Orange Bowl Preview: Michigan Offensive Line vs. Florida State Defensive Line
DeMarcus Walker (image via Jacksonville )
MICHIGAN
Starters:
- LT: Fifth year senior Ben Braden (6’6″, 335 lbs.)
- LG: Freshman Ben Bredeson (6’5″, 310 lbs.)
- C: Junior Mason Cole (6’5″, 305 lbs.)
- RG: Fifth year senior Kyle Kalis (6’5″, 305 lbs.)
- RT: Fifth year senior Erik Magnuson (6’6″, 305 lbs.)
After suffering a mid-season injury at left tackle, the offensive line was in flux for a while after trying a few different combinations. The players above played the several games together, and they did . . . okay. Michigan is #49 in Adjusted Line Yards and #41 in Power Success Rate, but #114 in Passing Down Line Yards and #80 in Opportunity Rate. They fare better in the passing game (#27 in Adjusted Sack Rate, #26 in sacks allowed), but it’s just a mediocre line altogether. Magnuson was named the team’s lineman of the year by the coaching staff, and Kalis earned some post-season accolades, but that might be more of a lifetime achievement award. Most of the time, the linemen block the right people and stay engaged, but they don’t get a lot of push in the running game and lack some athleticism at the tackle spots.
Key backups: The Wolverines have found a couple solid blocking tight ends in Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. and Devin Asiasi, so the need isn’t there quite as often to play six or seven offensive linemen at a time. However, redshirt junior center/guard Patrick Kugler (6’5″, 303 lbs.) and redshirt sophomore tackle Juwann Bushell-Beatty (6’6″, 311 lbs.) are the primary backups, and Bushell-Beatty has donned an eligible number at times to play a jumbo tight end position.
Hit the jump for a look at Florida State’s defensive line.