ANN ARBOR, Mich. — For much of the recent history of Michigan football, the final game of the year has ended in a loss, if not the final two games. Especially in down years, often you can count on the Wolverines losing to Ohio State and then in the bowl game — if they made one.
However, a year after going undefeated in 2023, with a 15-0 record, the maize and blue limped to a 5-5 start before rattling off wins against Northwestern in the final home game of 2024, at Ohio State, and then against Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Just about no one expected the final two wins, yet the Wolverines prevailed. Now, there’s heightened optimism in spring ball, with a new-look offense and a stifling defense ready to get after it.
Still, according to senior linebacker Ernest Hausmann, despite the exemplary close to 2024, his team looks back on the past year in a negative light, hoping to improve upon the 8-5 season they just endured.
“It was huge. That game was huge for the whole year, for all three phases of the game,” Hausmann said. “Just really build that momentum ongoing to the year, going the offseason. But at the same time, keep the hungry mindset. You know, we were 8-5. That’s nowhere we want to be that’s not the standard Michigan here has set for itself, so we’re nowhere near satisfied with the result.”
Much of the improvement this year will rely on the offense improving, but the defense showed against the Crimson Tide that it can lead the charge. Without defensive linemen Josaiah Stewart, Kenneth Grant, and Mason Graham, and cornerback Will Johnson, the maize and blue took on the Alabama starting offense and held it to just 13 points. Of those who were pivotal in the bowl game, Michigan will only be missing two of those players in 2025 (safety Quinten Johnson and cornerback Aamir Hall).
Thus, the idea is that Michigan will reload, especially given the consistency at the coaching positions across the defense.
“You guys seen it by now. It’s the type of defense we play,” senior edge rusher TJ Guy said. “We take pride and no matter how the season goes we’re out there. We’re gonna take pride in our defense. Like that’s just how it is at Michigan. You’ve seen guys doing what you’ve seen star players do because that’s just how our DNA is built. So yeah, I was proud of that for sure.”
Michigan started spring ball on Tuesday with eyes on the spring game at The Big House on April 19.
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