The first of three college football preview magazines hit newsstands over the weekend, and it’s a mixed bag for Michigan football in 2025.
After a disappointing 2024, Athlon Sports says the College Football Playoff is “within reach” for an improved Wolverines team this fall — predicting a fourth-place finish in the Big Ten for Michigan, who will ultimately play Florida in the non-playoff Citrus Bowl.
“After closing out the 2024 season with wins over Ohio State and Alabama, along with the commitment of 5-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, second-year coach Sherrone Moore has Michigan back on track,” Athlon’s Steven Lassan writes. “If Underwood develops as expected, a return to the College Football Playoff is within reach. But the freshman won’t have to carry this team.”
Athlon points to six starters returning on defense, a unit that finished top-10 nationally in yards allowed (307 per game), and a backfield duo of Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall that Michigan “can lean on.”
It also notes the favorable Big Ten schedule: Michigan hosts arch-rival Ohio State this year, and doesn’t have to play defending Oregon or Penn State.
The Wolverines check in at No. 15 in Athlon’s preseason Top-25 rankings, but just miss the cut when it comes to the postseason. Athlon predicts three Big Ten teams to make the 12-team playoff, including forecasted champion Penn State, runner-up Ohio State and Oregon.
Michigan opens the 2025 season on Aug. 30 against New Mexico before having to play at Oklahoma on Sept. 6. Head coach Sherrone Moore faces a two-game, school-imposed suspension that could hinder the Wolverines as they open Big Ten play.
Elsewhere, Athlon Sports named Michigan kicker Dominic Zvada to its preseason All-America team, making him a first-team specialist. Named Big Ten kicker of the year in 2024, Zvada was 26 of 27 on PATs and 21 of 22 on field-goal attempts, including converting all kicks from 50 yards out.
The Wolverines’ defensive line (8), running backs (10) and linebackers (10) all ranked in the top 10 of the publication’s national unit rankings.
Running back Justice Haynes was named one of college football”s “top transfers” by Athlon. Haynes rushed for 448 yards and seven TDs last season at Alabama, where he also caught 17 passes for 99 yards.
Expected to have a big year on the defensive line, edge rusher Derrick Moore was a preseason first-team all-Big Ten selection. Moore had 23 tackles, four sacks and a pass deflection last year.
Lastly, the annual Michigan-Ohio State game on Nov. 29 was named fourth among Athlon’s “10 Best Games of 2025,” with the pendulum shifted squarely to the Wolverines’ side.
“If not now, then when for Ryan Day and the Buckeyes? The Wolverines extended their winning streak in the rivalry to four games last fall, putting more pressure on Day before Ohio State won it all,” Athlon’s Kyle Wood writes. “The series shifts back to Ann Arbor this season, where Michigan could be trotting out a true freshman quarterback. If these teams have taught us anything, it’s that anything can happen in in The Game.”
You can purchase the 2025 Athlon Sports college football preview magazine here.
