After winning it all last season, the Michigan Wolverines are hoping for lightning to strike twice in their current campaign. The thing is, their performance has a lot left to be desired, even though they’ve stacked up a win in college football’s Week 1.
In the lead-up to a pivotal matchup against the Texas Longhorns, Michigan’s offensive line came under scrutiny after a mixed performance in their opening game. Head coach Sherrone Moore, who previously oversaw the offensive line, acknowledged the unit’s need for improvement following a 30-10 victory over Fresno State. Despite the win, Moore noted that the line’s performance was not where it should be, emphasizing the importance of refining their techniques and details.
The offensive line featured five new starters, marking a significant change from last season’s team. While there were some miscommunication issues, such as a sack due to a breakdown between players, overall mistakes were limited but detrimental. The team’s early drives struggled, with the first five failing to gain traction.
Pro Football Focus rated Michigan’s pass blocking at 61.8, placing them 107th out of 132 teams, while their run blocking fared better at 69.5, ranking 36th. Moore expressed optimism, recalling that previous seasons showed marked improvement from the first to the second game.
Moore is expecting the offensive line to rise to the challenge against Texas, reflecting on their potential for growth and cohesion as they face tougher competition. The upcoming game will be a crucial test for the Wolverines’ offensive front as they aim to solidify their performance.
Michigan Wolverines Receive Concerning Assessment After College Football Week 1 Win
Despite getting a win during Week 1, the Wolverines are still seen as not having a good start to their season. This is explained further in an analysis by Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon.
“The reigning champs survived a scare.
On one hand, that’s the meaningful part for Michigan. Losing to Fresno State would’ve been disastrous, but a victory—no matter how unappealing—can reduce how bitter a mood is after the game.
The opposite view is not so optimistic. Fresno State is a solid Mountain West contender, but the new-look Wolverines looked limited offensively for much of the game. Davis Warren averaged a meager 4.5 yards per throw, and Donovan Edwards rushed for only 27 yards on 11 carries as Kalel Mullings instead paced the ground game. Michigan had just a 13-3 lead into the fourth quarter before pulling away.
As expected, the Maize and Blue put a terrific defense on the field. The experienced unit ceded 247 yards, dominated against the run and carried Michigan to its 30-10 triumph. For the Wolverines to get past No. 4 Texas next weekend, though, the story of this offense needs to change in a hurry,” Kenyon wrote.
The Wolverines are projected with a challenging path ahead. With a new quarterback and a tough schedule, analysts foresee a potential 9-3 record, impacting their playoff hopes.
Despite a strong defense, the uncertainty at quarterback and losses to top teams like Texas and Ohio State could hinder their chances. However, a marquee win against Oregon might still keep their playoff aspirations alive.
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