Michigan Football: It's The Offensive Line You Should Be Worried About

There’s been a lot of attention given to the inexperience in Michigan football’s defensive backfield and at receiver, but don’t look past the offensive line.

Yeah, it’s true that Michigan football is going to have a very young and mostly inexperienced defensive backfield this season. That could easily require some patience. Same with the wide receivers and tight ends, who are having to replace the Wolverines’ top three pass-catchers from a year ago.

Those are both legitimate things to be worried about. But in the fuss over who might emerge as Michigan’s go-to receiver this coming season, have we forgotten what always seems to take precedence over the playmakers?

The left side of the Wolverines’ offensive line sort of fell apart last season. Patrick Kugler began the season starting at left guard and then was replaced in Week 2 by Ben Braden, who started four straight games. Then Braden was replaced by true freshman Ben Bredeson, who started (and played well) at left guard the rest of the season.

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Grant Newsome started the season at left tackle but suffered a gruesome leg injury against Wisconsin and missed the rest of the season. He probably won’t be able to play in 2017 either. Juwann Buchell-Beatty stepped in for one game but was immediately replaced by Braden, who had just lost his starting job at guard. Braden stayed at left tackle for the rest of the season.

The right side of the line stayed the same throughout the season, with Kyle Kalis at right guard and Erik Magnuson at right tackle.

Looking at Michigan’s last game against Florida State, only two of those starting linemen are back this season: Bredeson and Mason Cole.

With Newsome counted out, there’s a big need at left tackle. Cole, who played really well at that spot his freshman and sophomore seasons, will be moving back to his original home on the line. Bredeson will most likely be staying at left guard.

Michigan’s offensive line was working with a lot of good experience last year and finished with an adjusted line rate of 102.3, which was slightly worse than in 2015. According to Football Outsiders, adjusted line rate is basically a way to separate the ability of the offensive line from other factors, like having a good/bad running back. A score of 100 is average.

So yes, Michigan has been very average the past two seasons.

The Wolverines are keeping their best lineman in Cole and perhaps their best up-and-comer in Bredeson. Outside of that, Michigan is rebuilding its line.

As mentioned above, Michigan probably won’t be counting on Newsome to make a full return this season. It was thought that fifth-year senior Patrick Kugler might consider transferring, but he didn’t. Kugler is a versatile lineman who may end up starting at center. Juwann Bushell-Beatty, with one start to his name, is back for his fourth season and could find a home at right tackle.

Right guard might be the most interesting position to keep an eye on. As a freshman last season, Michael Onwenu was praised as the Wolverines’ best lineman behind Bredeson. Along with his contributions on offense, he saw considerable time on the defensive line (tackle and nose tackle). He could be a good fit to slide into that open spot at right guard.

Next: Top 10 running backs in Michigan history

The point of this exercise is to demonstrate two things: first, that Michigan had a chance to excel on the line last season and didn’t, and second, that this line in 2017 is a cause for concern right now.

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Michigan Football: It’s The Offensive Line You Should Be Worried About

By Tyler Fenwick | May 29, 2017

There’s been a lot of attention given to the inexperience in Michigan football’s defensive backfield and at receiver, but don’t look past the offensive line.

More from GBMWolverine