The Michigan Wolverines return home this weekend to take on the Central Michigan Chippewas after a brutal loss last weekend, and Maize n Brew staff members have a lot to chat about in this week’s Roundtable! Among the topics include takeaways from the loss last Saturday, what we are most concerned about, what we want to see the most out of the team this weekend, and more.
Last week was a doozy at Oklahoma. What are your main takeaways coming out of that game?
Von: Chip Lindsey had a bad night calling
plays, and this offense needs Marlin Klein to get healthy quick.
Matt: The more things change, the more they stay the same. For as great as a coach that Jim Harbaugh was (and make no mistake, he’s a legend), the one thing he did that infuriated me to no end was he absolutely refused to let his quarterback get hit. J.J. McCarthy could have ran for hundreds of yards at Michigan, but Harbaugh was overtly conservative. I hoped Moore would be different. The training wheels are still clearly on for Bryce Underwood and it cost Michigan the game. In an era where college quarterbacks run wild across the country, it’s clear Michigan still prefers to be in the stone age despite having Vince Young at quarterback.
Grace: Bryce Underwood is a freshman. The offensive line is still learning. The defensive line needs to improve.
Nick: This offensive line and wide receivers aren’t much better than they were last year. It doesn’t matter what plays Chip Lindsey calls or the scheme he brings — if the line can’t protect Bryce Underwood and receivers can’t get open quickly, this passing game isn’t going to develop as much as we’d like it to. Playing against New Mexico, these things didn’t pop up as much (for obvious reasons), but playing against better opponents with stronger defensive fronts could expose this offense.
Andrew: 1) Take a breath. This was Michigan’s hardest road game against the best quarterback and defensive play caller of the season all rolled up into one. The Wolverines played excessively porous and still had a chance to win in the fourth quarter.
2) Michigan is facing an offensive identity issue for the second year in a row. Now, this isn’t to the severity of last year following the blowout loss to Texas at home, but the Wolverines have to figure out who they are before worrying about opponents. Also, please spare us the coach-speak of wanting the offense to be “multiple.” That is not an identity and is the equivalent of checking “N/A” on an answer form.
Sam: My biggest concerns were play calling and tackling. I would have liked to see Lindsey dial up some more downfield shots. I know the Oklahoma defense played great, but it still felt like too conservative. Defensively, that was some of the worst tackling by a Michigan defense I’ve seen in years. Sure, injuries played a factor and this team is far from a finished product. But time and time again it felt like they missed crucial opportunities.
Dan: This coaching staff has to be better, and I think it starts with Sherrone Moore. The comment on Monday about not wanting him to use Bryce Underwood’s legs because of injury concerns worries me. That’s the only way this team reaches its full potential.
What are you most concerned about from the Oklahoma game, and how high is your overall concern level for the team on a scale of 1-10?
Von: I’m super concerned about the offensive line. Oklahoma’s defensive line is considered good, not great, and the Wolverines’ offensive line got pushed around more often than not. Giovanni El-Hadi being taken out of the game made matters even worse, as his replacement, Nathan Efobi, really struggled and gave up two quarterback hurries and two pressures. Hopefully El-Hadi’s injury isn’t too serious and he’s back in time for the Nebraska game. My overall concern level is at about a 4 right now, but I’m also not feeling stellar at the moment and it could be higher depending on how this week’s game goes.
Matt: I’m incredibly concerned about the offensive line. While long term the Wolverines should be fine (i.e. in 2026 and 2027) due to excellent recruiting as of late, the short term prognosis appears to be a disaster. The Wolverines couldn’t pass block or run block against a defense that just threw the kitchen sink at them because they knew Michigan had no answer. As the offensive line is the heartbeat of a football team, my concern is at a 9.
Grace: My concern level is probably at a 5. I think Oklahoma is very talented and the Wolverines just have some room to grow. I am concerned about some of the little things that seem like a lack of mental preparation, but I’m not going to freak out after Week 2.
Nick: I’ll echo what I said above, but specifically point to the offensive line. Everything starts up front and if the offensive line isn’t able to protect, the ceiling of the offense is greatly limited. Oklahoma’s defensive front is pretty good and the Wolverines were playing in a tough environment, so I’ll keep my concern at a 5 for right now, but there’s potential for it to get higher.
Andrew: The offensive line. Of all of the underwhelming performances, I question whether or not the offensive line has a high enough ceiling to compete with the top dawgs. But overall concern is low. Maybe a 2 or a 3.
Sam: Can we consistently get pressure with light rushes? I’m not sure. Overall level is still low, however, and I have plenty of faith in this group. I’ll go with a 4.
