Michigan fans have been riding a rollercoaster ever since Sherrone Moore took over. First, they’re in shambles, then they’re cooking up a five-game win streak, flipping Bryce Underwood from LSU, flexing on Ohio State, and sending Bama home packing in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Now? The hype train is at full speed for 2025. But hold up—there’s a new twist. A national reporter just went on record about Moore’s situation in Ann Arbor, and let’s just say, it ain’t all sunshine and touchdowns. Some serious concerns could rock the Wolverines’ 2025 campaign, and it all starts with one major question: Is Michigan really back, or are fans setting themselves up for heartbreak?

On March 8th, national reporter Isaiah hopped on the Locked On Wolverines podcast, and he didn’t sugarcoat a thing. “I’m worried about Michigan fan expectations,” Isaiah admitted. “Yes, Underwood is a huge talent, but we have a question mark on the O-line, still kind of a mid-receiving room, and fans seem to have terminal recency bias. Am I being too negative, or can this offense struggle for a while, not unlike last year?” Ain’t gonna lie, he’s got a point. Michigan’s 2024 offense? Woof. Their top receiver didn’t even hit 250 yards, and then their WR1, Tyler Morris, dipped for Indiana.

But don’t worry, the Wolverines have been grinding. They brought in Donaven McCulley from Indiana and Anthony Simpson from UMass to add some firepower. And with five-star QB Bryce Underwood stepping in, things could turn up fast. But is it enough to make Sherrone Moore and Michigan a playoff threat again?

The real concern? The offensive line. Michigan is basically hitting the reset button up front. They lost 5 starters, including studs like Zak Zinter, Trevor Keegan, and Drake Nugent to the NFL. Now, they’re rolling with veterans like Giovanni El-Hadi and Greg Crippen while hoping new faces like Andrew Sprague, Lawrence Hatter from Ferris State, Brady Norton from Cal Poly, and Ty Haywood can hold it down. Isaiah was clear: “It’s not going to struggle to the level it did last year. Like, yes, there are questions, but they should be better than they were, right?”

Michigan also made some major portal moves. Former Bama five-star Justice Haynes is in the backfield, Clemson’s Tre Williams and Alabama’s Damon Payne Jr. are beefing up the D-line, and Georgia LB Troy Bowles is adding some serious versatility. But the real game-changer?

Chip Lindsey is stepping in as the new OC, bringing experience from Chapel Hill. “All those things help Michigan,” Isaiah pointed out. But does it guarantee they’re ready to run the Big Ten again, especially after the latest roster concerns?

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Michigan’s concerning roster headache for Sherrone Moore

But what happens when you patch one leak and another one pops up? That’s been Michigan’s reality for years now. And right now, the biggest concern is the running back room and lingering injuries to key players. Rod Moore, the RB who sealed that legendary Ohio State win, suffered a season-ending injury last year—and it’s still looking rough. Craig Shemon from ‘Locked on Big20’ broke it down: “It’s been a full year, and Wink (Don Martindale) says he hasn’t really run in like 14 months since the national championship game; they say he’s going to be ready for the fall, so I don’t know.” That’s not exactly the confidence boost Michigan fans were hoping for.

Then there’s the run game—one of the biggest red flags from 2024. Michigan finished ranked 70th nationally, averaging just 157.2 yards per game. Compared to 2023, when they had 169.3 yards per game? That’s a downgrade you can’t ignore. And now, the guys who carried that shaky rushing attack—Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings—are both gone. Who steps up now?

Shemon kept it real: “Let’s talk about the running back room. It seems like the last couple of years, they’ve lost a lot of really good ones… You go this past year and the year before—the Exodus of running backs going into the NFL, that’s a lot of talent that’s gone out the door.” Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall step up big time.

So, where does that leave Michigan heading into the 2025 season? Isaiah gave his take: “Now, does that mean playoff or bust? No, it does not. I think it means a modicum of improvement. Nine wins, 10 wins—I think is kind of more what you should be looking at as a successful season. But could they exceed that? Absolutely.”

The Wolverines literally got the Mickey Mouse schedule. Michigan opens against New Mexico State before heading to Oklahoma in Week 2 for a massive early test. Their conference slate includes Wisconsin, Washington, and a revenge game against Ohio State at home. Road games against USC, Nebraska, and Michigan State are tough but not impossible.

Bottom line? Michigan has the talent, but expectations need to be kept in check. The Wolverines are still a work in progress, and while Sherrone Moore has done a solid job in his first year, the pressure is on. If things go south early, the hype train could derail fast. But if Underwood delivers, if the Wolverines run the pigskin unlike 2024, if the O-line holds up, and if the defense stays nasty? Michigan might just shock the world. Again.