That’s an ugly score. I didn’t mind writing about a 27-24 victory when it came to the USC game, but I do have a problem with it after playing the Minnesota Gophers. In the game preview, I predicted a 38-13 victory. I had heard that Colston Loveland was likely to play, but I also assumed Will Johnson would play and I had no idea that Josaiah Stewart would miss the game. Regardless, Michigan has had some injury issues in past years against lesser Big Ten programs, and it didn’t have a huge effect. Michigan had to hang on in a nail-biter here, and that doesn’t bode well for the rest of the season.
Hit the jump for more.
Michigan coaches probably laughed at my game plan. First, let me be clear . . . I’m under no illusion that the coaching staff is reading my site for the game plan. And I also don’t post my preview until the day before the game, so it would be nearly useless anyway. That being said, I mentioned on Friday morning that Michigan should put Stewart over Minnesota right tackle Quinn Carroll and let Will Johnson followed around Minnesota wide receiver Daniel Jackson. That would have been a great plan for success. But . . . neither Johnson or Stewart played. Sure enough, Jackson scored a touchdown (7 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD) and Carroll posted the second-worst pass blocking grade of the day (44.0), just barely ahead of left guard Tyler Cooper (43.6), who got roasted by Mason Graham repeatedly. In my opinion, that final score would have been significantly different with Stewart getting a couple sacks Johnson blanketing Johnson. Perhaps this should make Michigan fans feel slightly better, because it indicates that a full-strength Michigan would be much better. But you can never count on being full-strength down the stretch of the season. Injuries happen, and you need to have people ready to step up.
I hate Michigan’s offense. I understand why Michigan started the season with Davis Warren as quarterback. I think that was probably a worthwhile experiment. I also understand why Warren had to be benched; throwing 6 interceptions in three games is just not acceptable. That being said, this offense isn’t being adapted to the athletic skill set of Alex Orji. Where are the designed runs adding him to the run game to even out the numbers? I’m talking about QB iso, QB power, etc. Where is the triple option pitch man? Where are the easy throws created by the threat of Orji as a runner? The frustrating thing is that I do like Kirk Campbell, but he’s not meant to be coaching an offensive player like Orji. They’re two square pegs being forced into round holes. Campbell does not have a history of being able to use a player like Orji. I’m not someone who calls for coaches’ heads, but I’ll put it this way: I don’t think Orji will be Michigan’s QB in 2025, but if he is, it will be because Michigan found a new offensive coordinator with established success using a run-oriented quarterback.
Michigan is hurting at WR. I’m sorry, but this is going to be my new gripe to be heard every week until something changes. Michigan is not going to return to relevance as a national championship contender until they stop running out receivers who have no business starting at a place like Michigan. Kendrick Bell is a redshirt freshman at 6’2″, 191 pounds, who is not big . . . or fast . . . or strong . . . or elusive . . . or crafty. Amorion Walker has barely been seen on the field despite his speed, but it’s because he’s 6’3″ and just over 180 pounds. Peyton O’Leary should be an occasional sub, not someone averaging 20 snaps per game. Even with a good quarterback, Tyler Morris and Semaj Morgan are complementary pieces, not #1 guys. Morgan is probably the most dynamic, but he missed the Minnesota game due to injury. The pieces here just don’t match.
No, Minnesota wasn’t offsides. That first onside kick by Minnesota was unfairly ruled offsides. Minnesota wasn’t offsides. They recovered and had a chance to score a game-tying field goal or a game-winning touchdown, but the officials screwed them over. Except . . . Minnesota illegally touched the ball before it went 10 yards. And they were also blocking a Michigan player before the ball went 10 yards, another illegal act. It should have been a re-kick, and Kalel Mullings recovered the ball cleanly on the second one. Game over.
Keepings things in perspective. Michigan is 4-1 at this point, which is where most people expected the Wolverines to be. None of the games have been as pretty as we wanted – even the Texas loss was expected to be more competitive – but there was supposed to be a drop-off, and we’ve seen it. If Michigan continues to stack ugly wins, it will be frustrating but okay. Next week the Wolverines will take on a struggling Washington team that just lost to Rutgers, but it will be a good test, since Washington has a solid defense. They’re only giving up 12 points per game and they’re tied for #7 in yards allowed per play (4.07).
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