ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In an email to fans last week, athletic director Warde Manuel said Michigan is continuing to evaluate ways to pay for 82 new scholarships and $20.5 million in revenue-sharing funds that will be distributed to athletes in football, basketball, volleyball and ice hockey.

If Manuel needs more input, The Athletic’s Michigan fan survey is here to help. More than 1,000 fans shared their thoughts last week on scheduling more events at Michigan Stadium (yes, please), higher ticket prices (no way!) and permanent advertising inside the Big House (a definite maybe), along with numerous topics related to the upcoming football season. The overall picture reveals a fan base that, despite some short-term uncertainty, feels confident in the long-term trajectory of Michigan athletics in the revenue-sharing era.

“I think UM is generally in a good place,” wrote Chris P. “Football needs to take a step forward after a natty hangover year in 2024, but I like that the team finished strong last season, and I think Sherrone Moore’s approaches to recruiting, the transfer portal and building his coaching staff make sense.”

“I don’t think this is THE year for Michigan football,” added Noah K. “We should be good, not great. The next two years are going to be the hot zone for Bryce (Underwood) and the elite recruiting class we just pulled in to develop.”

Here’s the full breakdown of the survey results.

1. How would you grade Sherrone Moore’s performance so far as Michigan’s head coach?

• A — 11.3%
• B — 75.3%
• C — 12.6%
• D — 0.5%
• F — 0.4%

In last year’s fan survey, the vast majority of Michigan fans said they were on board with promoting Moore to replace Jim Harbaugh. Moore’s first season was far from flawless, but the combination of beating Ohio State and Alabama and landing the No. 1 recruit in the nation earned Moore solid marks in this year’s survey.

“Sherrone Moore had me very nervous at first,” wrote Michael L. “I think he underestimated how bad his QB was and killed the season because of it. I do think he has bounced back in a major way.”

Despite the optimism, there’s a sense that Moore needs to show something in 2025. Most fans seem willing to give him some runway as Underwood develops, but they’d also like to see Michigan back in the CFP conversation.

“This season is time for Sherrone to prove he can win outside of the shadow of the national championship,” wrote Bruce B.

2. How many games will Michigan win this season?

• 12 or more — 3.5%
• 11 — 13.8%
• 10 — 42.3%
• 9 — 30%
• 8 — 4.6%
• 7 or fewer — 0.7%

3. What is Michigan’s minimum requirement for a successful 2025 season?

• CFP semifinal or beyond — 0.8%
• CFP + Big Ten championship — 3.2%
• CFP bid — 29.4%
• 9 or 10 wins, beat Michigan State and Ohio State — 53.7%
• Beat Michigan State and Ohio State — 6.8%
• Other — 6.1%

The takeaway here is that a majority of fans would accept a season similar to 2024 as long as Michigan wins its two rivalry games. There’s a clear expectation that Michigan should be back in the CFP by 2026, but fans can deal with some growing pains as long as Michigan is moving in the right direction.

“To think this team is ready to compete for a national title with a true freshman QB (though I believe he is talented) and a patchwork offensive line is probably unrealistic,” wrote Sam K. “My hope is that we can see this team start to jell in the back half of the season, keep the core in place, and 2026 could set up for a special year.”

4. How would you grade the hiring of offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey?

• A — 26.5%
• B — 63.5%
• C — 9.1%
• D — 0.5%
• F — 0.4%

5. Michigan’s offensive MVP will be:

• RB Justice Haynes — 33.6%
• RB Jordan Marshall — 32.7%
• QB Bryce Underwood — 29.5%
• Other — 4.2%

With a freshman quarterback and two excellent running backs, Michigan’s new offensive coordinator would be smart to rely on the ground game as much as possible. That’s what fans expect, though many find it hard to contain their expectations for Underwood.

“I don’t think I have ever been this excited for a quarterback,” wrote Adam S. “I can’t wait to see Underwood play.”

6. Michigan’s defensive MVP will be:

• Edge Derrick Moore — 36%
• DT Rayshaun Benny — 15.1%
• DB Rod Moore — 14.6%
• LB Ernest Hausmann — 14.2%
• LB Jaishawn Barham — 11.4%
• Edge TJ Guy — 7.4%
• Other — 1.3%

The split vote reflects a defense that will rely on depth rather than star power. It will be a great sign for Michigan if Rod Moore is in the conversation given the severity of his knee injury and his lengthy path to recovery.

Derrick Moore had two sacks in the bowl win vs. Alabama. (Matt Pendleton / Imagn Images)

7. Which game on Michigan’s 2025 schedule are you most excited for?

• Ohio State — 76.7%
• Oklahoma — 15.3%
• USC — 3.9%
• Michigan State — 2.3%
• Other — 1.8%

The top choice is no surprise, but I thought Michigan’s first Big Ten game in L.A. might rate a bit higher. Fans are right to be excited about the Week 2 trip to Oklahoma, a great intersectional matchup that will set the tone for the rest of Michigan’s season.

