Michigan football vs. Rutgers: 3 crucial game day storylines

Michigan football vs. Rutgers is slated to kick off at noon (ET), which is just a few hours out. From Jim Harbaugh returning to JJ McCarthy needing a bounce-back game, the offensive line woes, and more, there is a lot riding on today’s matchup for the Wolverines. Here are our top game-day storylines to follow throughout Michigan’s 2023 Big Ten opener

Michigan football vs. Rutgers — top game day storylines to watch

1. Jim Harbaugh returns. How do the Wolverines respond?

Despite being three games into the 2023 season, it has been over 300 days since Jim Harbaugh last coached a football game in Ann Arbor (Illinois, 2022). Last weekend, his presence was missed quite a bit as the Wolverines seemingly limped to a 31-6 victory over Bowling Green, making his return to the Big House that much sweeter for the players and fans.

Today, keep an eye on how Michigan football comes out of the tunnel, starts the game, responds to adversity, and more now that its 9th-year head coach, Jim Harbaugh, is back in the building.

2. Can JJ McCarthy bounce back?

Last weekend, despite an impressive start to the season, was an ugly weekend for JJ McCarthy, the second-year Michigan football starting QB. McCarthy, like the offense as a whole, was not on his A-game last weekend, completing eight of his 13 passes for just over 140 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions — all three of his turnovers this year came against Bowling Green.

Today, against Rutgers, keep a close eye on how JJ McCarthy handles last weekend’s struggles and bounces back against the Scarlet Knights.

3. The offensive line needs to prove that it isn’t going to be a problem down the road

I might get some heat for this, but that’s fine — this year’s Michigan football offensive line needs some work. Throughout fall camp, the coaching staff and players were raving about having 10-12 players that could start on the offensive line; that the tackles are four-deep, and more. That said, to this point, we’re yet to see five true starters emerge on the line; more specifically, at tackle.

So far, Drake Nugent has been fine at center, and the guards look solid, but the tackles have not been playing up to Michigan football offensive line standards. Today, we may see Karsen Barnhart switch back to right tackle (where he started last year), and ASU transfer LaDarius Henderson come in at left tackle, though this remains to be seen. Still, if that is the case, Michigan football may be better off, but we will have to see how things play out against Rutgers this afternoon.

The offensive line is an area that we need to see improvement from during Michigan football vs. Rutgers. Eventually, things need to click for the Wolverines, and now that Big Ten play is here, that needs to happen fast.

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