The Michigan Wolverines football program received an unexpected jolt Saturday morning when ESPN’s College GameDay analyst Kirk Herbstreit made one of the season’s most attention-grabbing predictions.
Speaking live from Vanderbilt’s campus ahead of the Tennessee-Missouri matchup, the former Buckeyes quarterback turned broadcaster confidently weighed in on the Wolverines’ football team. His bold call is now shaping the national conversation.
During the live broadcast, ESPN College Football posted a clip to its X (formerly Twitter) account, sparking debate between believers and skeptics. The post set up Herbstreit’s statement before airing his full take:
“Michigan lost to USC, they came back the next week and beat a good Washington team. Look at the rest of their schedule—obviously, Ohio State at the end. There is a very good chance they run the table, and are at 9-2 going into that game at home against Ohio State. 60 minutes away from possibly winning that game, being 10-2. With a win over Ohio State, they could be a team that you’re sitting there talking about.”
Herbstreit’s prediction dropped just hours before kickoff of Michigan vs. Michigan State at Spartan Stadium—a rivalry fueled by history and volatility.
Entering the game at 5-2 and ranked No. 25, the Wolverines are still hunting for consistency under second-year head coach Sherrone Moore. Through seven games, Michigan has shown flashes of dominance on the ground and steady defensive play, allowing just 17.1 points per game.
Herbstreit’s College GameDay analysis reframed Michigan’s season as one of redemption rather than mere recovery. His words carried extra weight not only because of the timing but also due to his Ohio State ties. Declaring Michigan a potential Big Ten playoff race disruptor from an SEC broadcast site made the moment resonate even more.
For a team climbing back to national relevance, it was validation and motivation rolled into one.
Now, with tough matchups ahead against the Spartans, Purdue, Northwestern, Maryland, and Ohio State, the Wolverines have a chance to turn Herbstreit’s forecast into prophecy—or let it fade away in East Lansing.
https://clutchpoints.com/ncaa-football/michigan-football-news-kirk-herbstreit-bold-wolverines-take-before-msu-game
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