10 Michigan football most anticipated/intriguing stories you may have missed during the 2023 season

At least on the field, Michigan’s football program’s year couldn’t have started any better.

It is undefeated for the second straight year and is the top seed going into the College Football Playoffs. When 2024 rolls around, the Wolverines hope to build on their current success.

On January 1, they take on No. 4 Alabama in the Rose Bowl semifinal with the goal of ending a two-game losing run in the CFP.

Michigan has not made any mistakes even with two distinct NCAA investigations and six games without a head coach in 2023. It managed to defeat Ohio State in order to secure the Big Ten East title, and it subsequently defeated Iowa 26-0 in the conference final to guarantee a postseason berth.

From on-the-field success to off-the-field drama, there’s been no shortage of storylines throughout the year.

Before the Wolverines take the field in Pasadena, California, here are 10 stories that you might have missed during the team’s memorable season:

On the field for Michigan’s Big Ten championship celebration

In the Big Ten final game, the Wolverines dominated the Hawkeyes, limiting them to just 155 total yards as they won their third consecutive league championship.

For the last few minutes of the fourth quarter, MLive reporter Andrew Kahn was on the field, capturing sights and noises from the postgame celebration.

What Michigan football is getting in 4-star QB commit Jadyn Davis

The Wolverines last week signed 27 players from their 2024 recruiting class, with Jadyn Davis, a four-star quarterback, being one among the standouts. He is the highest-ranked quarterback Harbaugh has recruited to Michigan since J.J. McCarthy, and he recently won Mr. North Carolina and two consecutive state championships.

Michigan football’s latest silencing act came loud, proud and in your face

The Wolverines had been aware of the outside commotion around their purported sign-stealing scheme, which was purportedly led by former employee Connor Stalions, for more than a month. On November 25, however, Michigan played Ohio State without its head coach and defeated the Buckeyes handily to appease some of its detractors.

Ahead of Ohio State showdown, Michigan’s Blake Corum gives back with annual turkey drive

This year, the senior running back for Michigan has a lot to be grateful for. During Thanksgiving week, Corum conducted its third annual turkey drive, raising 600 turkeys to be donated to Ypsilanti’s underprivileged neighborhoods. In addition, he was fit for the first time throughout the tournament, having struggled with injuries in the previous two years and only getting a few snaps against Ohio State the week before. He led Michigan’s offense with 22 rushes for 88 yards and two touchdowns this season.

NFL Draft 2024: Who might stay, who might go from Michigan

April should show that this is one of the most talented Wolverines teams in program history. While it doesn’t seem like Michigan has a lock for a first-round selection right now, the team may draft more than a dozen players and set a new program record.

Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh vs. Big Ten: Making sense of how things ended

The week before Michigan’s matchup with Penn State on November 11 was hectic. The university fiercely retaliated to Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti’s three-game penalty the day before a top-10 matchup in Happy Valley, vowing to challenge the decision in court. In an unexpected turn of events, the university chose to accept the suspension less than 24 hours before the hearing, despite Michigan’s hopes to gain a temporary restraining order that would have prevented the suspension. A court session was scheduled for the following Friday.

Sherrone Moore on how life has changed since becoming Michigan’s interim coach

Sherrone Moore, the offensive coordinator at Michigan, filled in the temporary head coach for four of Harbaugh’s 2023 suspensions, which included victories over Penn State and Ohio State. Having joined Harbaugh’s staff in 2017, the 37-year-old has been hailed by Harbaugh and others as a potential head coach in the future.

Under more scrutiny, Michigan leaves zero doubt in historic win over rival

In their first game following the announcement of the NCAA’s investigation into possible improper in-person scouting, the Wolverines took on Michigan State, but they didn’t seem to be impacted by the controversy that rocked the college football world. They improved to 8-0 after crushing the Spartans 49-0 in East Lansing.

How one Michigan walk-on balances football, classes and diabetes

Noah Stewart isn’t a household name for the Wolverines, but the walk-on reserve offensive lineman has overcome several hurdles to be able to play college football at Michigan.

Could a tight end from Idaho be Michigan’s next big star?

Colston Loveland, a sophomore tight end, was one of Michigan’s most anticipated players heading into the season. For the most part, he has lived up to it, and J.J. McCarthy frequently targets him. With 40 catches for 572 yards in 2023, the former four-star prospect from a small Idaho town is second on the team in receiving yards.