CFB Futures – 2024 Michigan Wolverines Win Total Odds

A new era of Michigan Wolverines football begins 2024. After going undefeated and winning the national championship, Jim Harbaugh left for the riches of the NFL and record-setting quarterback J.J. McCarthy did the same. The machine that won at least 12 games in each of the last three seasons will look a lot different, but this is Michigan and it’s supposed to be good at college football. The changes start at the top with Sherrone Moore at head coach. An assistant since 2018 and acting head coach during Harbuagh’s suspension last year, Moore will ensure the program doesn’t stray off course. A ton of talent needs to be replaced on offense and the turnover has oddsmakers in a frenzy listing Michigan’s win total at 9 at BetMGM.

Regular Season Wins for the Michigan Wolverines

Over 9 ( +115 )

Under 9 ( -140 )

There wasn’t much more for Harbaugh to accomplish after the Wolverines’ 2023 undefeated national championship season. And to avoid any missteps Michigan hired from within tabbing Moore for his first full-time head coaching gig. It will be a seamless transition since Moore has been on staff since 2018 in a variety of capacities, including acting head coach last year. With a lot of new faces there isn’t the preseason hype we saw in the last few years and that’s fine with Moore and his team since they should once again be a powerhouse in the realigned Big Ten and can sneak up on their opponents.

Reduced juice betting is one of the best ways for any sports bettor to save money and far too many people don’t take advantage of it. If you are not playing at a sportsbook that offers reduced juice betting then you are simply giving away money.

Bet on College Football at BetMGM 

Roster

With a lot of star power gone and the conference adding high-profile teams like Oregon and USC, the Wolverines took a hit and were predicted to finish fourth in the Big Ten in one preseason poll. Of course those mean nothing and there’s a better than good chance the Maize and Blue is right in the thick of the conference race. How high they climb depends on how quickly new faces on offense can get going. Behind the best line in college football, UM controlled the ball and the clock. They also had an ultra-efficient quarterback in McCarthy running the show. McCarthy and the line need to be replaced for 2024.

Completing 72.3 percent of his passes with only four interceptions, McCarthy was a perfect fit for the system. And he also came up big when needed, like in the playoff game against Alabama with the game-tying TD pass in the final minutes. The job of running the offense falls on Alex Orji, who didn’t attempt a pass last season and has just one in his two years with the program. Orji can run, he has good size and is an all-around better athlete than McCarthy, but it remains to be seen how he’ll perform in crunch time, or any time for that matter.

Despite starters missing up front the line will again be strong. As line coach in 2021 and 2022, Moore’s group was voted the best in college football and several players who saw significant action will step into more prominent roles. That helps the run game and will take pressure of Orji. The Wolverines like to run the football and take pride in the ability to do so successfully. They closed out a 24-15 win over Penn State last year without throwing a pass in the second half.

You can expect some regression on the defensive side with most starters from a group that led the nation in fewest yards (247.0) and points (10.4) allowed no longer around. And you can’t get any better than best in the country. The group still has potential to be great with a solid line and ball-hawking linebackers. Rotation players last year, Josiah Stewart and Derrick Moore headline the group with freakish skills. And the secondary will be a plus as well.

Schedule

A soft non-conference schedule got Michigan off to a hot start last season and that was with a more veteran group. The 2024 slate has a massive tilt against Texas in Week 2 and a date with USC in Week 4. Though they don’t have Penn State, Wisconsin and Iowa on the schedule, this is a much tougher run of conference games. Oregon also visits the Big House in Week 10 and the Wolverines head to Washington in Week 6 and Ohio State for the finale. The season opener against Fresno State could be dicey facing a team picked to finish near the top of the Mountain West Conference.

Prediction

A tougher schedule and an inexperienced group of starters is a bad sign. The Wolverines will be good, just not as good as 2023. But will being good be enough to reach the 10-win mark. It’s a benchmark for the program but these are unusual times with realignment hitting Michigan hard. Not only do they face the three toughest Big Ten newbies they also have dates with Texas and OSU, and several other fringe teams. I don’t see them winning all five of those crucial matchups which is why I have to back the UNDER in this CFB futures bet. 

Check out the latest Michigan odds at BetMGM