CFB insiders lays out Sherrone Moore's Michigan's biggest threats going into 2024 CFB season

CFB Paul Finnebaum has shared the biggest challenges for Sherrone Moore's defending champions, Michigan Wolverines, as they head into the 2024 season with a mix of confidence and uncertainty.

In 2023, Jim Harbaugh's team finished an electifying 15-0 season on a high, beating Nick Saban's Alabama in a 27-20 showdown in the 2024 national championship game.

Since then, Michigan has lost their coach Jim Harabugh, replaced by their offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, who has been with the Wolverines since 2018. They've also lost big names like JJ McCarthy, Blake Corum and 11 other players who were drafted in last year's NFL draft.

Moreover, Michigan will be facing one of the toughest schedules in the Big Ten conference, with marquee matchups against teams like Texas, Oregon, Ohio State and others.

Talking about Michigan's realistic future in the 2024 season, analyst Paul Finebaum weighed in on the situation:

“I don’t think (this is a rebuilding year),” Paul Finebaum said. “I think they have on the defensive side a good enough team to be a Playoff team. I think the schedule is not their friend. So, they’re gonna have to pull an upset.

“Second week of the season, Texas comes in there and everybody knows we spent last week talking about (Steve) Sarkisian and Texas,” Finebaum said. “That’s a game they probably need to win to get far along because there’s a couple of games they’re not going to win. So, I think for Michigan, 10-2 will get them in. 9-3 and it’s gonna be a long Saturday night on Selection Sunday weekend.”

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Sherrone Moore reacts to Nick Saban praise

After Nick Saban announced his retirement after 17 long years at Alabama, he made his first official appearance during the 2024 NFL draft.

Coach Saban raved about Michigan's offensive line but especially talked about former Wolverine's star Zak Zinter, who made his way to the Cleveland Browns. During a conversation with Joel Klatt, Sherrone Moore reacted to the praise:

"That’s cool. ... I didn’t even hear that comment. But that’s an awesome statement from, probably, arguably, the best college coach in college history."

Saban had said about Michigan's offensive line:

"Michigan has the best-coached offensive line of anybody, and they have great technique and they play together."

Fans will be interested to see how the new Michigan roster performs during their first season under Sherrone Moore in the 2024 CFB season.