Before each Ohio State game, Eleven Warriors catches up with a media member who covers the opposing team to get his or her perspective on the Buckeyes' upcoming opponent.
Michigan
Wolverines
For the second straight year, 247Sports Michigan beat reporter Alejandro Zúñiga joins us ahead of The Game to break down all things Wolverines.
We discussed Sherrone Moore's tumultuous first year, Michigan's struggling offense, landing five-star QB Bryce Underwood and more ahead of college football's greatest rivalry.
A quick editor's note before we begin: Because we know it's likely the biggest topic a large portion of our readers are interested in, we did ask our guest a question about Michigan's outstanding Notice of Allegations from the NCAA. He politely declined to get into it simply because he said any answer he'd give would be complete speculation at the moment.
Coming into Sherrone Moore’s first year, I think it’s fair to say nearly everyone expected at least a small step back from a season ago. I don’t think anyone thought it would be a potential six-loss season, though. What have been your overall thoughts on the disappointing year and do you envision Moore making several changes to his staff this offseason?
Alejandro Zúñiga: It has been a disappointing season, there is no question about it.
Michigan put itself into a difficult situation last year with the combination of a CFP run, a coaching change and a record number of NFL departures combining to create a tumultuous offseason for a new staff. That said, a five-loss 2024 falls well below expectations for a program of U-M’s caliber and makes the upcoming months very important for Sherrone Moore and Co.
I’d hesitate to form any conclusions about Moore right now given the circumstances under which he was promoted, but the next few weeks will provide a good litmus test about whether he can make the necessary decisions about personnel to make his tenure successful. With the Transfer Portal opening in early December, the Wolverines need to be aggressive in pursuing difference-makers, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. At the same time, Moore will have important decisions to make about staff, particularly regarding OC Kirk Campbell.
Up until last week, Michigan’s offense has been a complete eyesore most weeks, though admittedly the Wolverines have stepped up their production in Davis Warren’s second stint as the starter. Why has the offense had so many struggles this year in your opinion?
Zúñiga: The Wolverines replaced all but one offensive starter from a year ago, including their top six offensive linemen and a top-10 NFL Draft pick at quarterback.
Quarterback has been a main storyline for Michigan this year. Davis Warren won the job in fall camp over Alex Orji, but he was benched in game three after throwing a trio of interceptions. Orji is a run-first threat, threw for 32 yards in a win over USC, and himself was pulled after the offense stagnated with him behind center. The Wolverines then turned to Jack Tuttle, a seventh-year senior who had been injured throughout the offseason and probably was never fully healthy this fall. (He has since medically retired from football.) So it’s back to Davis Warren, who has at least provided some consistency, even if Michigan still cannot push the ball downfield meaningfully in the pass game.
Outside of quarterback: The offensive line has struggled in pass protection, particularly at right tackle, and has had numerous injuries to boot. TE Colston Loveland is as advertised as a receiving threat, but he’s been banged up throughout the fall. Receivers have been unproductive overall, but it’s difficult to evaluate them given the rotation at quarterback.
Overall, it’s a unit that still seems to be missing an identity through 11 games. For example: RB Kalel Mullings is the team’s most productive offensive player, but he received only one first-half carry at Indiana and three against Northwestern with no clear explanation given.
Or in the pass game: Michigan is the only team in college football with zero pass plays of 40+ yards this year. Receivers (and tight ends, and running backs) have gotten wide open downfield, so how do you distribute blame between coaching vs. talent evaluation vs. players not executing?
Again, a big offseason looms, because the offensive production in 2024 fell well short of expectations. It’s true Michigan is missing the NFL-caliber talent across the board that it had last fall, but it’s also fair to say U-M hasn’t made the most of its offensive weapons.
Defensively, Michigan is still very formidable up front, but seems very gettable in the secondary, especially given the absence of Will Johnson the past few weeks. What your overall assessment of the Wolverines’ defense heading into the final week of the season?
Zúñiga: It’s a defense that’s playing better. Northwestern isn’t winning any awards for its offense, but Michigan held them to 127 total yards last weekend. Two weeks ago, the Wolverines limited Indiana to 18 second-half yards. After some early season hiccups, Wink Martindale seems to have found a rhythm at DC, though this weekend is his biggest test yet.
The strength of the unit is still up front. The tackles, Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, are both projected first-round NFL Draft picks. Edge rusher Josaiah Stewart has played himself into early-round conversation, and Derrick Moore is having a solid year despite a relative lack of countable stats. Behind them, Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham have developed into a solid and athletic linebacker tandem over the course of the season.
