Balas: Michigan's 2024 schedule will include USC, UO, UW
Chris Balas of On3 is reporting ($) that Michigan's 2024 schedule will include USC, Oregon, and Washington, alongside Texas and "protected rivals" OSU & MSU. Not sure how that achieves competitive balance among conference members, but Warde's inability to stand up for Michigan is something we've gotten used to.
Damn that is one hell of a tough schedule that Michigan will get. WOW!!!!
— Big Ten information. College football fan (@Genetics56) October 3, 2023
Oregon, USC, Texas at home and Michigan State, and road games with Ohio State and probably Washington.
Thus,
Oregon
USC
Texas
Michigan State
Ohio State
likely Washington
ITF EXTRA: Michigan football…
October 4th, 2023 at 10:02 AM ^
Surprised we aren't getting UCLA as well. Get them all out of the way early like chickenpox.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:11 AM ^
I saw this last night - UCLA and USC were originally on our schedule but that was before Oregon/Washington got added to the Big-tbd
So the swap was UCLA for Oregon and Washington while leaving USC/OSU/MSU and Texas non conference.
I guess we should be thankful there is no PSU?
October 4th, 2023 at 12:24 PM ^
Why? we own PSU.
October 4th, 2023 at 7:12 PM ^
This with a team that may lose 15 to 17 starters off this year's team. It's almost as though someone wants to ensure Michigan's run of nationally ultra elite status doesn't get extended,
October 4th, 2023 at 10:11 AM ^
Any team with that schedule should be able to get a pass in to the playoffs with 3 losses.
October 4th, 2023 at 11:46 AM ^
Urban Meyer thinks it's a soft schedule.
October 4th, 2023 at 11:51 AM ^
Especially for a team that can't run on Nebraska!
October 4th, 2023 at 4:13 PM ^
Yeah, but Urban Cayman Nebraska.
October 4th, 2023 at 3:51 PM ^
Ryan Day thinks it’s a tough schedule.
October 4th, 2023 at 11:53 AM ^
My immediate thought upon seeing this schedule is what are the odds of getting into to playoffs with 3 losses. I'll be happy with 100% as well.
The strength of the conference and strength of schedule going forward will finally give Michigan an opportunity to survive an early loss or two and/or a loss to OSU.
October 4th, 2023 at 12:26 PM ^
My immediate thought was that UM is going to charge $2k per seat for the season ticket.
October 4th, 2023 at 4:50 PM ^
It's a ways away but it's cheerful to think we may someday be seeing 4-hour televised football games. How will they fit in so much football?!!!
October 4th, 2023 at 1:42 PM ^
Did i miss something? How can they make a schedule before they do division realignment?
October 4th, 2023 at 1:52 PM ^
Say buh-bye to east/west/leaders/legends
October 4th, 2023 at 3:05 PM ^
There won't be any divisions.
October 4th, 2023 at 4:51 PM ^
They need to make four separate divisions - first base, second base...
October 4th, 2023 at 10:54 AM ^
Finally, a chance to avenge the Dennis Dixon game.
October 4th, 2023 at 11:22 AM ^
But the '07 game was supposed to avenge the '03 loss. Not so much, sadly
October 4th, 2023 at 12:08 PM ^
Would be nice to get a win on the road at any of the Pac-10/12 schools for once.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:02 AM ^
Biggest ratings draw in the country means the new guys always play us. And getting those matchups was the whole point from Fox's perspective, so no surprise. I'd hope OSU also has 3 of the 4, though they're playing a nonconference like ours next year so no Texas equivalent.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:56 AM ^
Cute
OSU vs UCLA vs Wash (no penix)
Book it
Posted this last week
09/30/2023 - 1:33am
Here is a selection of games you will see next year with our new additions.
UM @wash @oregon @USC
OSU vsUCLA vsWash(Penixless)
We will play more top ten teams then some conferences.
October 4th, 2023 at 11:12 AM ^
Yes and USC and Oregon will also be without Williams and Nix respectively (both on track to be in NYC this year). You could argue that UCLA will actually feature the best or at least most experienced quarterback in true sophomore Dante Moore.
October 4th, 2023 at 1:20 PM ^
And we will likely be without JJ, so it all evens out...
October 4th, 2023 at 11:14 PM ^
JJ will be back next season
October 4th, 2023 at 2:20 PM ^
Penix is leaving UW and Williams is leaving USC. Both are 1st round type QBs. USC has no defense at all. Washington's is just ok. Oh and Bo Nix is leaving Oregon.
This would be a killer schedule THIS year but next year not nearly as much. Granted we will be breaking in a new QB ourselves.
With like 24 guys departing next year of value it was going to be a tough year either way so rather would have tough schedule that year anyhow. It is ironic that Texas is finally good just about the time they rotate into Michigan's schedule tho.
