Staff Roundtable for Michigan Football vs UConn and much more

What’s been your biggest disappointment?

Cameron: Whatever slight disappointments there are if any is just nitpicking, but so far, I’d say the biggest disappointment has been Michigan’s offensive line. I know it is still early in the season, and Michigan’s offensive line hasn’t been at full strength all season, but they were billed as a unit that could be even better this year than last year. So far, Michigan has allowed more pressure than I thought they would allow this early in the season, especially to some of the worst teams in the FBS in Colorado State and Hawaii.

It has led to three sacks, and Hawaii recorded their first two of the season against Michigan. I don’t think last year’s offensive line allowed a sack until the Nebraska or Penn State game, something like that. Obviously, once Michigan football has the first-team offensive line at full strength they will be much better, and it also helps a ton to have a QB who is mobile in JJ, but I want to see a clean game this weekend against UConn.

Maddie: For me, my biggest disappointment has been the QB battle. Like Cameron said earlier, going into the season, Harbaugh said the QB battle was neck-and-neck and it has not looked that way. I really thought we had 2 elite quarterbacks, but Cade has not looked good at all. I’m sure his confidence has taken a huge hit which probably is impacting his play but I wish the QB battle was more like they advertised. In the first 2 games, it was clear as day who the starting QB should be. I worry about what may happen if JJ gets hurt, so let’s hope we don’t have to worry about that.

Jared: For me, the biggest disappointment has been the offensive line. Losing two starters from the 2021 Joe Moore Award-winning line was always going to be difficult to replace, but I expected more from the returning guys, especially considering the opponents.

Now, I believe they will work these early season kinks out by the time it really matters, but giving up two sacks to Hawaii, who had not registered a sack coming into the game, was definitely disappointing to see.

Brandon: It has to be Cade McNamara. Going into this season I had expected a similar QB rotation to what they had in 2021 with a little bit more work for J.J. McCarthy but once McNamara had his rough start against Colorado State I knew things would be different. Only time will tell how the QB position will work out for Michigan but McNamara losing his job outright and the way things have gone for him has been a major disappointment.

Josh: The lack of continuity on the offensive line. I expected this unit to come out and not miss a beat despite losing Andrew Stueber and Andrew Vastardis who both graduated. Instead, this unit has looked disjointed at times, and players who were promised to be studs in the off-season (looking at you Zak Zinter) have been underwhelming, to say the least.

Chris Peterson: I’m a little disappointed in the play-calling. I want to see more shots down the field and I’d like to see Andrel Anthony get involved. Anthony and A.J. Henning are way too talented to have a combined two catches for 12 yards through two games. You have one of the most talented QBs in the country and a loaded WR room. Open up the offense!