Last year’s champions, the Michigan Wolverines, may give their longtime rivals, Ohio State, a bitter pill to swallow for the upcoming college football season. Nick Saban, the former Alabama HC, and G.O.A.T., has an unexpected perspective on the upcoming match that favors the Wolverines. Before we delve into the details, let’s understand how they sparked a feud.

College football fans can never overlook one of the longest-running rivalries of the century: Ohio State and Michigan. It all started with a land dispute over the Toledo Strip, resulting in the –+9 in 1835. However, the war has now moved to the football field, with the Michigan Wolverines winning 61 out of the first 119 meetings and defeating the Buckeyes. Things took a different turn when the Buckeyes went on a winning streak of seven games between 2013 and 2019. However, recent AP poll rankings favor Ohio State, but it will be interesting to know Saban’s side. 

In a conversation with Pat McAfee in his show before the College Football season kicks in, when asked how home playoff games are an advantage if you think spreading the game to Nick Saban shared a different opinion, saying, “I think it’s fantastic that you have 8 playoff games at your hometown but it’s also a disadvantage for some of the teams in the south to go to Michigan or Syracuse or someplace like that to play game.” 

This statement points out the importance of the playoff venue in the game, which means if Michigan hosts the game at their home stadium, that is a huge disadvantage to Southern teams like Ohio State since Michigan is a colder place and they may find it hard to compete against them. Even Pat didn’t think it this way, seeing his shocking “Oh no!” Well, looking at the Wolverines team alignment after the fall camp weather cannot be the only reason for their win. 

Wolverines fall camp layout for the 2024 season

The 2024 Michigan football season will look different under Sherrone Moore’s high amount of talent. Michigan has strong cornerback Will Johnson and defensive lineman Mason Graham, potential top-10 draft picks in 2025. Another tight end, Colston Loveland, could be an added advantage to the team. 

Michigan Football Camp 2024 has been putting talented pieces together throughout the fall camp. With the Wolverines opening the season on Aug. 31 against Fresno State, the battle for the Michigan football quarterback position has been captivating throughout this fall season. J.J. McCarthy’s departure leaves Michigan’s quarterback position as a key factor in their playoff hopes. However, QB Alex Orji. has emerged as the coach’s favorite this season. 

In preseason rankings, Michigan holds a lower rank than Ohio State, but their strong outlook and talented transfer players might give them an advantage. We’ll see if they can live up to Nick Saban’s prediction and sustain their statistics this year.