October 4th, 2023 at 3:45 PM ^
Agreed,
The panic feels like a little much. Lots of teams(including Michigan) are losing a lot of key players next year. I don't think USC, Washington or Oregon will be as good without their Senior Heisman candidate QB's. Neither will Michigan, but at least this way the ground is somewhat more even and the schedule will be full of interesting games.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:03 AM ^
Wow. If this is true, we will have one hell of a schedule. For all the gripes we had this year about cupcakes we are getting a reverse next year. We are going to miss cupcakes.
Good that the number of teams in the playoff is increasing.
October 4th, 2023 at 11:10 AM ^
Not only that but the whiplash from travelling to some of those destinations is gonna take a toll. Jfc.
Why don't we just play Bama, LSU at home, and UGA every year as well.
If that is our schedule we should get an auto-bid in the playoff.
October 4th, 2023 at 1:22 PM ^
"If that is our schedule we should get an auto-bid in the playoff."
We will, so long as we're competitive in those games - which we will be. A 12-team playoff won't stop us from getting in with 2 losses on that schedule, especially if competitive.
October 4th, 2023 at 12:03 PM ^
Looks like Brian shouldn't have anything to complain about with that schedule. But looking it over, those three PAC teams will have new qbs. No Nix, Williams, or Penix
October 4th, 2023 at 12:09 PM ^
Nix Penix? No thank you!
October 4th, 2023 at 1:13 PM ^
Counter point, Michigan will also probably have a new QB right?
October 4th, 2023 at 7:17 PM ^
Not just a new QB. Michigan is likely to lose at least 16 or 17 starters. Very possibly more/
October 4th, 2023 at 10:04 AM ^
Coach Moore is going to kick it off right!
October 4th, 2023 at 10:26 AM ^
For real. Harbaugh is going to nope right out of that
October 4th, 2023 at 1:23 PM ^
One thing Harbaugh will not do is run from competition. If anyone is going to nope out of it, it'll be Warde. And he just did - he apparently noped out of standing up for himself...
October 4th, 2023 at 11:26 AM ^
Sherrone is def my first choice for HC if Harbaugh makes an exit. He won't be an OC/OL for long.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:05 AM ^
Lol holy crap. Half of the current top 10 teams in the country. With mostly new starters across the board probably. I'm surprised we won't play Penn State too for good measure
October 4th, 2023 at 10:10 AM ^
I've made this point on the board before but the defense returns much more than it's given credit for and a lot of this no returning talent thing boils down to JJ, Corum, RW/CJ, and (decreasingly likely) Edwards
October 4th, 2023 at 10:17 AM ^
Yeah that absolute worst case d-line is Moore, Graham, Grant, TJ Guy. Worst case LBs is Hausman Rolder/Hood. Worst case secondary is Johnson, Sabb, Berry, Hill, and someone else who emerges as nickel. You still have probably what like 4 NFL draft picks there? not bad.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:24 AM ^
That worst case has NFL draft picks in Moore, Graham, Grant, Hausman, Johnson - 5 surefire picks
Probably figure one or two more of the DBs will eventually be picks too.
October 4th, 2023 at 2:21 PM ^
Good thing none of those players can get drafted this cycle.
October 4th, 2023 at 8:05 PM ^
I don't know why everyone is focusing on the defense and JJ next year. The defense is going to be hit hard but the defense is going to be gutted: Nugent, Keegan, Zinter, Henderson, Barner, Wilson, CJ, JJ (likely if he continues to improve this season), Corum, Edwards (if he follows the same trajectory as last year). Maybe even Barnhart - if he improves as the year goes on.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:25 AM ^
Serious question: how confident are we that JJ goes? Looking at this year's QB draft class, with Williames, Penix, Maye, and Ewers all being eligible, does it make sense for him to stay in school and maybe aim for a draft year with a weaker QB class?
October 4th, 2023 at 10:30 AM ^
It absolutely does since he's making 7 figures in college.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:32 AM ^
I just saw a mock with him going 5th overall so I'd say the odds are decent
October 4th, 2023 at 10:37 AM ^
Interesting. I'd have thought he'd be lower due to the lack of hype and video game stats that Michigan's offense doesn't generate. Good for him, and if he's looking at top-10 I'd retract my statement and assume he'd go. I was thinking if he was looking at being behind a few other QBs and getting into the 20s that maybe we'd have a chance.
October 4th, 2023 at 11:59 AM ^
Well, the more throws he makes like the ones to Wilson last week, the more he is going to get attention from NFL. Mahomes is the golden standard now. JJ can run, throw accurately on the move and can stay in the pocket and deliver. He is going to get attention.
October 4th, 2023 at 11:59 AM ^
The stuff that JJ is putting on tape this year is going to make everyone in the NFL sit up and take notice. I'd be really surprised if, other than a major injury, he's not looking at a top 10 pick next year.