Eric Boggs
As Ohio State fans, we’ve been waiting for this moment: watching Michigan fumble its way through a season. After three successful seasons, including three straight Big Ten titles and playoff appearances, the Wolverines are finally coming back down to earth in 2024. Their early struggles? Oh, it’s a beautiful sight.
Let’s be real, Michigan hasn’t looked like themselves all year. Sure, they scraped by a decent Fresno State team in Week 1, but it was far from convincing. Then came the main event—a Week 2 beatdown at the hands of Texas, in the Big House no less. The Wolverines couldn’t move the ball, their defense got shredded on third downs, and the offensive line was a mess. By the time they woke up, the game was over, and Texas had left Ann Arbor with a 31-12 victory. Ouch.
If that wasn’t bad enough, Michigan followed up by barely escaping Arkansas State yesterday with a 28-18 win. Yes, you read that right—Arkansas State! It’s the kind of game that, in years past, would have been a comfortable blowout for the Wolverines. But this season, they’re struggling even against lesser opponents. The offensive line issues, turnovers, and missed assignments we saw against Texas didn’t magically disappear, and it showed.
Michigan’s offensive line, which used to be a brick wall, is now crumbling under pressure. Quarterback Davis Warren has spent most of his time running for his life, and when he hasn’t, he has been throwing picks. Backup Alex Orji came in, but let’s not kid ourselves, the problem runs deeper than just the quarterback. When your O-line is allowing pressure on over 80% of plays, as Michigan’s did against Texas, it doesn’t matter who’s under center.
We have been preaching this for months: Michigan just doesn’t have the depth this year. They lost 13 players to the NFL draft, and it’s showing. This isn’t the same team that bullied Ohio State and steamrolled their way into the playoff. The trenches, where games are won and lost, have become a weak spot, and the lack of depth is glaring. Even Michigan’s coaching feels off. Sherrone Moore, stepping in for Jim Harbaugh, is already feeling the heat. And let’s be honest, Michigan fans are already missing Harbaugh, who’s now coaching the Los Angeles Chargers.
Speaking of Harbaugh, remember when he was almost run out of town a few years ago? It feels like we’re back to those days. Michigan fans are in full panic mode, especially with a brutal schedule looming. Games against USC, Oregon, Washington, and, of course, Ohio State are still on the horizon. Heck, even Michigan State and Illinois are no longer guaranteed wins. ESPN’s Heather Dinich said it best—this team could easily finish 7-5. From what we’ve seen so far, it’s hard to argue with that.
Michigan’s offense is a shell of what it used to be. Their passing game is so limited that their leading receiver for the last three weeks has been a tight end. That’s not exactly a formula for success. And the defense? They’re getting pushed around like they’re back in the pre-Stalions days when Harbaugh was facing pay cuts and the program was stuck in mediocrity.
So what’s next for the Wolverines? USC comes to town with a much-improved defense in what could be a playoff eliminating game for the Wolverines.
For us Buckeye fans, it’s the perfect setup. Michigan’s supposed to be a rival, but they haven’t looked like one this season. The idea of Ohio State taking them down in The Game, while watching their playoff hopes crumble, is too sweet to pass up. Here’s to hoping Michigan’s struggles continue—and to watching them fall flat on their faces come November.
