Michigan Football: Three Questions Following Win Over ECU

Should we be concerned about Michigan football O-line?

This is probably the biggest overreaction I’ve been seeing across the media, but it is a valid question following Saturday’s game. The offensive line, touted as being a top-two offensive line in the nation, had a relatively poor game by their standards.

Michigan rushed for only 122 yards, and neither Blake Corum nor Donovan Edwards surpassed 100 yards, something that seemed like a certainty. Along with that, JJ McCarthy faced some pressure and even took a couple of scary hits. Against ECU, that can’t happen.

Well, there is a pretty simple explanation for the “struggles”. ECU knew they were extremely outmatched, so they did the only thing that would give them a chance. They stacked the box and brought tons of pressure, both to stop the run and hopefully force McCarthy into some mistakes.

They were pretty successful at stopping the run, but McCarthy torched the ECU defense. It’s a formula the Wolverines are likely to see against most teams that can’t out-talent them. It’s the best formula for an upset.

The Michigan football offensive line was able to hold its own for the most part, despite being outnumbered on the majority of plays. They played a pretty disciplined game, and there weren’t many glaring flaws.

It’s important to remember that this is a new offensive line with three new starters (counting Karsen Barnhart starting at a different position). It’s going to take some time for the line to get into a rhythm, and it should be no reason for concern right now. Especially once you remember that offensive line coach Sherrone Moore was watching the game from home.

It’s early, kinks are going to be ironed out by the end of the season.