Look ahead at our 2024 Football Schedule
Aug. 31 vs. Fresno State
Sept. 7 vs. Texas
Sept. 14 vs. Ark. State
Sept. 21 vs. USC
Sept. 28 vs. Minnesota
Oct. 5 at Washington
Oct. 12 Idle
Oct. 19 at Illinois
Oct. 26 vs. Michigan State
Nov. 2 vs. Oregon
Nov. 9 at Indiana
Nov. 16 Idle
Nov. 23 vs. Northwestern
Nov. 30 at Ohio State
Dec. 7 Big Ten Championship
Oh man some juicy games there!!!!
GO BLUE
January 10th, 2024 at 9:33 AM ^
Six years is forever? It started in 2014 when the B1G switched from Legends/Leaders to East/West and was fixed in 2020.
January 10th, 2024 at 7:11 AM ^
I am amazed by comparatively how easy OSU schedule is. I'm sure the media will gripe about their non conference as well. In terms of the upper echelon teams, they only play Us (obviously), Oregon and PSU. No Washington, or USC (should be much improved on defense with new staff).
January 10th, 2024 at 8:16 AM ^
Yeah, OSU's schedule next year essentially boils down to three games. They can go on cruise control against literally everyone else.
Oregon and Penn State are both on the road, though, so those will be tough games. Especially Oregon. At Oregon is definitely a game OSU can drop.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:00 AM ^
At Oregon will be much tougher than at PSU for the Buckeyes.
It seems that Michigan has not only the toughest B1G conference schedule, but also the toughest national schedule for the '24 season.
Go Blue!
January 10th, 2024 at 10:11 AM ^
Of all the years to have a hard schedule, this is probably the best time. Just won a National Title, so no urgency to go win it all and we'll be clearly rebuilding, which takes more stress off. If we go 8-4, I'd be fine with that due to the difficulty and new players (and potentially new head coach).
If we go 9-3 or better, then I'll be over the moon
January 10th, 2024 at 10:41 AM ^
It's only a rebuild if JJ goes to the NFL.
January 10th, 2024 at 11:30 AM ^
JJ will not be a 1st rounder in this years draft. If he came back and improved his consistency and improved his long ball passing accuracy, he will be one of the first 2 QBs taken in the 2025 draft.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:54 AM ^
As was said about Michigan's schedule this year.
January 10th, 2024 at 8:49 AM ^
Are you really amazed? After what the B1G did for them this year, I'm surprised they have to play any games at all and aren't just defacto champions as declared by tiny.
January 10th, 2024 at 7:51 AM ^
If JJ goes, that Fresno State game is pretty rough to be breaking in a new starting QB. On the other hand if JJ stays and Ewers goes, UM is suddenly favored vs Texas.
Next season is fascinating.
January 10th, 2024 at 8:08 AM ^
I believe Ewers has already stated that he was coming back next year. Thought I had seen that before bowl season
January 10th, 2024 at 8:16 AM ^
Ewers is coming back
January 10th, 2024 at 11:45 AM ^
But I believe that his top two receivers, one tight end and one RB have declared for the draft, so we are not the only ones facing significant losses to the NFL/eligibility on offense. Also some of the biggest pieces of their dominant defensive line will be gone.
January 10th, 2024 at 8:06 AM ^
I don't think anyone comes out of this new Big 10 undefeated. I see us dropping a game to one of these teams, then winning the Big 10 Championship game, and playing again for the National Championship. We may possibly be putting in a new quarterback, but so will a lot of teams (OSU, Oregon, USC, Washington). We are returning talent everywhere. Our defense will still be as good as anyone in the conference.
January 10th, 2024 at 8:27 AM ^
Well, I like your confidence, but unless every guy who can come back does come back I have a hard time seeing UM finishing better than 10-2 against that schedule next season.
Going better than 2-2 against @OSU, @Washington, Oregon and Texas would be a pretty surprising result IMO. Again, I am assuming a fair number of players leave for the NFL who could potentially return; should most of them elect to come back, the calculus changes.
January 10th, 2024 at 8:58 AM ^
2 losses is more likely, yes, especially if Harbaugh and JJ leave. The culture is established, though--we have a program that is built to last.
January 10th, 2024 at 11:35 AM ^
I think JH will try to get into the NFL but I just see too many good assistant coaches applying for HC job. I think if JH ends up being 2nd or 3rd choices in the NFL, I could see JH signing his new contract at Michigan and he then may just coach here for 10 to 15 more season before he retires. I sure hop he comes back. Along with JJ.
January 10th, 2024 at 8:14 AM ^
A 9-3 Michigan next year is not out of the question with that schedule, but at the same time, a 9-3 Michigan team with that schedule could very well get in.
A lot depends on who's coming back.
January 10th, 2024 at 8:15 AM ^
Not looking ahead yet, will be looking behind for at least another month!
January 10th, 2024 at 8:22 AM ^
That is a tough schedule anyway you look at it.
Two of the CFP teams from this year. Four of the Top Ten’ish “too early” teams for next year - and, USC isn’t even in the pre season Top 25 polls.
Just an incredible schedule.
Go Blue!
January 10th, 2024 at 10:00 AM ^
Don’t forget Northwestern who could pull off a pretty good season like Illinois did in 2022. Northwestern finished the year strong and looked good in their bowl game. With that game being right before OSU you’d have to add in the “trap” game angle as well.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:04 AM ^
I agree. The one "good" thing about the Northwestern game is - it's going to be Senior Day.
If this team keeps it's culture - it should be a very emotional day. And - if JJ returns - I believe it would be JJ's last home game.
Go Blue!
January 10th, 2024 at 10:21 AM ^
And - that weekend - when Michigan is playing Northwestern. Georgia will host UMass and Clemson will host The Citadel.
