New rumor suggests Michigan football spent huge money to continue win streak over Ohio State in 2025
A new rumor making the college football rounds recently claims Michigan football spent big bucks on the NIL market to better compete with the elites of the Big Ten like Ohio State and Oregon.
This time last year the Michigan football program was on top of the college sports world. After years of trying to build a championship team with former head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Wolverines finally broke through last year and brought a natty back to Ann Arbor for the first time since 1997.
However, that time at the top was short-lived. Quite a few of their top players, and Harbaugh, took their talents to the NFL early last year. Unsurprisingly, new head coach Sherrone Moore had a rough debut season as Michigan finished with an 8-5 record and seventh in the Big Ten. But the football program did have one big bright spot in 2024. And that was beating top rivals Ohio State for the fourth straight year.
Nevertheless, their 8-5 finish was well below the school’s standards, and a recent report claimed Michigan football went deep into their cophers this offseason to make sure they are much better in 2025.
Michigan Football was one of the top NIL spenders this offseason?
A recent report from On3 revealed the five programs that spent the most on adding proven talent through the transfer portal this offseason. And while the No. 1 spot went to Auburn, the Michigan football program was second on the list. Followed by Ole Miss, Texas, and Texas Tech.
The report does not give specifics on how much was spent by the schools. And is based on rumblings from inside the sport. However, Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork claimed the program spent around $20 million to field their roster that won a National Championship in January.
One can only assume Michigan football will fork over a similar amount in 2025. So they can make sure they win a fifth straight over the defending champion.
ESPN Reveals Ohio State’s Season-Defining Game For 2025
As Ohio State prepares to defend its national championship, ESPN attempted to name the one game that will define the Buckeyes season in 2025. There are plenty of changes facing head coach Ryan Day and the program with roster attrition and multiple key coaching changes after winning the College Football Playoff. The good news for Ohio State fans, however, is the Buckeyes signed the No. 4 high school class and bring back two All-Americans in safety Caleb Downs and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. It’s hard to imagine Ohio State not contending for a Big Ten championship and playoff spot next season, though a misstep in ESPN’s defining game could throw a wrench into those overarching goals. According to Jake Trotter of ESPN, “The Game” looms as a season-defining matchup in which success has eluded the program for four-straight years.
