The walls in Ann Arbor ain’t just talking—they’re screaming. The Michigan Wolverines are staring down the most pivotal offseason in years, and at the center of it all? Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 quarterback in the 2025 class, who flipped from LSU to Michigan in what was arguably Sherrone Moore’s biggest win of his first season. But as the hype around Underwood hits a fever pitch, the noise around Moore is getting even louder—except it ain’t about wins and losses. The NCAA’s sign-stealing investigation just zeroed in on Moore, and it’s looking real messy.

Underwood’s flip from Brian Kelly’s LSU to Michigan was the ultimate flex for Moore. When a blue-blood program lands the top quarterback in the country, it’s a statement—especially when you consider Michigan’s offense has never been about slinging the rock. The Wolverines’ bread and butter? Running the ball and hurting you with the O-line. But with Underwood on board, Michigan is about to switch things up. On February 11th, J.D. Pickell from On3 laid out bare the expectations the Wolverines have from Bryce Underwood for the 2025 season, “You’re not making excuses for Bryce Underwood. His first year—yeah, he’s a freshman, and we get that. But Michigan should be better than eight wins next season, full stop, in large part because of who Bryce Underwood is.”

The Wolverines went 8-5 in the 2024 season without decent QB1. With Bryce Underwood, the floor is 8 wins for the Michigan Wolverines. If Michigan doesn’t ball out in 2025, it’s on Underwood. Harbaugh’s gone, Moore is handling his own drama, and Underwood? He’s the face of the program before he’s even taken a single college snap.

Then J.D. Pickell hit the brakes on Michigan being a lock for the 12-team playoff: “I give all those disclaimers to tell you I’m probably not going to put Michigan in that 12-team playoff field… But the other part of that is because I haven’t seen Bryce Underwood take a snap in a Michigan practice jersey, much less in a game. So I’m waiting a little bit to at least see how he looks in an 11-on-11 setting before I make any definitive statements on Michigan in 2025.” Translation: Let’s slow down on crowning Michigan just yet.

It’s a classic setup—Underwood has everything he needs to shine. But if Michigan falls short? He’ll be the first one people point fingers at. And that’s a heavy load for an 18-year-old to carry. Things don’t always work out in your freshman. Look at Dylan Raiola and Nebraska, they went 7-6 in the season. As Bryce Underwood gets ready for a wild 2025, Sherrone Moore going through his own fight.

The NCAA ain’t done with Sherrone Moore yet

While Underwood is prepping for the season of his life, Moore’s dealing with his own problems—the NCAA still has Michigan in its crosshairs. That whole sign-stealing mess from 2023? Yeah, it’s not over. The NCAA’s Notice of Allegations named seven Michigan staff members involved, and guess who’s still left in Ann Arbor? That’s right, Sherrone Moore.

RJ Young from FOX Sports laid it out: “Connor Stalions is no longer part of Michigan. The person you probably want after would be Jim Harbaugh, but he’s not in the NCAA, so he’s out of your jurisdiction. So who’s left? Sherrone Moore, who deleted some text messages, recovered some text messages, and then said, ‘Cool, there’s nothing in the text messages. Have at it. Do what you want.’” Moore admitted to deleting 52 texts from Stalions, calling it an emotional reaction rather than a cover-up. But recovered messages showed nothing incriminating—at least, that’s what Michigan is saying. Regardless, the NCAA might still come knocking with some consequences.

So, what happens next? Best-case scenario? Underwood lives up to the hype, Moore skates past the NCAA, and Michigan rolls into the new 12-team playoff with swagger. Worst case? Underwood struggles, Moore gets hit with sanctions, and Michigan fans spend the season in full meltdown mode. Right now, there are more questions than answers, but one thing’s for sure—this ain’t your average season. It’s a high-stakes game with Michigan’s future on the line, and the whole country is watching.