Grades and game balls from Michigan football win over MSU

Oct 21, 2023; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Mike Sainristil (0) celebrates with defensive back Ja'Den McBurrows (18) at the end of their game with the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports /

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Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy looks to throw against Michigan State during the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. /

Offense: A

The offense wasn’t flawless on Saturday night but McCarthy sure was. He bailed Michigan football out on third and long a few times and was 6-for-6 on the money down.

However, Michigan’s running continues to have a tough time finding the traction it did a season ago. Blake Corum got 59 yards on 15 carries and the Wolverines were stuffed on a third-and-short.

That was the only time the first-team offense punted. McCarthy is playing as well as any quarterback in the country but the running game averaged less than four yards per attempt.

Teams are loading up more in the box to stop the run but if Michigan is going to win the national championship and beat Ohio State, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards will need to be more productive.

The offensive line will need to be better too. There was too much pressure and too often, the offensive line failed to open up a hole against Michigan State. This group isn’t what it was last season but it should be playing better at the same time.

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