Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore acknowledges the intense rivalry with Michigan State, which may be further ignited by recent transfer moves. The Wolverines acquired former Spartans safety Jaden Mangham, while Michigan State picked up former Michigan linebacker Semaj Bridgeman.
Moore expressed his satisfaction with the addition of Mangham and his well-wishes for Bridgeman. “We’re happy we got Jaden,” Moore said, according to Sports Illustrated. “He’s a really good player, he’s an All-Big Ten player, so super stoked for him.
And excited for Semaj — he got an opportunity he felt like he wanted, so good for him and all the blessings for him. But I think the rivalries are still alive and there’s respect in all of them, but they’re still alive.”
Mangham recorded 73 tackles and four interceptions at Michigan State, earning All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2023. Meanwhile, Bridgeman, a highly-touted four-star recruit for the Wolverines in 2023, is yet to play a college football game.
The upcoming 2024 season will be intriguing, especially the October 26 matchup in Ann Arbor between these two rival schools. Both Bridgeman and Mangham likely have this date marked on their calendars.
There’s a lot of change in the air for Michigan football. The school just saw a record-high number of players selected in the 2024 NFL Draft and will be introducing a lot of new talent this fall on both sides of the football.
The head coach position has also changed hands, with Jim Harbaugh leaving Ann Arbor after leading the team to a College Football Playoff Championship victory. Sherrone Moore takes over the Wolverines program, while Harbaugh has moved to Los Angeles to coach the Chargers.
Moore brings experience to the role, having served as interim coach during the last few games of the 2023 regular season while Harbaugh served a self-imposed suspension amid an NCAA probe into the Michigan football program.
The new coach is well aware of the intense rivalries facing Michigan, including those with Michigan State, Ohio State, and Penn State. There’s a lot of excitement in Ann Arbor this season as the Moore era begins, and Wolverines fans have high expectations for him to continue winning those key rivalry games.
Michigan football kicks off its 2024 season against Fresno State on August 31.
