Michigan's offense needs a bold overhaul. Unleash the passing game, dominate the trenches, and score consistently to challenge the elite.
For Michigan Football to consistently compete with the upper echelon of the sport, specifically rival Ohio State, and solidify a spot as a perennial Top 12 program, the offense must undergo a significant evolution. The 27-9 loss to the Buckeyes underscored a painful truth: while the program boasts a young, talented core, their offensive scheme and overall explosiveness currently lag behind the nation's elite.
Aggression in the Air: Unleashing the Passing Game
The most immediate and critical adjustment for the Wolverines lies in embracing a more aggressive and contemporary passing attack. Ohio State's defense, while elite, was able to suffocate Michigan's offense by not fearing the downfield threat. A reliance on conservative, run-heavy formations and extra linemen, while a foundation of the program's recent success, limited the big-play potential and left freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood with a season-low 63 passing yards in the rivalry game.
Michigan must:
- Increase Early-Down Passing: Force the issue early in drives. Instead of defaulting to predictable runs, incorporating early-down passing, especially play-action, will challenge opposing linebackers and create easier throws for the quarterback.
- Maximize Bryce Underwood's Potential: Underwood, a former No. 1 overall recruit, is a dual-threat talent. The coaching staff must trust him to operate a more diversified, downfield attack. His low completion percentage and struggles under pressure suggest a need for a system that better utilizes his mobility and arm talent. Leaning heavily into play-action passing, where his efficiency and yards per attempt are significantly higher, is a clear starting point.
- Recruit/Develop Elite Receivers: Ohio State's success is built on a "Wide Receiver U" pipeline, consistently featuring NFL-caliber talent like Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, who can win one-on-one matchups. Michigan needs to land a true No. 1 wide receiver in the transfer portal or through high school recruiting to elevate the entire offense.
Winning the Battle in the Trenches: Line Play and Depth
While Michigan prides itself on its offensive line, the unit’s pass protection against elite pressure remains a point of concern. Quarterback pressure significantly degrades efficiency, and the line struggled to keep the pocket clean against the Buckeyes.
- Improve Pass Protection Schemes: The entire unit, including running backs and tight ends in blitz pickups, needs to solidify its pass-blocking to allow the quarterback to go through his progressions without duress.
- Develop Depth: The offensive line and running back rooms need substantial depth. Injuries at running back, such as to Justice Haynes, placed a precarious workload on Jordan Marshall, who runs with a punishing, physical style. Developing backup talent like Jasper Parker and Bryson Kuzdzal is necessary to keep their lead back fresh for the season's crucial final stretch.
The Red Zone and The Portal: Efficiency and Talent Injection
Two final, key areas demand immediate attention to push the Wolverines into the elite tier:
- Red Zone Efficiency: Michigan's struggles in the red zone are costly, converting potential touchdowns into field goals and allowing opponents to remain in games. The Wolverines ranked 107th nationally in red-zone scoring in the recent season, a statistic that must be flipped. Against top teams, field goals are not enough; touchdowns are non-negotiable.
- Strategic Transfer Portal Use: While high school recruiting is strong—anchored by the likes of Underwood and top offensive line prospect Andrew Babalola, the transfer portal is essential for immediate talent upgrades, particularly at the No. 1 receiver spot and potentially experienced offensive line depth.
The foundation of a Top 12 program is in place. Retaining the current talented young core is paramount, but the offensive identity must evolve from a conservative, ground-based approach to a more balanced, explosive, and aggressive pro-spread system that can stretch the field both vertically and horizontally. This schematic shift, combined with targeted portal acquisitions, will be the blueprint for Michigan to keep pace with rivals like Ohio State and contend for national championships for years to come.