Michigan football players have stated their goal for the rest of 2026 − and it's fairly obvious.
"Win out," both offensive lineman Blake Frazier and wide receiver JJ Buchanan said Tuesday, Oct. 6, when meeting with media after practice at Schembechler Hall in Ann Arbor.
But how? The Wolverines (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten) enter the bye week not only with major problems on offense where they rank in the bottom half of the country in almost every major category − No. 75 in third down conversions (40.7%), No. 100 in rushing offense (135 yards per game), No. 111 in passing (180.8 yards) and tied for No. 114 in red zone (76.9%), − but with apparent discontent inside the program.
Tight end Zack Marshall took to social media to apologize for "inappropriate comments"
he appeared to make regarding the Wolverines and offensive coordinator Jason Beck shortly after U-M's 20-14 loss to Minnesota.
Marshall appeared to send group chat texts, leaked publicly, that Beck told the tight ends "none of us are valuable to this offense." Marshall also said in the chat the offense "sucks" and if blitzed "we have no answers."
"He's come out and said what he wants to say about the situation," Buchanan said. "I think everything else, we'll keep in house."
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The team has even bigger issues on the field: Figuring out a way to translate supposed successful practices into the game.
Coach Kyle Whittingham called it "a disconnect." Frazier also used the phrase disconnect, but cited a different feeling that he's battling.
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"I'd say frustration is the biggest emotion I've felt," Frazier said. "A little bit confused and I think that just stems from the fact that I've watched us, I mean, pick apart our defense and practice. ... It just speaks to what we can be. And so the fact that we're not doing that means that there's some sort of disconnect somewhere."
Frazier didn't agree with a question about if it was a matter of players "pressing" in games, but didn't have any answers as to what the problem has been.
Whittingham said as much postgame and on Monday, on Inside Michigan Football, when he said the offense needs to ensure it's not trying to "put a square peg in a round hole."
Some of that is schematic decisions. While Michigan tried to run downhill more against the Gophers, it still had a handful of east-west plays, most of which lost yardage. When asked if he would like to see more north-south runs, Frazier didn't hesitate.
"I would love that," Frazier said. "I think that's what we have gotten away from a little bit, I know Jordan [Marshall] said that, but yeah, I mean this is Michigan football. Michigan football, you think downhill runs, and so I would love to see that implemented a little bit more. But again, I run the call that is called for me.
"Regardless of what the play call is, we have to execute it."
Berry said he is "surprised" the offense he has seen in practice − "we go at it" − hasn't produced on Saturdays. Michigan is an anemic No. 105 (23 points) in scoring.
Outside of scoring 52 on UTEP, Michigan is averaging 15.8 ppg − only five teams, none of which are in power conferences, are at a level below that. The poor output has given room for fans and others to mock the Wolverines, many of whom are already calling for a staff overhaul.
For Buchanan, who followed his coach, offensive coordinator and position coach from Salt Lake City, the undertone doesn't sit well. He said he believes in every coach on the staff and followed them for a reason, with belief this can be turned around.
The turn around won't be easy. Michigan has four games remaining against teams currently ranked in the top 25 in the coaches poll (Indiana, Oregon, UCLA and Ohio State) and figures to be an underdog in at least three of those games. Michigan's next matchup on Oct. 17 is against an equally desperate Penn State (3-2, 0-2) team.
Still, players are saying the right things, assured that the Wolverines possess what is needed to make a run this fall.
“I feel very confident,” Frazier said of winning out. “I know that we can. I've seen it in practices, and I've seen it in flashes against Iowa against UTEP. We have everything we need, we just have to put it together.”
Tony Garcia is the Michigan beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football staggered, but 1 player 'very confident' it can win out
