Michigan Wolverines featured in our CFB Michigan Wolverines season preview

2024 Michigan Wolverines Season Preview: No Hope For A Repeat

Expecting my 2024 Michigan Wolverines season preview to be optimistic? You've got a big storm coming. At +3000 to win the national championship, even sportsbooks are predicting a rough year for the defending champions and I agree with them after losing Jim Harbaugh, JJ McCarthy and Blake Corum. Here's my full 2024 Michigan season preview. Buckle up!

2024 michigan wolverines national championship odds

Odds For Michigan Wolverines To Win national Championship
TeamOdds
Michigan Wolverines+3000


I hope the reigning national champions enjoyed the glory while it lasted. Now, reality sinks in and Michigan sits outside the top 10 on the national championship oddsboard (+3000). 

Not that you need to be reminded but only one program has accomplished consecutive titles in the CFP era -- the Georgia Bulldogs. It wasn't that hard for them with barely any player changes during the title reign and rumor has it, Stetson Bennett is still sitting in the pocket with plenty of time.

That's not the case for Michigan, though. Who even are these guys anymore?

After losing head coach Jim Harbaugh and a prominent chunk of the respected roster, like starting quarterback JJ McCarthy and star running back Blake Corum, little faith is put in the Wolverines to repeat. But hey, at least Donovan Edwards is coming back. 

There's still no confirmed decision on who will start as the new signal-caller in Week 1 with fall training camp being the final quarterback audition for Alex Orji, Davis Warren and Jack Tuttle.

We've seen Orji throw the ball in a game setting once, but he's mobile with three rushing touchdowns over two years. Warren has gone 5-for-14 with one interception across two seasons while senior Tuttle has at least some on-field prior experience with Indiana. Of the three options, none have me on the edge of my seat. 

Pretty terrible timing, too. We all know the Big Ten has gotten buffer thanks to the conference realignment. With Washington and No. 3 Oregon joining, Michigan's schedule just got a tad tougher. Wins just won't come easy anymore. 

2024 michigan wolverines win total odds

Michigan Wolverines 2024 Win Total odds
WinsOdds
OVER 9 Wins+115
UNDER 9 Wins-135


With a win total set at nine, oddsmakers are favoring the Wolverines to go UNDER (-135) and not reach double-digits in the win column for the first time since 2019. 

That is the lowest win total for a defending champion in the last decade and just one of two that failed to reach the double-digit mark (Clemson, 2017).

Like I mention in my games of the year, Michigan will face defeat rather quickly -- specifically Week 2 when No. 4 Texas comes to town. Other areas for defeat are meetings with newcomers, Washington (Week 6) and No. 3 Oregon (Week 9). I wouldn't even call it far-fetched for Michigan State to roll in Week 8 and force a massive upset, we've seen the Spartans do it twice in the last four years. Then, the No. 2 Buckeyes are sure to blow them out to close out the year in The Game

Oddsmakers may be completely ignoring the fact that this program riding a 31-game regular season streak that dates back to October 2021. But hey, I don't blame 'em! The whole offensive line has been replaced and half of the existing team had nothing to do with those wins. 

2024 michigan wolverines college football playoff odds

Odds For Michigan Wolverines To Make CFP
To Make College Football PlayoffOdds
Yes+130
No-165


Even with the 12-team college football playoff bracket opening up more space in the postseason and the Wolverines making the playoffs for three-straight years, Michigan still stands in plus-money territory (+130) to make the CFP. Considering all the futures odds, nobody is expecting the Wolverines to spark some modern dynasty and I second that thought. 

2023 michigan wolverines betting results

2023 Michigan Wolverines Betting Results
TeamSUATSO/U
Michigan Wolverines15-09-5-17-7-1


Depending on the matchup, I will be fading the Wolverines often this year. Favored in four of their first five meetings, including 20-plus point favorites against Fresno State (Week 1) and Michigan State (Week 5), these are hefty lines for this no-name group to handle. In 2023, all five spreads the Wolverines failed to cover were of 17.5-points or more. 

Look for the spots to fade this team. For example, somehow Michigan is opening as just 3.5-point underdogs against Texas in Week 2. Absolutely no chance Quinn Ewers doesn't embarrass the Wolverines at the big house.

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