Stewart Mandel Throws Shade at Michigan's Schedule in CFP Debate

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Stewart Mandel Throws Shade at Michigan's Schedule in CFP Debate

Key Points:

  • Michigan is fighting for a CFP spot
  • The Buckeyes are next
  • Mandel isn’t impressed with Michigan’s schedule

The Michigan Wolverines are 9-2 on the season with one monumental obstacle ahead of them in their pursuit of a College Football Playoff spot: the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Michigan has won four straight in the series against their rivals to the south and are ten or more point underdogs to coach Ryan Day’s team leading up to the contest.

On Wednesday, longtime college football scribe Stewart Mandel took note of a debate on a Texas Longhorns page about Texas’ resume compared to the Wolverines and appeared to side with Texas as he uncorked a snide comment on the Wolverines’ 2025 schedule.

Nov 22, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore on the sidelines during the first quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Mandel Calls Out Wolverines in Clever Way

Michigan is jockeying for position with similar teams Texas, Notre Dame and Miami (FL) for a College Football Playoff spot which primed the X page HornSports to compare schedules.

The ‘Horns lost to Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio during the first week of the season and have rebounded to become a playoff contender ever since.

Texas has the 10th-ranked strength of scheduled compared to 37th for the Wolverines and one common opponent, Oklahoma, whom the young Wolverines were blown out by in Norman in freshman QB Bryce Underwood’s first ever road start.

Mandel didn’t hold anything back as he roasted Michigan with a sarcastic comment.

Michigan beat the 16th place, 4-7 Terrapins 45-20 this past Saturday, one of coach Sherrone Moore’s team’s most complete performances this season.

Michigan Can Square Things Up With a Win Saturday

Michigan has a chance to square things up with what would be the biggest win of the College Football Season to date over the Buckeyes in Ann Arbor on Saturday.

A 31-degree forecast with possible snow showers could be the great equalizer for Michigan as they boast a superior running game to the Buckeyes on paper with star runner Jordan Marshall expected to return from injury.

The Longhorns’ two top 25 wins are impressive but Michigan has performed admirably against teams with winning records outside of its lone pair of losses.

A win over the number one, undefeated Buckeyes would change the complexion of the Wolverines’ rankings.

Michigan has the team to beat Ohio State, but it won’t be easy with Day and the Buckeyes having had the game circled for months on end after last year’s shocking 13-10 loss.

A loss to the Buckeyes and the Wolverines will find themselves in a relatively insignificant bowl game.

A win means that Underwood and the Wolverines will play almost certainly play for hardware on one or more of college football’s biggest postseason stages, the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis, the Playoff, or both.

Related: How Michigan Wolverines Can Reach the Big Ten Championship Game, Explained

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Nov 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the College section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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