Why Michigan Football deserved honor as nation’s best O-line

Michigan football and Sherrone Moore were named the top offensive line in the country on Tuesday and here’s why the Wolverines deserved it. 

When Michigan football fans look back on the 2021 season, just about every single one will agree that 12 wins and a Big Ten championship could not have happened without the play of the offensive line.

And on Tuesday that idea was given a lot of credence as the Wolverines were given the Joe Moore Award, the honor that goes to the best offensive line in the nation.

The front five was flat-out dominant and was all year long. Michigan football’s offensive line helped the Wolverines average 37.7 points per game which ranked 13th in the nation.

Michigan’s passing game became better and better down the stretch, but early on, it was all about the running game which averaged 223.8 yards per game, as well as 5.3 yards per attempt.

Not only did the Wolverines rank 10th in the nation in rushing yards, but U-M ran the ball when it needed to all season long, with the primary example being the Ohio State game, as well as the Big Ten championship game against Iowa.

Michigan struggled most against Michigan State but still would have won that game without a late turnover and some terrible officiating.

Additionally, while there are some stellar offensive lines out there, such as Georgia’s, which is probably the most comparable to Michigan’s, the Wolverines led the nation in the fewest tackles for loss allowed (27) and also the third-fewest sacks allowed at just 10.

The offensive line was at its best when it mattered most

In the second half of the Ohio State game, Michigan football scored four rushing touchdowns and on the last two drives, basically didn’t have to throw the ball cause the front five was so utterly dominant. It was a sight for sore eyes.

The Wolverines also ran successfully against a stout Iowa defense in the Big Ten title game, a win that included a 70-yard touchdown run in the first quarter by Blake Corum.

Over the years, when Michigan football has been at its best, the offensive line has been a huge part of that. In the 1990s and early 2000s, tons of offensive linemen were going to the NFL draft, and even a few years ago, all five guys that started would end up getting drafted at some point.

The rise has been coming and under the direction of new offensive line coach Sherrone Moore, the Wolverines looked as good as any of those classic groups and they have a Big Ten title to prove it.

And an award that names them as the best offensive line in the country.