Ranking the most anticipated Michigan games for this season

Defending national champion Michigan faces a season of high expectations and exciting matchups. 

Despite losing standout RB Blake Corum (Los Angeles Rams), QB J.J. McCarthy (Minnesota Vikings) and head coach Jim Harbaugh (Los Angeles Chargers) to the NFL, the Wolverines aim to maintain their dominance under new head coach Sherrone Moore.

Moore served as Michigan’s offensive coordinator, as well as its interim head coach during Harbaugh’s suspension last season, leading the team to a perfect 4-0 record in those games. 

Here are the three most anticipated Michigan games, ranked in inverse order:

3. Vs. Oregon,  Nov. 2

This matchup against the Oregon Ducks, who are embarking on their inaugural season in the Big Ten, promises to be a thriller. These schools have played each other five times, with Michigan leading the series 3-2. The last meeting, won by Oregon 39-7, came in 2007. 

Oregon’s impressive transfer portal success, highlighted by the addition of quarterback Dillon Gabriel from Oklahoma, makes it formidable.

Michigan’s defense, the best in the country last season (247 YPG), will face a stern test against Gabriel and the Ducks’ explosive offense. 

2. Vs. Texas, Sept. 7

In what promises to be a marquee non-conference clash, Michigan faces Texas, a team it has only met once, in 2005.

The introduction of the 12-team College Football Playoff format means that every out-of-conference game featuring playoff hopefuls such as these two will have significant implications.

Texas, led by star quarterback Quinn Ewers, boasts a high-powered offense (ninth in 2023 at 477.5 YPG). Michigan’s defense returns four starters from last season.

1. At Ohio State, Nov. 30

No list of anticipated Michigan games would be complete without mentioning its annual clash against Ohio State. 

Michigan leads the all-time series 61-51-6 and has dominated recent encounters, including a 30-24 victory last season.

Ohio State, a perennial national championship contender, has supplemented a strong recruiting class with notable additions in the transfer portal, including former Alabama safety Caleb Downs and former Kansas State QB Will Howard.

Head coach Ryan Day has struggled against Michigan (1-3) and will be eager to turn the tide. This game, the regular-season finale, could have massive implications for both teams’ playoff hopes and the Big Ten race.