Dan: The offensive line, and it’s probably a 7 or 8. That number gets even higher if Gio El-Hadi is out for the long term. Michigan has to be able to move the ball on the ground to be successful. I question their ability to do that in two weeks against Nebraska. That should be a very telling game for the status of this team for the rest of season.
With the obvious caveat being tomorrow’s game is against CMU, what do you want to see the most out of the Wolverines this week?
Von: Going off my answer to the previous question, I need to see this offensive line play with its hair on fire. This needs to be a game where the Wolverines’ offensive front dominates an overmatched defensive line. Of course, the Chippewas will make some plays, so I’m not demanding a perfect game by any means. But to instill some confidence and get back on track, the offensive line needs to play a great game from start to finish.
Matt: The offense has to be opened up via the vertical passing game and some designed quarterback runs. Even though CMU is likely to be overmatched, Michigan desperately needs to gain cohesion, communication and confidence among the offensive line and wide receiver groups.
Grace: I’d like to see a dominant defensive line, great coverage in the secondary, Jordan Marshall make a few big plays, and more connections between Bryce Underwood and his receivers.
Nick: I would like to see the defense shore up its tackling a bit, as this is still an issue that stems from last year. The Sooners were able to bust through a couple arm tackles, much like New Mexico did. We’ll have to see if another inferior opponent is able to find success in the short passing and screen game.
Andrew: Dominance. I want to see a team refocused and committed to execution. This will show they have turned the page and are only focused on improvement and momentum heading into Nebraska.
Sam: More aggression. Whether it be deep shots or hitting opposing ball carriers, the Wolverines need to be more tenacious against Central.
Dan: I want to see rhythm. Both Michigan’s offense and defense should dominate this game. Against Oklahoma, the offense really never found anything that worked, and the defense kept getting beat by quarterback runs. I want to see them figure things out, and quickly, to put away an opponent that has no business keeping it close.
Give us a bold prediction for tomorrow’s game.
Von: The defense scores a touchdown. To make it even more bold, I’ll say Ernest Hausmann gets a scoop-and-score, with the fumble being forced by TJ Guy.
Matt: The offensive still looks sluggish but Wink Martindale’s defense plays angry and forces three turnovers.
Grace: I think I’ve been going a little too bold this season. This week, I’ll say Jordan Marshall makes a big play and scores a touchdown.
Nick: I think we’ll see a big touchdown run from Jordan Marshall. Justice Haynes has broken through for a big run each of the last two weeks, but I think it’s time for his running mate to have a turn making a big play.
Andrew: Bryce Underwood throws for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns, but also throws his first interception. A couple years ago, LSU head coach Brian Kelly told quarterback Jayden Daniels that he wanted him to not be afraid to throw an interception. So much so, he almost congratulated him on his first pick in 2023. Daniels was too focused on perfection and was, in turn, playing timid. Underwood is a young quarterback who needs to throw his first interception to start learning his limitations and understanding how to grow from these mistakes in real time. A relatively low stakes game represents a great opportunity for Underwood to explore the boundaries of his talent with limited consequences.
Sam: Jordan Marshall scores two touchdowns.
Dan: The Wolverines keep Central Michigan to less than 1.5 yards per carry in a dominant win.
What’s the final score and why?
Von (2-0): Michigan 42, CMU 7. The Wolverines bounce back in a get-right spot and head to Nebraska with a renewed confidence.
Matt (1-0): Michigan 38, Central Michigan 10. Central Michigan just doesn’t have the horses to keep up with Michigan this year.
Grace (1-1): 35-10, Michigan. I think the Wolverines will bounce back in this one and look more confident than the past couple weeks.
Nick: (1-0): Give me Michigan winning, 47-10. I think the Wolverines get back on track and look better than they did the last two games. Underwood and the offense should look much more comfortable at home against a lesser opponent, while the defense should shore up some of its fundamental errors.
Andrew (2-0): Michigan cruises, 38-6. The first quarter gets off to a sluggish start with a little malaise from the loss lingering, but then the Wolverines flip the switch and run over an inferior opponent.
Sam (0-0): 38-7, Michigan. I think they start a little slow but Haynes/Marshall open everything up for Underwood and the passing game. I’m expecting a dominant defensive effort, too.
Dan (1-1): Michigan, 49-7. Bryce Underwood and Chip Lindsey come out with something to prove after a poor performance last weekend. Michigan has more than 400 total yards of offense and Underwood doesn’t see the field in the fourth quarter.
