Michigan Wolverines look like a lock to hit the over on their win total for the 2024 college football season

It seems that no one believes the Michigan Wolverines are going to come anywhere near repeating their national championship season in 2024. While that might be fair, oddsmakers and the betting public may have gone too far in lowering their expectations for new head coach Sherrone More and Michigan this college football season.

Michigan's preseason win total still rests somewhere between an implied 8.5 or 9 at every major sports book. With 8.5 still being readily available, Michigan looks like a lock to hit the over as the 2024 college football season approaches.

Why Michigan will prove the doubters wrong

Despite losing around 20 players to NFL rosters this off-season Michigan still has an absolutely stacked defensive unit heading into the 2024 season. It's quite likely that due to their immense depth and top tier talent Michigan will only have to start one transfer player on defense. And that transfer player is Jaishawn Barham, an elite middle linebacker with early round NFL Draft potential.

Michigan has three potential first round NFL Draft picks on defense between Will Johnson (cornerback), Mason Graham (defensive tackle), and Kenneth Grant (defensive tackle). And both of their lead edge rushers this fall Derrick Moore and Josaiah Stewart project to be draft picks too. The defense alone looks like they could carry Michigan to 9 wins this season, especially against their schedule.

Michigan 2024 Schedule

1. Fresno State
2. Texas (4)
3. Arkansas State
4. USC (23)
5. Minnesota
6. at Washington
7. at Illinois
8. Michigan State
9. Oregon (3)
10. at Indiana
11. Northwestern
12. at Ohio State (2)

Michigan plays only four true road games and four ranked opponents (according to the coaches poll) this fall. They'll likely be more than a touchdown favorite in at least seven games. And yes, they do play three top five teams in Texas, Oregon and Ohio State, but they get two of those games at home! Even if the Wolverines lose to all three top five opponents they could just hold serve and hit the over on their 8.5 team win total.

Related: Predicting the Michigan Wolverines' Defense Two Deep Depth Chart amid fall camp for 2024 college football season

What could go wrong for Michigan?

However, if Michigan does fall short this season it's going to be due to the offense.

Offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell laughably stated that the quarterback battle is still wide open suggesting all five quarterbacks have a shot to start this season.  Alex Orji likely wins the job, but there are still plenty of questions with his experience and passing ability.

If Orji isn't the problem for Michigan it's likely going to be the offensive line. The Wolverines are replacing all five starters on their offensive line this season, so the chemistry might be lacking, especially early in the season. There isn't a lack of talent at the position, but there is certainly limited starting experience.

The Wolverines will definitely need some new faces to step up on offense if they want to find consistent success, but the defense and their super soft schedule for much of the year should do just enough to help propel Michigan to another strong season overall. And that should be good enough to coast to nine wins, if not push towards 10.

Related: Predicting the Michigan Wolverines' Offense Two Deep Depth Chart amid fall camp for 2024 college football season

Be looking for more Michigan Wolverines coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!

And if you want to see just how special Mason Graham was last season for Michigan, just check out the highlights video below!