Michigan’s 9-3 Season Leaves More Questions Than Answers in Ann Arbor
On paper, a 9-3 regular-season record is nothing to scoff at. But in Ann Arbor, where expectations have shifted from “good” to “elite” over the last few years, this Michigan season feels more like a missed opportunity than a step forward.
The Wolverines didn’t just fall short in their biggest games-they never really looked like they belonged in them. And that’s where the concern starts to grow.
A Tough Ending in The Game
Michigan came into its season finale against Ohio State with a chance to salvage something meaningful from the year. And early on, it looked like they might do just that.
A big run to open the game, an interception by Jyaire Hill-it was the kind of fast start you need in a rivalry game with high stakes. But that momentum didn’t last long.
From that point forward, the offense couldn’t find its rhythm. Michigan settled for three field goals and never found the end zone, falling to an Ohio State defense that lived up to its billing. The Buckeyes were physical, disciplined, and dominant-everything Michigan hoped to be, but wasn’t.
To make matters worse, the atmosphere in the Big House didn’t feel like a true home-field advantage. A noticeable wave of scarlet and gray filled the stands, thanks in part to a significant number of Michigan fans selling their tickets.
You’re always going to have some Buckeye red in the building, but this was different. This felt like a home game with an asterisk.
And when the final whistle blew, it wasn’t just a loss-it was a gut punch. Losing to your biggest rival is always tough.
Losing by nearly 20 in your own stadium? That lingers.
A Record That Rings Hollow
Michigan’s 9-3 record doesn’t tell the full story. Sure, it’s a winning season, but it’s also one that came without a signature win.
The Wolverines went 0-3 against their top-tier opponents, and in each of those games, they weren’t really competitive. That’s the part that stings.
The wins that did come? They were mostly against the bottom of the Big Ten.
Purdue, Maryland, Michigan State, Wisconsin-none of those teams were serious threats this year. Even Northwestern, one of the league’s weaker squads, nearly pulled off an upset at Wrigley Field before Michigan escaped with a last-second field goal.
When you stack that résumé up, it’s hard to find a defining moment. And for a program that expects to be in the national conversation, that’s a problem.
The Sherrone Moore Question
Sherrone Moore stepped into the head coaching role with big shoes to fill, and through two seasons, the jury’s still out. There’s no denying his passion or his connection to the program, but the results on the field haven’t matched the standard Michigan fans have grown to expect.
One of the biggest critiques has been Moore’s approach to offense. Despite bringing in new assistants and having a highly touted freshman quarterback in Bryce Underwood, the offense often felt stale.
Conservative play-calling, a lack of creativity, and an overall failure to adapt became recurring themes. The hope was that this group would evolve as the season went on.
Instead, it plateaued.
Underwood, for all his talent, didn’t take the leap many expected. And while Moore pointed to the team’s youth as a factor, that explanation only goes so far.
Other programs with young rosters found ways to compete at a high level. At Michigan, the growing pains felt more like growing concerns.
There’s also the matter of identity. At times, Moore seemed to be channeling Jim Harbaugh’s style and demeanor.
But Harbaugh was a unique figure-quirky, bold, and often unpredictable. Moore doesn’t have to be that.
In fact, he shouldn’t try to be. What Michigan needs now is a head coach who can establish his own voice and vision, one that fits this current roster and the new era of college football.
Looking Ahead
Michigan will still land in a respectable bowl game, and 9-3 is far from a disaster. But in the world of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, anything short of being in that mix feels like a step back. And for the second straight season under Moore, the Wolverines are on the outside looking in.
There’s talent on this roster. There are pieces to build around.
But the clock is ticking. Michigan isn’t just trying to win games-it’s trying to stay relevant on the national stage.
And if that’s going to happen, the program needs more than just a good record. It needs an identity, a spark, and a head coach who can lead it there.
Sherrone Moore’s got the job. Now he’s got to show he’s the guy for it.