2024 schedule Michigan plays #2, #3, #7 & #8 ranked BCS teams
Michigan's schedule next year is insane- 4 currently top 10 teams in the regular season with OSU being the next to worst of the 4! In addition, if Michigan qualifies for the B10 championship game then it's likely they will play Oregon, OSU, or Washington a 2nd time.
Even without the Texas non-conference game, Michigan's schedule is the hardest in the Big10. In comparison, OSU swaps Oregon for Notre Dame but the rest of their schedule is equivalent to this year.
Penn State has 2 top 25 BCS teams on their schedule- OSU & Washington with both games at home.
It will be exciting but it's pretty clear that the B10 did everything they could to ensure that Michigan wouldn't 4 peat the B10 Championship- Let's hope the team can beat the conference and the Big10 leadership (again)!
December 8th, 2023 at 9:48 AM ^
Stupid question probably answerable via Google: how do they decide the champ?
December 8th, 2023 at 9:56 AM ^
Top two teams in the standings will meet in the conference championship. Who knows what the tiebreaker system will be....
December 8th, 2023 at 10:01 AM ^
Ohio State is the tie break winner.
December 8th, 2023 at 11:58 AM ^
Followed by "distance from Ann Arbor."
December 8th, 2023 at 12:56 PM ^
Ohio State will be unable to field a team.
December 8th, 2023 at 10:12 AM ^
Teams that don't rhyme with "fish again" win the first tiebreaker.
December 8th, 2023 at 12:40 PM ^
It depends on who is injured
December 8th, 2023 at 9:51 AM ^
Texas will be in the SEC next year which means they will also suck. So that's one to sleep easy about.
December 8th, 2023 at 10:16 AM ^
You are doing it wrong- if Texas is in the SEC they are one of the best teams in the country!
December 8th, 2023 at 12:02 PM ^
They will have 6 strong losses and be ranked #11 to get into the playoff because the beat the #12 team, also 6-6, Ole Miss.
December 9th, 2023 at 1:32 AM ^
Polls
1st one loss team - SEC
1st two loss team - SEC
1st 3 loss team - SEC
And the board saying its doesnt really matter it all works out in the end around week 10. Bama thanks you for your service.
December 8th, 2023 at 12:03 PM ^
Unless they lose to Michigan
December 8th, 2023 at 9:54 AM ^
The 2024 conference schedule came out long before it was clear that Michigan would win the conference this year. It is Big Ten tradition that teams joining the Big Ten play Michigan their first year. Ohio State was the last to do that, and that was only because Michigan was not in the Big Ten (Western Conference) that year.
UCLA becomes the first to do so next year because they couldn't find room on Michigan's plate for all four newcomers.
December 8th, 2023 at 10:51 AM ^
The 2024 conference schedule came out long before it was clear that Michigan would win the conference this year
Huh? It came out just a few months ago. Oregon and Washington only joined the conference in August. Michigan was the two-time defending champ and the preseason favorite to win again. In no sense was this any kind of surprise to the league office.
But it will work itself out, as most of these teams probably won't be as good next year.
December 8th, 2023 at 11:37 AM ^
B10 loaded Michigans schedule for ratings and hopes of the country seeing Michigan lose 2-3 games. Win-win for B10 since they clearly hate Michigan now.
December 8th, 2023 at 12:08 PM ^
I think they put the schedule together before the Stalions stuff blew up. So, probably more about TV ratings.
December 8th, 2023 at 1:33 PM ^
Your mistake here is assuming the Stalions thing caused the hatred of Michigan. That hatred was already there. The Stalions thing was just a convenient opportunity to express it.
December 8th, 2023 at 2:39 PM ^
"Now"?!
As opposed to 50 years ago?
December 8th, 2023 at 9:54 AM ^
It's not about making sure Michigan doesn't win the B1G again, it's about the TV revenue from UM playing in marquee matchups with the new teams. With UW, USC, and OSU losing their QB next year they will take a step back, unless they get a plug-and-play transfer. The conference will be winnable, but it depends who comes back as well. Even if UM doesn't win the conference, they'll hopefully get a CFP berth too.
December 8th, 2023 at 11:11 AM ^
Honestly there is room for Michigan to be undefeated again next year. The early tests are at home and we will have a strong enough defense. It's just a matter of finding the offensive pieces. I'm looking forward to next season, I think it will be another great edition of this team
December 8th, 2023 at 11:42 AM ^
Username checks out!
December 8th, 2023 at 11:24 AM ^
With this schedule Michigan could set an all time viewership record for one team for a single season. The Michigan Difference.
GO BLUE!
December 8th, 2023 at 12:51 PM ^
Better get my $55M worth.
December 8th, 2023 at 11:41 AM ^
If Michigan loses 2 games next year they'll still get in the playoffs IMO.
December 8th, 2023 at 11:44 AM ^
That's not exactly going out on a limb considering that 12 teams will make the field now.
December 9th, 2023 at 1:36 AM ^
What if the Fox Sports/ESPN brigade hammer the "dOesnT paSs tHe Eye TeSt" the night before the final CFP ranking comes out?
Everyone did notice how ALLLL the people on TV wanted ALLLL the same teams after the championship games right?
