Ranking the top 5 hardest games in 2024

There are less than 50 days until the start of the 2024 season, which means fans are already looking ahead to what the year could hold for the Wolverines. Unlike in recent years, Michigan will not have the luxury of playing through an early non-conference schedule before the season proper begins with Big Ten games. After playing Fresno State in Week 1, Michigan will welcome the Texas Longhorns to Ann Arbor – the first regular season game between the two top-tier teams.

From there, things won’t get much easier for the Wolverines, as Michigan faces USC, Washington, Michigan State, Oregon and Ohio State in the regular season this year.

Here’s a look at the five toughest games for the Michigan Wolverines in 2024:

5. State of Michigan

I was tempted to put USC in this spot, but the aspect of it being such a heated rivalry game (along with USC regularly struggling on defense) gave Michigan State a light Edge at No. 5.

I get it, MSU has been crap lately. The Spartans are 9-15 overall over the last two seasons and have not qualified for a bowl game in either of those seasons. Last season, the Wolverines came to East Lansing and pounded the Spartans all night long, leaving the game with a 49-0 win and the Paul Bunyan trophy in hand. Worse, Michigan State lost one of its best defenders of the 2023 season to the Wolverines when defensive back Jaden Mangham announced he was transferring to Michigan during the offseason.

While it hasn’t been great, things aren’t going too badly in East Lansing right now. Michigan State signed former Oregon State head coach Jonathon Smith, and the Spartans have had 24 commitments from the transfer portal this cycle — including former Oregon State QB Aidan Chiles. Does that mean the Spartans will be a formidable opponent for the Wolverines in 2024? Only time will tell.

4. in Washington

Similar to Michigan, Washington will bring in a new head coach and roster in 2024. The Huskies brought in head coach Jedd Fisch to replace Kalen DeBoer, who is now the head coach at Alabama. Washington also brought in 29 players from the transfer portal, including former four-star QB Will Rogers – a four-year veteran who proved he could put up big numbers during his time at Mississippi State.

Still, the Huskies lost a ton of key players in the NFL Draft this offseason, including first-round QB Michael Penix Jr., wide receiver Rome Odunze and offensive lineman Troy Fautanu.

The biggest advantage for Washington right now is that the game against Michigan is in early October at Husky Stadium in Seattle, a notoriously difficult place to win football games when you’re the visiting team. It also sounds like NBC is pushing hard for this to be a primetime game, making the away situation even more difficult. For that reason, this is certainly one of the toughest games on Michigan’s schedule in 2024.

3. at Ohio State

Many people believe this is the toughest game on Michigan’s 2024 schedule, and they have good arguments to back up that belief. First of all, the Wolverines have only won two games in Columbus in the last 25 years (2000, 2022). Additionally, Ohio State spent nearly $15 million in the offseason to build a roster capable of beating Michigan and ultimately winning the national championship.

It’s great to acquire a ton of talent, but the Buckeyes haven’t had a talent problem the last three years — they’ve had a toughness problem. The harsh reality for the folks in Columbus who still won’t accept it is that the Michigan Wolverines are simply the tougher football program of late.

When the two rivals meet on the final weekend of the 2024 regular season, all the pressure will be on Ryan Day and Ohio State to avoid a fourth straight loss. For the Wolverines, it will likely be another opportunity to cement their status as kings of the Big Ten Conference.

2. Oregon

If this game were in Eugene, I’d probably put it at No. 1 on the list. But because it’s in Ann Arbor, it sits firmly at No. 2. Oregon was another team that was aggressive in the transfer portal this offseason, landing 14 transfers, including a pair of starting quarterbacks – Dante Moore and Dillon Gabriel.

The Ducks are also expected to have one of the best offensive lines in the country, meaning Dan Lanning’s Oregon offense should pose one of the biggest challenges for the Michigan defense all year. The Ducks are one of the early favorites to win the Big Ten Championship in their first year as part of the conference, and the outcome of their meeting with Michigan in early November will likely play a big role in whether or not they do so.

1. Texas

There’s little doubt that Texas will have a talented team in 2024, but the real reason this team is No. 1 on the list is Michigan’s schedule. The Wolverines and Longhorns’ Week 2 clash at the Big House is one of the most highly anticipated non-conference games of the 2024 season, and for good reason.

The Longhorns return veteran quarterback Qwinn Ewers, promising a top-notch offensive line. They also signed six new players from the transfer portal who all have starting lineup qualities, including former five-star wideout Isaiah Bond from Alabama.

On the other hand, the Wolverines have lost nearly 20 key players from the 2023 National Championship season — along with head coach Jim Harbaugh and much of the defensive staff. While Michigan’s defense is expected to be top-notch, the offense returns only one starter from last season, meaning the Wolverines won’t have much time to find their rhythm on offense before playing Texas in Week 2.

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