Michigan Football: 3 overreactions from the win over ECU

These are three of the most absurd overreactions from Michigan football’s adequate win over East Carolina.

Last year Michigan football was a second-half team. On Saturday they were a first-half team. They only scored seven in the second 30 minutes, but only gave up a gloomy field goal with five seconds left and should have put more points on the board. They are far from a finished product but got off the bus for the three-month week-to-week marathon on the right foot.

Here are the three overreactions from the rather tepid win.

1. Blake Corum is still not 100%

Corum stated that he was ready to roll before the season, so saying this would be an overreaction. He didn’t have his 100-yard plus stellar affair, but he didn’t need to and won’t need to for a while.

However if for some inexplicable reason, he’s not fully healthy, then he’s close and didn’t appear to show any side effects. He and the coaches are being as cautious as they should be when it comes to the All-American’s health.

Donovan Edwards got a series for himself and had a mild impact. The plan was to air it out more and they achieved that goal.

The running backs will certainly have their day, but to achieve the goals in the postseason, they must prep for anything until that time comes. For now, it could be the J.J. McCarthy show and that will definitely make the offense more balanced and dangerous.

2. Josh Wallace has secured the second starting cornerback spot

All of the scrum coming into the season was who would be the starter opposite Will Johnson. Wallace got the start and Keshaun Harris filled in for Johnson.

Wallace was expected, but Harris has really excelled since the spring. Playing like he did on Saturday will calm the nerves of those who don’t believe that Michigan football has depth at that position.

Amorion Walker was absent as well. He needs all the time in the world that he can get for reps. He struggled in the spring game, but the coaches have not lost faith in him. When he returns everyone will keep a close eye on how he gets tested by quarterbacks to see if he can be relied upon for even more depth.

Jyaire Hill saw some snaps as well, along with Zeke Berry and if I’m not mistaken, Ja’Den McBurrows. All should see the field for at least the next two games, as long as things don’t go haywire.

To say that Wallace has locked down the second starting corner spot may be a bit premature, thus making this an overreaction for the time being.

3. Michigan football is turning into a pass-first offense

For week one of the 2023 season Michigan football was a pass first team. As time progresses though they have the featured backs to be a ground-and-pound offense that is typical Jim Harbaugh football.

East Carolina’s defense focused on the run, so Michigan used its multi-talented quarterback to pick them apart through the air.

UNLV had a tough time stopping the pass against Bryant in their debut, so J.J. McCarthy may have a similar outcome when he plays the Rebels next weekend. Bryant’s top running back did average 10 yards a crack, which also spells doom for the Rebels front seven this week.

So Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards could break the 100-yard mark unless UNLV makes McCarthy beat them as East Carolina did.

We still don’t know how exactly the road will play out, but this is an overreaction until it is consistently proven wrong.

The backup quarterback role should still be a question mark after week one. Davis Warren didn’t impress and Alex Orji and Jack Tuttle didn’t play. The good thing is Sherrone Moore still has time to figure this out, because if McCarthy keeps playing like this, then the Wolverines will have a decision on their hands.