The cannon burst behind the makeshift stage on the Raymond James Stadium field, which poured down a cascade of maize and blue confetti, was so powerful that it nearly drowned out Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore’s statement.
Oddsmakers (and the betting public) predicted that the Wolverines would lose their final two games by a combined 36 points. First, Michigan was practically three-touchdown underdogs in the regular-season finale versus Ohio State.
Even after surprising the Buckeyes in Columbus, oddsmakers believed Michigan was more than two touchdowns behind perennial SEC power Alabama, the first team on the outside looking in to the new 12-team College Football Playoff.
To be fair, Michigan’s lack of key players suiting up was a factor in the ReliaQuest Bowl betting line.
Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer said in a joint news conference Monday that there is precedent in Tuscaloosa that Alabama players do not opt out of bowl games, as he sat next to Moore, who remained silent, knowing he was about to coach a roster with eight players opting out to declare for the 2025 NFL draft.
Even a shorthanded U-M roster took the field — down as many as 10 potential NFL draft picks, four projected to go in the first round — it put together a second straight inspiring performance to shut down Alabama in a 19-13 victory on New Year’s Eve in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
“The future is bright,” Moore assured from the stage, through the falling streamers. “Future is bright at Michigan.”
Sherrone Moore’s lessons
For those not on board with that assessment prior to Tuesday’s performance, it’s even harder to disregard now.
No, U-M did not manhandle the Tide.
But that’s what makes this performance impressive: Even though U-M averaged a meager 5 yards per pass attempt with 75 yards passing, managed only 115 yards on the ground on 51 attempts (2.3 yards) and got just 15 yards from everybody not named Jordan Marshall, the Wolverines still won and led the entire game.
“We talked about not losses, lessons,” Moore said of the mentality that got the team through the season. “We had a lot of lessons throughout the year, and just learning from them so we learn the things that we need to learn so ultimately end up on the plus side, and we did that in these last three games.”
Perhaps the most promising aspect of the afternoon was that each player who made plays against the Tide is expected (and will be required) to contribute significantly next year. It all starts with the defense, as anticipated starter Derrick Moore played the finest game of his career.
The rising senior made four tackles, two sacks, and recovered a fumble.
TJ Guy, who is scheduled to return, had a sack; Cam Brandt, who was waiting his time on the edge, had a strip sack and fumble recovery; and Brandyn Hillman added a sack from the secondary in the third quarter when the Tide had the ball and a chance to take the lead.
Michigan forced three turnovers in the first quarter, followed by three turnovers on downs, for a total of 19 points.
“You don’t have Mason Graham, you don’t have Kenneth Grant, so people think there’s this big falloff,” Moore said. “Those are two incredible players, but our guys really take a lot of pride in being physical, and we wanted to do that this bowl camp. Tried to turn up the physicality to make sure we’re fundamentally sound, and I thought those guys did a really good job.”
Michigan’s offensive slog continues
Had U-M lost this game, it would have once again been because of a lack of offense.
The Wolverines saw one play go for more than 10 yards through the air (a 15-yard reception on a broken coverage to Fred Moore), and quarterbacks Davis Warren and Alex Orji combined to complete 11 of 15 throws for 75 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
The passing score was excellent — a back-shoulder fade on a jump ball from Warren to Moore that put Michigan up 13-0 in the first quarter — but it was one of only a few good passing plays.
“We want to be physical on defense, on offense, but we want to be explosive on offense,” according to Moore. “Those are things that we’ve got to work on in the offseason to make sure we’re more explosive, especially in the passing game.”
Marshall was the only dynamic player, albeit in the run game. The true freshman made his first collegiate start and carried 23 times for 100 yards, earning game MVP honors.
He stated running back coach Tony Alford informed him he was going to win the award, and while Marshall was thrilled to acquire the silverware, he underlined the mentality that made it happen:
“No matter what, you want to play like the MVP,” he said. “And (be the one to) hit harder, and that’s what matters most.”
‘We’re playing for the chip’
The Wolverines (8-5) aren’t thrilled with how the year went, but they are ecstatic about how it ended.
Michigan’s final three victories were either by 40 or more points, as Moore and his team officially changed the course of the season. Even so, those on the roster hope this is the final time they are not in the CFP.
“We can say it’s a good season, but it’s not Michigan’s standard,” Marshall said postgame. “We’ve got to get it back to the standard, which is bringing national championships back here.”
There are few players, such as H-back Max Bredeson, who must make decisions, but the majority of who will return to Ann Arbor is known. To be competitive in 2025, the coaching staff must now fill out the roster through the transfer portal, primarily by adding to the offensive line and wide receiver positions.
It’s unclear who will win the quarterback job between Bryce Underwood and Mikey Keene, what the new offense will look like, and what life will be like without two predicted first-round picks on defense. However, if Tuesday’s performance is any indicator, next fall in Ann Arbor could be another memorable one.
“I told Bryce (Underwood) right when we walked into the locker room, I was like, ‘This isn’t happening again,'” Marshall said. “We’re not playing (in the ReliaQuest Bowl), we’re playing for the chip. We’re playing for the whole thing, the natty.
“That’s what we want.”
