You always learn things about a football team coming out of a bye week. Michigan football was no different. The Wolverines addressed some issues and made changes to the depth chart.
The most notable change was the move of freshman wide receiver Andrew Marsh into the starting lineup. According to PFF Snap Counts, Marsh played 52 snaps against Wisconsin, which resulted in four receptions for 80 yards, including two catches of more than 20 yards.
Shaking up the lineup can pay off in a big way. We have seen that with Marsh and also Jaishawn Barham on the defensive side of the ball. Even with Rod Moore coming back, even in just 18 snaps.
One or two players can make a huge difference, and here are four Michigan football players who should be on the field more against USC this weekend.
Andrew Marsh
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound wideout from Katy, Texas, earned more opportunities, Michigan football head coach Sherrone Moore said on Monday, which is exactly what should happen. Donaven McCulley is the clear No. 1 wideout for Michigan. Marsh is the clear No. 2.
McCulley played 55 snaps against Wisconsin. Marsh played 52. That needs to continue. I'd argue those guys both need to be on the field even more.
USC has a great offense. But the Trojans have allowed more than 31 points in each Big Ten game to Michigan State and Illinois. So if there is a game where Marsh and McCulley should be unleashed, this is it.
Rod Moore
Clearly, Rod Moore has been on a pitch count the past two weeks. The last thing Michigan wanted to do was rush him back before he was ready.
Moore made his first appeareance against Nebraska. But last week, against Wisconsin, you could feel the impact of Moore in just 18 snaps.
There were three game-changing plays made by Moore. The first was in the first quarter. Wisconsin had a tight-end screen set up. There was nobody home except for Moore, who broke up the pass and nearly intercepted it.
Then, there was a reverse run by Wisconsin, and everyone bit hard, but Rod Moore. He knifed across the field, avoiding a one-on-one block to make a tackle for five yards when it could have gone for a huge gain, maybe even a touchdown.
Moore also had an interception. He did all of that in just 18 snaps. At some point, the pitch count has to go away. After two games, maybe it's time to let him loose. He looked faster than ever against Wisconsin, and if he's 100 percent, I'd love to see him on the field for every defensive snap.
Jaishawn Barham and Derrick Moore
It's not that Jaishawn Barham and Derrick Moore havent been playing. Moore had four pressures and a sack against Wisconsin, coming on the final offensive drive for the Badgers to force a field goal.
Moore played 34 snaps against Wisconsin. Barham played 33. I understand that Michigan football is trying to keep those guys fresh. You don't want your EDGE rushers playing every single play.
However, it feels the five-man EDGE rotation could be shortened up a bit. TJ Guy has played well. His grade wasn't far behind Moore and Barham. Guy struggled at the start of the season but has started to look like the guy, who had 5.5 sacks last season.
Getting pressure on the quarterback will be paramount on Saturday. So for one thing, it might be time to cut Dominic Nichols out of the rotation. It's been happening. He got six snaps against Wisconsin but his snaps should go to Barham/Moore, unless the game isn't competitive.
Cameron Brandt is a solid player. Guy is too. Yet, 52 snaps between Guy, Brandt, and Nichols seems like too many. More of those need to go to Barham and Moore.
Just 5-10 more snaps for each player, especially in key situations, could have a huge impact on the outcome of the game.