December 8th, 2023 at 9:54 AM ^
Honestly I love this. There was a time when the Big 10 was a respected conference and the competition for the Big Ten title wasn't just OSU and UM. I'm happy we're getting back to that and will have more than 2 difficult games each year. It should be the end of people looking at the Big Ten champ and thinkking they only had to beat one team to get to the playoff. Personally, I'm excited to see it.
December 8th, 2023 at 10:06 AM ^
"I'm happy we're getting back to that and will have more than 2 difficult games each year."
With that schedule, it's possible we could lose 3 or 4 games. If that happens, there will be knuckleheads here demanding Harbaugh's head on a platter.
December 8th, 2023 at 11:07 AM ^
When he's in Chicago??
/s
December 8th, 2023 at 11:38 AM ^
I'm excited about this year. We're going to play a really tough Alabama team and then a over-performing and tough Washington or Texas team. We haven't really played any tough teams this year except maybe Iowa and PSU's defenses. I'm hopeful we can win out.
For next year, who knows who we'll get back. You got to think if McCarthy comes back with some percentage of our O line and DE, we'll be in pretty good shape. You'd think with our schedule next year, transfer portal candidates would want to come play for us as we'd be like a Rock n' Roll super group kicking ass and taking names. Who wouldn't want to be part of the best team ever playing the toughest schedule ever winning a second National Championship in a row?
December 8th, 2023 at 11:45 AM ^
We haven't really played any tough teams this year except maybe Iowa and PSU's defenses.
Eat it, Coach Third Base!
December 9th, 2023 at 1:41 AM ^
When 2 top ten teams are a trash schedule watch what you ask for people. Your prized home schedule dream come true could turn ugly.
December 8th, 2023 at 10:20 AM ^
Agreed that we want the B10 to be better-
However, we'd like to see pretty even schedules for every member of the Big10 rather than Michigan having 4 top 10 teams while other teams in B10 play 0 top 10 teams.
It is about the money and from a B10 perspective it's their way of screwing Michigan.
I think Michigan truly is hated by the rest of the B10.
December 8th, 2023 at 12:10 PM ^
You can't have an 18-team league with nine conference games and play equitable schedules. Especially when teams have between zero and three protected rivals.
December 8th, 2023 at 3:58 PM ^
Edit: Nevermind
December 8th, 2023 at 9:55 AM ^
Why play the games? FSU asks. Just put UM at number 1 and start the playoffs.
December 8th, 2023 at 9:55 AM ^
Also means we can probably have a path to get in the playoff with like 3 losses. It's the Michigan State basketball method of boosting your resume -- play enough tough teams, and you get credit whether you beat any of them or not.
December 8th, 2023 at 9:56 AM ^
iron sharpens iron
4peat? Quadpeat? Quatropeat?
December 8th, 2023 at 9:59 AM ^
It's going to do wonders for Orji's Heisman candidacy. There will also still be opportunities for Mullings and Hall to get their thousand yards (apiece).
December 8th, 2023 at 11:00 AM ^
Going for the 4-ji?
December 8th, 2023 at 12:18 PM ^
If Orji is the QB, then I feel both Mullings and Hall will need to be 1000 yd rushers! I mean, Alex hasn't been allowed to throw the ball all year... There has to be a reason for that other than a good run package.
December 8th, 2023 at 1:36 PM ^
So ... you mean we'll have THREE 1,000 yard rushers? ;)
December 9th, 2023 at 1:45 AM ^
His main position will be kick returner. QB is just to give him something to do between kickoffs.
December 8th, 2023 at 10:09 AM ^
Quadropeatia
December 8th, 2023 at 11:19 AM ^
Quadrophenia...?
Track 6: Dr. Jimmy I think we all know who that is.
Track 2: The Real Me. We are running it down your throat. Deal with it.
December 8th, 2023 at 9:57 AM ^
Yeah, next year's schedule is truly bonkers. Texas, Washington, Oregon, USC and Ohio State, all during the regular season.
What will interesting to see is how it affects access to the 12 team playoff. If Michigan goes 3-2 against 5 of the best teams in the country could they still make the playoff as a non-conference champ?
December 8th, 2023 at 10:00 AM ^
Ohio yes, Michigan no.
December 8th, 2023 at 11:01 AM ^
Seriously, Oklahoma is the lowest ranked two-loss Power 5 team at #12. 9-3 LSU is #13. I think Michigan would have a good shot even at 9-3 given what is likely to be the #1 strength of schedule.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/rankingsDecember 8th, 2023 at 12:24 PM ^
Some great program matchups. Will be interesting to see what happens with Oregon, USC and Washington. All three of them are losing their QB's this year. OSU also losing their QB and I don't care what you say about transfers or McCord, it takes a minute to get up to speed. Ewers hasn't made an announcement but he also could be gone this year.
Plus Washington going to be losing their top RB and likely at least 2/3 of their top receivers. I have no idea what a guy like McMillan's pro prospects are but they've all been there for 4 years now.
Won't pretend to know the full level of depth on the west coast teams but many of our opponents are going to be looking at some significant turnover at the most important positions.
December 9th, 2023 at 1:47 AM ^
We went from 4 teams to 12 teams but our schedule seems 300% more difficult. Hope we dont go to a 24 team playoff. I dont want NFL teams on our schedule.