Once again - ideal scheduling by the SEC.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:56 AM ^
Sorry reading much of anything into non playoff bowl games means zilch with the opt outs and different motivations. Northwestern was motivated as hell because they were expected to be a 2 win team.
I am all for "worrying" about Northwestern but fergodsakes this is not Hoke era Michigan. Do you think 11 Warriors would be worried about Northwestern?
January 10th, 2024 at 8:29 AM ^
Still think they should drop the Texas game
January 10th, 2024 at 10:14 AM ^
Way, way too late to do that - unless, LOL - there's an interest in following the "class" ND showed when they cancelled the series.
The Texas game will be huge - and, the next three years - at Oklahoma - hosting Oklahoma - and going to Austin - are really the kind of OOC matchups the fanbase looks for.
Texas will be tough - and - it will be the most visible game that weekend - by far.
The Saturday that Michigan hosts Texas - Georgia's will host Tennessee Tech and Ole Miss hosts Middle Tennessee. It looks like the SEC isn't changing their approach to scheduling.
January 10th, 2024 at 8:35 AM ^
5 Straight home games to start the season is a bit much IMO. Off top of my head I think they had 4 straight the past few seasons. At least 3 of those 5 arent cupcakes, so at least we will see some meaningful football the first month.
Ive said this before but the 12 team playoff couldnt have come at a better time. Michigan being the last team to win the 4 team playoff was awesome, but now teams are going to try even harder to take out the defending champs. Having 12 playoff teams will give Michigan a little room for error this season. They could get in with 1 or 2 losses. Going undefeated with that schedule is going to be extremely difficult.
January 10th, 2024 at 8:36 AM ^
It's a rough schedule but I do like the first 5 games are home and 8 of 12 are home and it's nice out of WA/OR/TX/USC, 3/4 of those are home. If this can pull off 10-2 they will be in the playoff. Even at 9-3, they'd have a definite shot.
JJ's decision will make a monumental difference in my take on next year (duh). I do think this team will be very good regardless but I believe they could be a solid, top 10 team to a legit shot to win another title depending on who stays or goes.
January 10th, 2024 at 11:42 AM ^
I think there are a few top QBs who are watching JJ decision. I bet we get a surprise top QB pickup in the transfer portal if JJ leaves for the NFL. I wish national signing day was in FEB, and we did not have NIL. Then we would get some top talent recruits after winning a NATTY.
January 10th, 2024 at 9:01 AM ^
I don’t get why people are saying we’ll be a 3-loss team. We don’t even know who’s coming back yet and we could absolutely run the table.
January 10th, 2024 at 9:20 AM ^
Can't wait! It should make for a lot of competitive football and hopefully transform the conference from the Big-3 / Flailing-11 it's been the last few years.
January 10th, 2024 at 9:20 AM ^
So now we only play 6 big ten games a year. Cool.
January 10th, 2024 at 9:39 AM ^
Forgot the "/s"?
January 10th, 2024 at 9:38 AM ^
I can see this team going 10-2
January 10th, 2024 at 9:41 AM ^
Texas, Oregon and OSU are far and away the toughest games. Washington might or might not be a tough game. Northwestern is the one that could potentially be a tighter game than expected as it’s right before OSU and the way northwestern finished the season could lead to a very good season for them. Depending on who returns for Michigan (especially JJ’s decision) there is anywhere from no losses to 5.
January 10th, 2024 at 9:47 AM ^
Defense travels and Michigan will have an elite one. There isn’t an unwinnable game on that schedule.
Question is QB really. WRs will be young, but having Loveland and Mullings return will help a lot. Would love to see Trente and Nugent return.
But got to get QB position sorted out.
January 10th, 2024 at 9:56 AM ^
Damn that's a sexy looking home schedule! 2 cupcakes (and Northwestern), Texas, USC, Oregon, plus games for the Little Brown Jug and Paul Bunyan.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:00 AM ^
I wish TX & USC would be night games in late October or early November. Would love to see those Southern & SoCal boys freeze their nuts off.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:09 AM ^
Lot of potentially tough games. Iron sharpens iron, as they say. The guys will rise to the challenge.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:15 AM ^
That's a brutal schedule. Entertaining as hell, but still brutal. If we have to break in a new starting QB, going undefeated again would be near-miraculous.
January 10th, 2024 at 10:23 AM ^
Great schedule, and so many unknowns about the team.
What we do know is that regardless of who is coaching and playing there will be a great attitude and bond--and a considerable amount of talent. I think the program is set up to be one of the "reload, not rebuild" power programs, regardless of the specifics of who stays.
This year has been a story for the Ages. Looking forward to the next chapter!
January 10th, 2024 at 10:29 AM ^
What a great, if difficult, schedule. It's a list of some of college football's marquee brands. Going to be tough, but this is what it should be. While its not a murderer's row all the way through, none of this SEC cupcake crap that they schedule late in the season.
We'll likely take a loss or two or three, especially depending on who returns (players and coaches).
Still, this is an amazing line up for the fans. Who's got it better than us?
January 10th, 2024 at 10:30 AM ^
Texas is going to be a huge challenge; I think that UW and SC not nearly as much b/c of all the players they are losing. Can't decide on Oregon; Nix really made them go. OSU will be gunning for us all year; I expect they are already starting. Now they are in the mode of having to build everything to beat us. If we get a good group back from this team, 10-2 absolutely possible, and that would surely get us into the playoffs.
January 10th, 2024 at 6:12 PM ^
Don’t sleep on Fresno St.
Bulldogs have a veteran starting QB in Mikey Keene, looking to prove he’s an NFL guy. They’re experienced and at the apex of their competitive window. Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve irrationally been scared by a week one pay-game, but they should have enough to make a game out of the opener.