CBS Analyst Questions Wolverines’ Readiness Despite Talent, Bowl Win
Michigan football finds itself walking a tightrope between optimism and skepticism as the 2025 season looms. Fresh off a solid bowl victory and led by new head coach Sherrone Moore, the Wolverines earned the No. 14 slot in the preseason Coaches Poll. But not everyone’s convinced the hype is earned.
CBS Sports analyst Will Backus wasn’t shy about calling the ranking “overrated,” pointing to holes in the roster and questions around just how ready Michigan really is to play at a top-15 level — especially with a freshman quarterback at the helm.
Life After Harbaugh: Moore’s Steady but Uneven Start
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Moore inherited a storm.
After Jim Harbaugh led Michigan to the National Championship and rode off in triumph, Moore stepped up — a former offensive coordinator now holding the reins. No Blake Corum. No J.J. McCarthy. That alone would’ve made most coaches sweat.
Still, Michigan managed to go 8-5, with a 5-4 record in Big Ten play. Not elite, but not a disaster either. The season ended with a gritty ReliaQuest Bowl win that quieted some of the noise.
Now, though? Expectations are back on the rise. And so is the pressure.
A Freshman Under Center and a Whole Lot of Questions
The Wolverines have talent. There’s no debating that. But talent alone doesn’t win you conference games.
Bryce Underwood — the top high school recruit in the nation — is now Michigan’s starting quarterback. It’s a thrilling move, but a risky one. Backus doesn’t think it’s enough.
“Underwood provides a much-needed injection of talent at quarterback,” he wrote, “but it’s a lot to ask of a freshman to hit the ground running in a conference like the Big Ten.”
There’s also this nagging issue: the supporting cast. Gone are running backs Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards. Wide receivers? Thin. Defense? Missing familiar faces like linemen Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, and cornerback Will Johnson.
Even with transfers and promising pieces like Justice Haynes stepping in, it’s not the same team.
The CBS Sports Critique Hits a Nerve
Will Backus didn’t hold back. He acknowledged Michigan’s upside but questioned the logic behind their preseason placement.
He highlighted multiple weak spots:
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Inexperienced quarterback, regardless of raw talent
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Wide receivers described as “lackluster”
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Loss of key defensive veterans
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A reshuffled running back room still trying to find rhythm
“There’s reason to believe Michigan will be a lot better this season,” Backus said, “though a top-15 ranking seems a bit high at this point.”
One sentence. But it says a lot.
Coaches See Promise. CBS Sees Potential Pitfalls.
It’s a tale of two outlooks.
Coaches around the country placed Michigan at No. 14 — wedged between South Carolina and Ole Miss — suggesting belief in Moore’s vision and Underwood’s potential. Some see a bounce-back season in the making.
But CBS’s critique hints at something more cautious, maybe even cynical. There’s a big difference between potential and production.
And here’s where things get trickier — the rest of the Big Ten isn’t standing still.
The Schedule Looks Friendly… Kind Of
If there’s one thing helping Michigan’s cause, it’s the schedule. On paper, at least.
The Wolverines face only one top-10 team: Ohio State, ranked No. 2. That’s a tough one, sure — but it’s not like they’ve got a brutal gauntlet week after week. Here’s how their ranked opponents stack up in the Coaches Poll:
| Team | Coaches Poll Rank |
|---|---|
| Ohio State | No. 2 |
| Penn State | No. 3 |
| Oregon | No. 7 |
| Illinois | No. 12 |
| Indiana | No. 19 |
That’s five ranked teams in total. Not exactly a cupcake schedule, but certainly not a buzzsaw either.
Still, even a “winnable” schedule can go sideways if your offense doesn’t click or your defense can’t plug the gaps.
Defensive Transition Isn’t Just About Missing Stars
Let’s talk defense.
Yes, Michigan lost standouts. Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant were rocks on the line. Will Johnson locked down the secondary like a pro. Replacing them? No easy task.
The current crop includes Derrick Moore off the edge, defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny, and safety Rod Moore. They’re good — maybe even great. But leadership matters too, and those are big shoes to fill.
One coach familiar with Big Ten recruiting told us, off the record, “Michigan’s defense might be fast but undisciplined early on. They’ll take risks they didn’t have to take last year.”
The Fans Are Split — And Loud
Check out any Michigan fan forum this week and it’s a mix of excitement and worry. Some fans are thrilled about Underwood and the new blood. Others are tapping the brakes hard.
One commenter wrote: “I’d rather be ranked 18 and surprise people than 14 and get embarrassed by Week 3.”
Another chimed in: “The national media always doubts Michigan. Let them. This team’s better than people think.”
It’s the classic split — hope vs. history. And this season, that divide is loud.
Moore’s Real Test Starts Now
Being a first-year head coach under a legend is hard. Surviving it? Impressive. But now Moore has to do more than just survive.
He’s got to win.
The poll might be generous. The analysts might be harsh. But at the end of the day, it won’t matter what CBS or the Coaches Poll says if Michigan beats Penn State or stuns Ohio State.
Because in Ann Arbor, patience is a luxury Moore won’t be afforded for long.
