If you thought Michigan would to start the season where they left off, you were sorely mistaken. Many of their best players graduated to the NFL. The best Michigan head coach in decades departed for his second stint in the NFL. The new head coach literally just signed his 5-year contract. To cap it off, the Wolverines had to break in a new quarterback against a well-coached, motivated Fresno State.
The Michigan Wolverines had a few things going for them though. Their new head coach, Sherrone Moore, has been with Michigan since 2018. Their new defensive coordinator, Don “Wink” Martindale, is the self-acclaimed “OG” of the defense Michigan has ran since Jim Harbaugh arrived in Ann Arbor as head coach. Finally, the Wolverines had two superstar players left on the roster. Colston Loveland and Will Johnson are two of the best players at their prospective positions in the whole nation and they both have national championship rings.
Fresno State has always been a well-coached hard-nosed, tough football team. What they lack in talent they make up in fundamentally sound football. Michigan found out firsthand when they were in a virtual stalemate the first half of the game. Though Michigan scored quickly after securing a costly turnover during the Bulldog’s first drive, the Michigan offense struggled to find its footing as their young quarterback threw an interception and the offense sputtered into punting three times in the first half. Fresno State shocked the Wolverines offense by dominating the line of scrimmage for much of the game.
Michigan finally managed another scoring drive in the second quarter with 7 minutes to go in the half. The Wolverines executed a 13-play drive, bleeding the clock down to a mere 29 seconds left in the half. Though they failed to punch it in for a touchdown, Dominic Zvada kicked a 45-yard field goal to go up six points.
The Wolverines continued to struggle at finding an identity on offense in the second half. However, they managed to kick a 53-yard field goal to open the third quarter. Colston Loveland, tight-end, played a key role in the drive as he did in the drive to end the half. In fact, up to this point in the the game, in their two field goal drives, Loveland captured four receptions for 48 yards. One of those receptions was a 20-yard play on a third and six. Loveland’s big play ability coupled with his consistency kept the Wolverines viable in the first three quarters of the game.
Michigan didn’t find their offensive identity until the fourth quarter with ten minutes left to go in the game. Last year the Wolverines bread and butter was the power rush game. As the game was in its waning minutes, the Wolverines finally started executing their power rush game as Donavan Edwards and Kalel Mullings combined for 54 yards rushing on their last drive. Finally lulling the Bulldog defense to sleep, Colston Loveland caught a beautifully designed play action pass play and galloped into the end-zone for a touchdown. The final nail in the coffin occurred about eight plays later when Will Johnson picked off a wide receiver screen play and ran it back 86 yards for a defensive touchdown. Echoes of the great Charles Woodson flashed as number two streaked down the field.
Michigan football is still here. The coaches must remember what makes Michigan football great. Smash mouth football is the Wolverine way. Michigan has a couple of good parameter players in Tyler Morris and Semaj Morgan who can surprise defensive backs after they the offensive line pounds the defense into submission. However, Loveland is Michigan’s best receiver. He should be a high round draft pick as his blocking skills are superb. The Wolverine running backs are fast and powerful. They are also experienced national champions.
Additionally the Wolverines appear to have an affective defensive line with Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham returning to anchor the interior while they reloaded with effective ends. Coastal Carolina transfer, Josaiah Stewart snagged two of Michigan’s three sacks against Fresno State. Finally, Michigan special teams will have to continue to be key. Dominc Zvada earned his NIL money today, kicking 45, 53 and 55 yard field goals.
If the Wolverines are going to make a run at the inaugural playoff for the college football national championship, they will have to lean into what their real identify is: smash mouth football and a stingy aggressive defense.