8. Other than Bryce Underwood, which member of Michigan’s 2025 recruiting class will make the biggest impact as a freshman?

• WR Andrew Marsh — 30.9%
• OL Andrew Babalola — 28.4%
• CB Shamari Earls — 22.4%
• Edge Nate Marshall — 8.6%
• WR Jamar Browder — 5.6%
• OL Ty Haywood — 3.5%
• Other — 0.6%

Aside from quarterback, wide receiver is the position that seems most ripe for a breakout season from a freshman. Even so, I might cast my vote for Earls, who has a great shot to be Michigan’s third cornerback and might even work his way into the starting lineup.

9. What is Michigan’s strongest position group?

• Defensive line — 46.1%
• Running back — 23%
• Linebacker — 15.1%
• Offensive line — 7%
• Quarterback — 3.4%
• Secondary — 3.4%
• Other — 2%

Fans seem confident that Michigan’s defensive line won’t miss a beat despite losing Josaiah Stewart, Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. I expected the vote to be closer between the D-line and the running backs, though it’s tough to go wrong either way.

10. What is Michigan’s weakest position group?

• Wide receiver/tight end — 68.1%
• Offensive line — 12%
• Quarterback — 8.1%
• Secondary — 6.4%
• Other — 5.4%

No surprises here. Michigan had one of the least productive wide receiver units in college football last season and returns many of the same players after swapping Tyler Morris for Indiana transfer Donaven McCulley. The long-term picture looks brighter thanks to a strong 2025 class and Zion Robinson’s commitment for 2026, but it remains to be seen if any of the young players are ready to emerge.

My other takeaway: Michigan fans aren’t sure what to make of this offensive line. I’d like to get the 7 percent who graded the O-line as the strongest position group in the same room with the 12 percent who think it’s the weak link and let them hash it out.

11. How concerned are you about the NCAA’s pending ruling in the Connor Stalions scouting investigation?

• Extremely concerned — 5.1%
• Moderately concerned — 30.3%
• Not very concerned — 63.3%
• Other — 1.3%

We’re going on 18 months of opposing fans claiming the sign-stealing scandal is a capital offense while Michigan fans claim it’s much ado about nothing. We can all agree on one thing: It will be nice to have closure.

“I feel the Connor Stalions story, while an entertaining distraction, is just that: a distraction,” wrote Nick M. “Most people will swiftly forget it in a few years, and it will be little more than an embarrassing blip on our reputation.”

I do wonder if Michigan fans are setting themselves up for disappointment if the NCAA ruling is harsher than they expect. The case wouldn’t have gone all the way to an infractions hearing if the NCAA’s enforcement staff was content to let Michigan off with a wrist-slap. That doesn’t mean the Committee on Infractions will see it the same way, but Michigan definitely is not in the clear.

12. How would you grade Michigan’s approach to roster construction (high school recruiting, transfer portal, NIL, etc.)?

• As good as any in college football — 28.3%
• Very good but not quite elite — 63.2%
• Above average but significantly behind the top programs — 6.9%
• Average — 0.7%
• Below average — 1%

The perception a few years ago was that Michigan lagged behind its peers in the NIL space. That’s no longer the case. Michigan has modernized its personnel department and committed to doing what’s necessary to land elite players like Underwood. Give credit to general manager Sean Magee, who has proven to be a smart hire for Moore.

13. What are your expectations for Michigan men’s basketball in Dusty May’s second season?

• Final Four — 21.8%
• Elite Eight — 37.5%
• Sweet 16 — 24.2%
• Big Ten championship + second weekend of the NCAA Tournament — 10.1%
• NCAA Tournament — 4.9%
• Other — 1.5%

The vibes continue to be immaculate for May and his program. Replacing Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf is no small task, but fans are confident Michigan can build on last year’s success with the additions of Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Elliot Cadeau.

14. Which strategy should Michigan pursue in allocating its $20.5 million in revenue-sharing funds?

• Aggressive football (85%-plus), remainder to basketball and hockey — 17.4%
• Majority football (75%), remainder to basketball and hockey — 46.2%
• Two-thirds football, one third basketball and hockey — 18.2%
• Balanced portfolio (50% football, 50% everything else) — 15.8%
• Other — 2.4%

Manuel didn’t provide the exact percentages, but Michigan’s strategy seems roughly in line with fan preferences. Football is the bell cow and is going to get a majority of the revenue-sharing funds. The next biggest chunk will go to basketball, with volleyball and ice hockey also receiving some funding. The distribution model may evolve over time, Manuel said, and could include payouts for top performers in sports that aren’t on the initial list.

Football is king, but fans want to ensure sports like swimming, gymnastics and track and field have the resources they need to survive. Those fans will be happy to hear that, according to Manuel, cutting any of Michigan’s 29 varsity sports programs is not a consideration.

“I really hope Michigan avoids cutting sports such as track, rowing, field hockey, etc.,” wrote Baker C. “I feel having those sports plays a part in the overall athletic culture of the university and have each had moments of individual excitement and success that I would be sad to see leave.”

15. What’s your preferred format for the CFP?

• 12 teams, five auto-bids — 30.2%
• 12 teams, no auto bids — 18.2%
• Go back to four teams — 17.5%
• 16 teams, five auto-bids — 16.6%
• 16 teams, no auto-bids — 11.3%
• 4-4-2-2-1 — 6.3%

Keeping last year’s format was the most popular choice, though fans are ambivalent overall about the expanded playoff. It’s notable that an option the Big Ten has pushed for — four guaranteed bids for the Big Ten and SEC, two apiece for the Big 12 and ACC, one for the Group of 5 and three at-large — was the last-place option.

“The powers that be are going to ruin college football with expanding the Playoff, doing nothing about transfers/tampering and moving away from regional conferences,” wrote Ben K. “The regular season used to be special. Now an Ohio State team can win the national title without beating Michigan. We probably don’t need more than six playoff spots.”

16. How has your consumption of college football changed since the advent of NIL, the transfer portal, revenue sharing, etc.? (Take into account the time/money you spend attending games in person, watching/streaming games on TV, consuming college football content on the Internet, etc.)

• I consume significantly less — 4.9%
• I consume slightly less — 17.9%
• My consumption habits haven’t changed — 68.5%
• I consume slightly more — 6.3%
• I consume significantly more — 2.5%

17. How have your feelings about college football changed since the advent of NIL, transfer portal, revenue sharing, etc.?

• I am significantly less interested — 17.4%
• I am slightly less interested — 30.2%
• My interest has not changed — 52.3%
• I am slightly more interested — 8.4%
• I am significantly more interested — 1.9%

These two questions were designed to test the hypothesis that changes in college football have affected fans’ attitudes more than their habits. The results bear that out: 47.6 percent of fans feel less interested, but only 22.8 percent are consuming less college football.

While interest in college football remains strong, fans are expressing fatigue with the endless tinkering with Playoff formats, conference realignment, player movement and legal wrangling.

“The transfer portal, revenue sharing and NIL do not bother me in the least,” wrote Andrew R. “However, expanding the playoff field to an absurd 12 teams has ruined the sport and greatly reduced my interest. Conference expansion at the same time has not helped, either. The regular season no longer matters, officially, so why should we care about it? It’s a real shame.”

18. Which of the Big Ten’s media partners has the best overall production?

• Fox — 57.8%
• CBS — 23.9%
• NBC/Peacock — 10.3%
• Big Ten Network — 7.9%

Michigan fans are divided on the Gus Johnson/Joel Klatt combo, but the Big Noon window is their clear favorite. It’s interesting to me that while Ohio State fans clamor for fewer noon kickoffs, Michigan fans would gladly take more if it meant fewer night games. Perhaps that’s because night games are a relatively recent phenomenon at the Big House.

19. Michigan Athletics has a $15 million budget shortfall that will be covered by central campus as a result of the House v. NCAA settlement. Long term, which of the following would be acceptable ways to cover the costs of revenue sharing? (select all that apply)

• More events at Michigan Stadium — 75.1%
• Advertising at Michigan Stadium — 44.2%
• Private equity — 28.7%
• Smaller athletic department staff — 22.7%
• Higher ticket prices — 17.6%
• Cutting sports budgets — 11.6%
• Eliminating sports — 5.6%

Hosting events at Michigan Stadium seems like a no-brainer, and I’d expect more of those in the coming years. Michigan hasn’t made a decision on permanent advertising at the Big House, but the wording of Manuel’s email made me think it’s only a matter of time.

“Permanent advertising in Michigan Stadium has been a topic of discussion for many years, predating my tenure at Michigan,” Manuel wrote. “It’s essential for us to assess all potential advertising opportunities to generate new revenue while respecting our traditions. Every decision we make will take into account Michigan’s traditions and values while also understanding the decisions we need to make to continue to support the success of our teams.”

As someone who didn’t grow up attending games at the Big House, my first reaction was, “Wait, Michigan doesn’t have advertising at the stadium?” I can’t say that I notice the difference when I travel to other venues, but I understand that some longtime fans have strong feelings about it.

“Never, ever have advertising in or around Michigan Stadium or the uniforms!!” wrote a fan named Jim.

Fans may not like it, but if the alternative is cutting sports or raising ticket prices, they’ll take the ads. For a fan base that’s more tradition-minded than most, Michigan fans expressed a surprising openness to private equity funding, too.

“College football is trending toward the structure of the English Premier League,” wrote Dana B. “As such, Michigan should get ahead of the game and bring in private equity investors ASAP.  Without a doubt this is the direction the sport is headed.”

That’s not quite the last resort, but it’s fairly low on the list of options. Fans can think of much better ways to pay for those new revenue-sharing deals.

“Eminem at the Big House, anyone?” wrote Sen A.

(Top photo: Rick Osentoski / Imagn Images)