Michigan fans know this feeling all too well, when you’re riding sky-high one moment and back on the ground the next. After capturing the national championship in 2023, the Wolverines looked like they were entering a dynasty phase. But then came the crash: a frustrating 8-5 season in 2024 and, worst of all, no College Football Playoff appearance. That’s the kind of whiplash that still stings in Ann Arbor, and no one knows it more than head coach Sherrone Moore.

Moore didn’t dodge it either. At Big Ten Media Days, he admitted that they did have a better ending to the season, but they were not very satisfied. “Last year, we hit a couple of speed bumps, but we didn’t allow those to become roadblocks. We overcame a lot of adversity and had a successful end to the year, but really we’re not living on that.” Moore said. Now, he’s staring down a massive rebound year in 2025, with expectations somehow even higher thanks to the arrival of generational quarterback talent Bryce Underwood.

However, analyst Paul Finebaum dropped some truth bombs on Moore during his recent appearance on the ESPN College Football show. Although he praised Moore for ending last season with wins over Ohio State and Alabama, he questioned Moore’s consistency. His take? “I don’t think they’re going to make it. I think they’ll fall just short,” he said bluntly.

That’s the core of Finebaum’s concern. “He does have… only the best quarterback coming into college football this year in Bryce Underwood,” Finebaum said. “How long will Bryce take to matriculate, and can he get him going quickly? They have a chance for a CFP bid, but I don’t think they’re going to make it. I think they’ll fall just short.” Finebaum added.

Here’s where stats back that concern up: Moore’s debut season at Michigan ended 8–5, despite stunning wins over Ohio State and Alabama, after starting a new head coach era with a 7–5 regular season record. But don’t forget the pressure of filling Jim Harbaugh’s shoes. However, under Sherrone Moore, Michigan became the only program in college history to beat Alabama twice in one calendar year and the first since 1978 to win consecutive games as double-digit underdogs. However, the hype is around Underwood more than the HC.

All eyes on Bryce Underwood

Bryce Underwood isn’t just any freshman quarterback; he’s the reigning No. 1 overall prospect in the nation. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 208 pounds, he exploded for 2,509 passing yards with 32 TDs and only six interceptions as a senior at Belleville High School, while also rushing for over 600 yards and six more scores on the ground. In his junior year, Underwood threw for 3,329 yards and 44 touchdowns with just three interceptions, plus added 199 rushing yards and seven rushing TDs. All told, he finished his four-year high school career with nearly 11,500 passing yards, 152 passing TDs, and a total of 179 touchdowns across all phases of the game.

Michigan fans have never seen a freshman QB with this level of production or hype walk into Ann Arbor. Under Sherrone Moore, and yes, Underwood becomes the centerpiece of a rebooted Michigan offense. He already got thrown into the mix during the spring due to strategic uncertainty at QB, and while he hasn’t taken a college snap yet, early practice reps have everyone projecting him as the starter come fall.

But, Bryce is still a freshman in a complex offense built under new leadership. If he can step in and gel quickly, with that arm, legs, and smart plays, Michigan really could be back in playoff contention. If not … well, you can start smelling deja vu.