3 reasons Michigan football has failed to meet expectations

The offensive line is a shell of itself

I didn't expect Michigan football to win the Joe Moore Award again, but I expected, in my hearts of hearts, that the Wolverines would have one of the best offensive lines in the Big Ten.

Instead, they have one of the worst.

It's inexplicable. Greg Crippen, Raheem Anderson, Andrew Gentry, Giovanni El-Hadi, Evan Link, and even Myles Hinton were all highly-routed recruits. A few of them were top-100 prospects. El-Hadi has started games and looked good. Jeffrey Persi too.

Michigan also added Josh Priebe from Northwestern in the transfer portal. He's been fine, but the offensive line hasn't been. The pass protection is atrocious. Evan Link's pass blocking could be the worst in the power 4.

The Wolverines have had a revolving door at center, even though it seems clear that Greg Crippen is the better player. But if he's not, why not? Why did these highly touted recruits not develop under Moore during the past three years?

El-Hadi and Crippen should have ascended to the starting lineup and become All-Big Ten caliber players. That didn't happen and the offense collapsed.

It was one thing to have issues at quarterback. But if you're identity is "Smash", a good offensive line better be part of the identity and this season, it just hasn't been. That's maybe the most disappointing and alarming thing about this start.

Sherrone Moore used to be an offensive line coach. He coached these players and was personally responsible for their development. Yet, they are falling short of expectations, just like the entire Michigan football program in 2024.