More Questions to Answer for Michigan After Another Win

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For the second straight week, Michigan (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten Conference) had a dominating first half and a dismal second. It took a controversial offside call on an onside kick for the Wolverines to avoid the possible disaster of Minnesota (2-3, 0-2 ) getting the ball back for a chance to win the game on Sept. 29.

Poor clock management, not moving the ball consistently and mistakes almost cost the Wolverines the game. In Week 4, No. 13 USC (3-1, 1-1) adjusted at halftime and took the lead before Michigan took it back with 30 seconds left. This week Minnesota's adjustments again caused Michigan's offense and defense to have a bad second half, but this time Michigan was able to hold onto the lead, just barely, and beat Minnesota 27-24. 

Despite the win and claiming the Little Brown Jug trophy, the Wolverines—once again—have questions to answer. Only this time, the questions are on both defense and offense. Michigan's schedule doesn’t do them any favors, and if they can't put it together there will be a few losses coming up for the Wolverines.

No-Threat Passing Game

Michigan, for the second game with Alex Orji as the starting quarterback, demonstrated zero threat in the passing game. Orji did have a better game statistically throwing the ball this week but it's still not close to where it needs to be for Michigan to compete in the B1G. Against USC, Orji went 7-of-12 for 32 yards, and this week 10-of-18 for 86 yards with averages per completion of 4.6 yards (USC) and 8.6 yards (Minnesota). 

The lack of any passing attack has allowed opposing defenses to stack the box and focus solely on stopping the run. Michigan's offensive imbalance has made it incredibly difficult for the Wolverines to move the ball with any consistency. Orji has shown no signs of being able to proficiently throw deep, intermediate or short passes. Orji's inability to spearhead an efficient passing attack doesn’t enable Michigan to loosen up opposing defenses, making it that much harder to run the ball.

The question needs to be asked, how did the Wolverines get to the point where they don’t have an answer at quarterback? It’s also time to question why Michigan didn’t hit the Transfer Portal for an upgrade at the QB position in the offseason.

Lack of WR1

It's five games in and Michigan still has not established a No. 1 wide receiver. Michigan TE Colston Loveland has been the Wolverine's most reliable weapon in the passing game but after him, it's seemingly a big question mark on who should be targeted next.

Through five games this season, Michigan WRs seem to go missing for large portions of the game. Some of that is attributable to the lack of passing plays called. When passing plays are called, the WRs have yet to show an ability to create space and get open. In five games this year, Michigan has yet to have a WR amass more than 100 receiving yards in a game.

Tempo Cracks Defense Again

Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale was brought in to bring stability and maintain the defensive scheme that Michigan has played the past few years. But so far this season, Team 145 has yet to look like those defenses. And now there looks to be a big problem developing as the Wolverines defense has struggled to contain hurry-up offenses. 

In the first half, Michigan kept Minnesota's offense quiet and off-balance while creating turnovers to help the offense. Minnesota's used a faster pace offense in the second half and when they did the Gophers moved the ball without much trouble. Minnesota, down 25 -3 at the start of the fourth quarter, was able to put 21 points on the board quickly because of Michigan's inability to contend with the hurry-up offense. No. 1 Texas (5-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) used the hurry-up offense to expose Michigan’s defense, and now that it worked for Minnesota, future teams will go to it right from the start.  

The Michigan coaching staff must reassess what to do on both sides of the ball. The schedule for the Wolverines doesn’t get any easier with games against Washington (3-2, 1-1), No. 19 Illinois (4-1, 1-1), Michigan State (3-2, 1-1), No. 8 Oregon (4-0, 1-0) and No. 3 Ohio State (4-0, 1-0) all coming up. If Michigan can’t find a way to threaten in the passing game and slow down the faster pace offenses, the Wolverines won't get too many wins in the next two months.

Orji is clearly not the answer at QB. So do the Wolverines give Davis Warren another shot or do they move to true freshman Jadyn Davis and see what he can do under center? No matter what head coach Sherrone Moore does, the criticism of not going out and getting a QB in the portal is justifiable. At Michigan, having an adequate QB should never be a problem.