Week Seven Know Your Opponent: Michigan Wolverines
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Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh
Overall: 135-52 (80-25 at Michigan)
Bowl Appearances at Michigan: Seven
2022 Record: 13-1 (9-0)
Mascot: N/A
Colors: Maize and Blue
Outfitter: Jordan Brand
National Titles: 11
Conference Titles: 44
Heisman Winners: Tom Harmon, Desmond Howard, Charles Woodson
Last Week: 52-10 over Minnesota
Statistical Leaders
Passing: J.J. McCarthy – 97-125 (77.6%) – 1290 yards with 11 touchdowns
Rushing: Blake Corum – 494 yards (5.95 ypc) with ten touchdowns
Receiving: Roman Wilson – 22 catches for 382 yards with eight touchdowns
Tackles: Junior Colson – 27 tackles
Stat of the Week: Through six games, the Michigan Wolverines are bludgeoning teams. They are currently outscoring opponents 224 to 40 for an average of 37.3 to 6.7. The points per game allowed of 6.7 is the best mark in the country.
Wolverines Talking Points
1. Is this the year?
Michigan has all the ingredients necessary to make a run at a national championship. The Wolverines coaching staff believes they have nearly 30 players on this roster that could be selected in the upcoming NFL Draft, a number that would break an all-time record. They have an experienced quarterback in J.J. McCarthy, a good receiving corps, a terrific duo of running backs, one of the nation’s best offensive lines and a dominant defense. In addition, they are driven by the defeat to TCU in last season’s playoff semifinals. Michigan played the early portion of the season on cruise control but have dominated teams at will and look the part of a national champion.
2. Offensive Efficiency
Michigan has not been particularly explosive, particularly in the dropback passing game, thus far in 2023. Rather, their offense has been dominant through efficiency. The Wolverines are gaining 6.95 yards per play with 15 rushing touchdowns and 12 passing touchdowns thus far. They are converting more than 55% of third down attempts and have a red zone success rate of 85%. In short, the Wolverines do not have the most explosive passing game in the country but they have bludgeoned opponents with efficient drives that move the ball down the field and then are converted to touchdowns.
3. Dominant Defense
Through half of Michigan’s schedule, Minnesota became the first team to score in double-digits against the Michigan Wolverines. The Golden Gophers scored points, a number that qualifies as an offensive explosion against this defense. East Carolina gained 235 yards, UNLV had 229, Bowling Green had 203, Rutgers gained 257, Nebraska managed 305 yards (including five yards per carry) and Minnesota was held to 169 total yards. It is fair to point out that Michigan’s schedule has been incredibly soft thus far but it is also fair to say that Michigan has been utterly dominant against whoever has lined up against them. Indiana is attempting to work in a new offensive coordinator as Rod Carey takes over play-calling duties and this is a very difficult squad to try and build any sort of confidence in the new direction.