The secondary is where the issues arise. Will Johnson is one of the better cover corners in college football (and himself a future first-round pick). With him sidelined, Michigan has first-year starters at nickel and both corner spots. Of particular concern is tackling, where Jyaire Hill and Makari Paige have struggled this fall. And while Aamir Hall has taken strides, he’s an FCS transfer who will have his hands full with Ohio State’s talent.
Given the plethora of receiver options in scarlet and gray, Will Howard will have favorable matchups if given time to survey the field.
Michigan comes into Saturday with two of its major players dealing with injuries, Johnson and tight end Colston Loveland. In Johnson’s case, even if he gives it a go, how much do you think rust will be a factor and can the secondary step up without him? For Loveland, if he can’t play, how will the Wolverines deploy their passing attack without their No. 1 receiving target?
Zúñiga: I’d expect Michigan to play somewhat conservatively against Ohio State: Keep safeties high, let the Buckeyes take underneath throws and try to get them off-schedule and into third-and-long through the strength of the defensive line. Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate (etc.) will make plays, but the only path to victory for Michigan includes limiting the explosives by dropping seven and still being disruptive with the front four.
Michigan has played without Loveland in key moments this season. Marlin Klein is a Loveland-type tight end who would fill his role; he’s of similar build and athleticism, though not as polished of a blocker, route runner or pass catcher. The Wolverines have no shortage of tight ends on the roster, but no Loveland would probably mean getting Donovan Edwards more involved in the short passing game since he’s someone who presents matchup problems for most linebackers.
What do you envision are the biggest keys to the game on Saturday?
Zúñiga: The biggest key to the game for Michigan is winning the trenches. The Buckeyes are banged up across their offensive line, and that matchup is the only one where U-M has a credible advantage in this game. That needs to be a convincing win for Graham, Grant and Co.
Ditto for the Wolverines on the offensive line. It’s a better run-blocking OL than pass blocking, and it struggles against stunts and exotic pressures. U-M needs to establish its identity on the ground, but the line must be able to protect Davis Warren enough that he can hit an intermediate pass or two that would force Ohio State’s defense to stay honest. Otherwise, Jim Knowles will be happy to fire linebackers and safeties toward the line of scrimmage with the confidence Michigan can’t beat them over the top.
Win in the trenches, limit the number of possessions and grind out a low-scoring game — that’s the path for Michigan, as narrow as it may be.
In off-the-field news for Michigan, the Wolverines landed the commitment of five-star QB Bryce Underwood and seemingly have more resources to spend on the trail and in the portal this offseason. How much of a program-changing commitment could getting Underwood be?
Zúñiga: It’s a pivotal commitment. Referencing what I wrote earlier: My big picture thought is that it’s encouraging that Sherrone Moore identified a problem and took decisive action to resolve it.
Moore was thrust into a tough situation with a late promotion to head coach at a time that negatively impacted roster building and prep for 2024. The year has been a disappointment in a way that raised questions about his tenure. After all, he’s a first-time head coach who rose through the ranks very quickly and was handed the controls to one of the sport’s biggest programs.
Instead of continuing the last administration’s recruiting philosophy (“transformational, not transactional”), Sherrone Moore took the necessary steps to make sure 2025 can be better than 2024. That departure from his mentor Jim Harbaugh’s approach is a good sign that he can have a successful tenure as a head coach — he’s willing to shake the status quo at Michigan, which isn’t easy, for what he perceives is the best interest of the program.
It’s a gamble — and one that means Moore’s future at Michigan rests on the arm of a 17-year-old — but one that was probably worth taking.
Finally, Michigan has won three straight times, but are nearly three-touchdown underdogs on Saturday. How do you envision the game goes and what is your score prediction?
Zúñiga: I expect Ohio State will take care of business at home against the Wolverines, 35-17.
Michigan has nothing to lose in this game. Its season, for all intents and purposes, ends when the clock hits zero in Columbus. They’ll empty the chamber in an upset bid, but I just don’t see the Wolverines moving the ball consistently against one of the best defenses in college football.
The Buckeyes have started games slowly this year, and Michigan’s defense has the top-end talent to make things difficult for Will Howard. But with an OC who is more willing to run the ball, a quarterback who is athletic enough to escape pressure and create his own yards, and the absurd receiver talent, Ohio State will find a rhythm in the second half and should win (relatively) comfortably.
