Texas Proves to Much, Michigan Needs to Find Answers

© Junfu Han/USA TODAY NETWORK

Gus Johnson summed it up best on a Texas Longhorns' touchdown to go up 30-6 against the No. 10 and defending national champion Michigan Wolverines. It was just too easy. No. 3-ranked Texas (1-0) would roll Michigan 31-12 proving they are a contender this season while the Wolverines (1-1) are left to find answers.

In Week 1 the struggles to find a rhythm stood out and fans hoped that it was new offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell not wanting to show anything.  Week 2 revealed that the worries on offense are legitimate.

The question becomes can it be fixed before Big Ten Conference play opens with a matchup against No. 13 USC, who looked like a top-10 team after Week 1?  

It's only Week 2 and the second-guessing of head coach Sherrone Moore and staff to not go into the Transfer Portal and upgrade key positions is already starting. This offseason Michigan decided to stick with their guys and run with the QBs on the roster and after two weeks it looks to be the wrong decision. Michigan's play calling in the opener looked uncreative and vanilla at best, while wide receivers, quarterback and offensive line all look to be a problem in 2024.

If questions on offense weren’t enough, new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale's play calling resembled that of former DC Don Brown. "Wink" looked to bring the pressure often, but the only problem was when you don’t get home, you leave yourself open for big plays. And that’s what Texas did. Using quick throws and runs when key players were out, the Longhorns to moved down the field with surgical precision. It's only Week 2 but should Michigan fans start to worry?

Ewers Heisman, Warren Questioned

It didn’t take long for Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers to show that Week 1 was no fluke. His command of the offense was on full display. Going into the game, the key matchup was the Texas offense vs Michigan defense and as it turned out—it wasn’t a match at all. Ewers took what the Michigan defense gave him. He was able to step up in the pocket when needed and moved the ball effortlessly.  

In the first half alone Ewers was 18-for-26 with 203 yards and 2 touchdowns. Ewers averaged 11.3 yards per throw, dissecting Winks's defense. Ewers came into the game as a Heisman Trophy candidate and just added to it. By the time the clock hit zero, Ewers would finish 24-for-36 246 yards and 3 TDs.  

Unlike Ewers, Michigan quarterback Davis Warren wasn't able to move the ball with any efficiency against Texas. Whether it’s the plays coming in or Warrens's inability to execute those plays, the offense had no ability to throw the ball with any consistency for the second consecutive game. Warren would finish the day 22-for-33 for 204 yards, 1 TD and 2 Interceptions, but most of the numbers came with the game out of hand and Texas relaxed on defense. 

At times Warren did look good, but when playing at this level only looking good at time isn’t good enough.  Michigan's coaching staff now needs to decide on what to do moving forward at QB because Warren and Alex Orji don’t look to be the answer for Michigan to compete moving forward.

Sarkisian Strategic, Wink Answerless

The storyline heading into the game was how Texas coach Steve Sarkisian would deal with Michigan defensive linemen Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham. Sarkisian answered that question fast when the two were in the game and used quick passes to neutralize the duo. When the two were off the field, Texas would run right up the middle in their absence. 

Sarkisian used mistakes by Michigan to go up 24-3 by half seemingly ending the game before the third quarter even kicked off. In the first half, Martindale tried to bring pressure to slow down the Texas offense and it was to no avail. Sarkisian out-coached Martindale at every turn. Texas’ ability to move the ball and Michigan's inability to adapt and change looked eerily like the Brown's defense.

Michigan now needs to go back to the drawing board and re-evaluate just what they want to do. The problem for the Wolverines is the schedule doesn’t get any easier with matches against USC, No. 7 Oregon, Washington and No. 2 Ohio State.

Now Moore and the company only have two weeks to get ready to take on the Trojans.  Moore, unlike former coach Jim Harbaugh will not be allotted the same amount of time to get it right, this is only game two but many Michigan fans are already growing uneasy.