Can the Michigan football offense fix a key issue?

So far this year, the Michigan football offense has been impressive but has seen its fair share of setbacks as well. The Wolverines have scored a total of 65 points through two games (while taking the starters out by the end of the third quarter in both games) en route to a perfect start to the 2023 season. While JJ McCarthy and the passing attack have exceeded expectations to this point, the rushing attack — especially running back Donovan Edwards and the offensive line — has been very quiet thus far. Today, against Bowling Green, can the Maize and Blue right the ship?

Michigan football offense looking to fix a key issue

The Bowling Green defense is nothing that Michigan football should be too concerned with; however, after struggling on the ground two weeks in a row, the Maize and Blue need to get something going today. Running back Donovan Edwards is yet to impress, and the offensive line has been pretty average in run blocking so far — both issues that the Wolverines will be looking to address before starting Big Ten play next weekend.

“Run game, the thing I’m looking at is the inefficient plays,” Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh said earlier this week. “They’re outnumbering the efficient runs — efficient runs to me are four to nine. Explosives are 10 plus, and nonefficient runs are zero to three, and we have far too many of those. It’s a combination of really everybody. We’ve got to block better in the perimeter. We gotta get the safeties better blocked by our wide receivers. Tight ends are really playing well.

“Offensive line — we’re missing a guy here. It’s one guy and a play,” Harbaugh continued. “Guys are coming off the second level and making plays. And running backs — when I say guy here a guy there, it’s a missed cut here, it’s a missed cut there. But it’s something that we’re very focused on and emphasizing.”

Offensive line not an area of concern for the Maize and Blue just yet

Additionally, Michigan football offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore said that — while the rushing attack has not been as good as the Wolverines would like — it’s seeing some progress.

“Definitely progressed from week one to week two,” Moore said of the Michigan football offense. “You can see that. Obviously not where we want to be in our standards, so we’re going to continue to emphasize it. And that’ll be addressed today. The guys have already been in; they’ve already watched the film. So guys understand where we need to be and how we need to get there. So we’re gonna take the necessary steps to make sure that we’re better to our standards where we want to be. So we want to be dominant in all phases, not just in protection, but in the run game. Leave no stone unturned, so we’re gonna continue to do all the things we need to do to get there.

“Good football team, man,” Moore added, talking about Bowling Green. “They’re well-coached. You can tell scheme-wise they do a couple of different things, a multitude of different things. And coverage-wise, they changed up a little bit from what they’ve done last year, but pretty consistent from what they’ve done with the new play-caller. Obviously, a Michigan guy that’s been here with Coach Morrison. So, excited for the opportunity on Saturday. A lot of good players, they fly around, they play fast, they play physical, so it’ll be a great challenge for us.”

This evening, keep an eye on the Michigan football offense — especially Donovan Edwards and the offensive line — to work things out and get back to the usual dominant presence that fans are used to seeing.

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