was a culture shift and players discussing the previous season as unacceptable. There’s a ton of talk about creating more explosive plays offensively and the defense dominating. All of those things appear to be on the docket, but will the maize and blue be able to do so consistently and on the road? That remains to be seen.
The season is set to start on Saturday with Michigan hosting New Mexico at The Big House for a 7:36 p.m. EDT kickoff.
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This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: ESPN bets on Michigan to win Big Ten in 2025, cites Bryce Underwood
