On Sept. 7, just two weeks after the start of the 2024 football season, the Longhorns will travel deep into enemy territory to take on their toughest non-conference opponent of the season, the defending national champion Michigan Wolverines.
Texas is coming off its best season in the CFP era and is one win away from a national championship berth, and while this win didn't come about due to a number of factors, including Washington's Michael Pennis Jr.'s uncanny ability to not miss a throw that night and some self-inflicted blemishes by the Longhorns, it was a sign of the potential Texas has this coming football season.
Texas lost some of the team's most impactful players to the NFL Draft after the 2023 season. Among those impactful players were defensive giants defensive tackles T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy. The Longhorns also lost key playmakers on offense, including wide receivers Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell and Jordan Whittington, tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders and running back Jonathan Brooks.
Michigan has also suffered losses. Despite having the most players drafted into the NFL last year, the Wolverines have plenty of holes to fill on both the defensive and defensive end. Michigan is facing turnover not only on the field, but also on the sideline. Perhaps the biggest loss for Michigan this offseason is head coach Jim Harbaugh, who left the team after winning its first national championship. After Harbaugh left Michigan for the LA Chargers, most of the coaching staff also left the team, leaving newly appointed head coach Sherrone Moore to pick up the wreckage and rebuild a great sideline.
The Wolverines' center back is still to be determined, but sophomore quarterback Alex Orji seems to be the front-runner. At 6-foot-3 and 236 pounds, Orji is said to be the most athletic quarterback currently on the roster, but he will have tough competition if he wants to succeed JJ McCarthy this season. If Coach Moore selects him, the Longhorns will be facing a quarterback who has only seen the field as a rusher, with only 21 rushing attempts and one passing attempt, and who has played few snaps. Even with the loss of several offensive line starters, Orji could be a formidable threat to a Texas defense that can no longer rely on the power of Sweat and Murphy to contain the quarterback.
Texas has benefited from junior quarterback Quinn Ewers' solid play under center, and his experience will be its biggest asset this season. Ewers is dealing with a revamped offense and high expectations following last season's success, and a win against Michigan earlier this year could define the rest of the season for the Longhorns. Ewers will likely turn to sophomore running back C.J. Baxter and junior running back Jadon Blue for reinforcements in the backfield. Blue and Baxter took on larger roles with the team after star running back Brooks tore his anterior cruciate ligament last season.
Texas is scheduled to travel to Michigan in early September, with home turf being Michigan's biggest advantage. The Wolverines are on a 22-game winning streak at home, and the “Big House” could be a tough environment for the visiting team. Texas will likely look to take advantage of Michigan's upended roster once the game begins, and whoever the inexperienced quarterback is in the starting role.
