The most recent Rose Bowl game pitted No. 1 Michigan football against No. 4 Alabama in an overtime thriller, which ultimately saw the Maize and Blue knock off Nick Saban 27-20 in his final college football contest. Heading into next season, however, new projections list the Wolverines returning to Pasadena in the College Football Playoff; this time, to face the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Could Michigan football and Ohio State face off in the Rose Bowl?
The 2024 season will be quite different than what we have seen in years past. The Big Ten is expanding, the College Football is expanding, NIL is taking over, and the transfer portal is running wild. If Michigan football and Ohio State are the top two teams in the Big Ten next fall, they will face off a second time during the conference title game.
Additionally, Michigan football and Ohio State face off once again in the College Football Playoff, according to the latest projections from 247 Sports. Per these projections, the No. 8 Wolverines and No. 1 Buckeyes will face off in the 2025 Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, CA; the second straight time that Michigan appears in the iconic bowl game.
Wolverines heading into a season full of question marks
Michigan football is heading into a season full of unknowns in 2024, with JJ McCarthy, Jim Harbaugh, and others potentially on their way out. On top of that, the NCAA is still investigating the program for recruiting violations and the Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal.
Michigan pushing for fourth-straight College Football Playoff appearance
While the Wolverines opened as early 6.5-point underdogs against the Ohio State Buckeyes (per FanDuel), this Rose Bowl matchup — which would mark Michigan’s fourth-straight College Football Playoff berth — could present an interesting opportunity for the Maize and Blue to get back to the National Championship Game. Of course, with the CFP expanding to 12 teams soon, there will be plenty of extra opportunities to make a push for a national title — the 13th in program history.
We’ll have to see how that 2024 season plays out for Michigan football, but if all goes as 247 Sports expects, the Wolverines may be facing Ohio State in a CFP Rose Bowl Game. The new age of college football is upon us!
More must-reads: