No. 23 Michigan heads out west for matchup with No. 4 USC to tipoff Big Ten play

Michigan has gotten off to a strong start this season and the No. 23 Wolverines will try and close out 2024 with a big victory when they visit No. 4 USC on Sunday.

The Wolverines won 10 of their first 12 games with the lone losses coming against then-No. 1 South Carolina and No. 9 Oklahoma. Michigan will have a good idea where it stands after the next two weeks as the team plays USC followed by No. 1 UCLA three days later. The Wolverines then return home to face No. 10 Ohio State a week later.

“If you told me we’d be in this spot, no, I wouldn't have thought it,” coach Kim Barnes Arico said in a phone interview. “I know the rigors of our conference and the first three games it's really important we stay positive and buy into the process.”

It's one of the best starts in Barnes Arico's time at Michigan. The Wolverines have a talented freshman class led by Syla Swords, Mila Holloway and Olivia Olson. The trio are all averaging in double-digits in scoring with Swords and Olson both averaging more than 15 a game.