If the Michigan football team is going to make the College Football Playoff this season, a few things need to happen.
Bryce Underwood needs to improve. He needs to run the ball more, he needs to throw the ball better, and will probably need to be one of the three or four best quarterbacks in the Big Ten if the Wolverines are going to be a top-12 team this season, even a top-4 team in the Big Ten, which is no easy task.
Three of the top six teams in the Coaches Poll reside in the conference. All three of those teams are on Michigan's schedule, with two of the three on the road.
It's a good thing that Michigan football is projected to have a stout defense. A good defense travels. So does an elite offensive line. We learned that in 2021-2023.
Better offensive line is vital for Michigan's progress this season
After starting three redshirt freshmen last season, who are now just juniors, with the new 5-for-5 rules, Michigan returns four players, along with Evan Link, who are essentially starters. There are others with starting experience, too, such as Nathan Efobi and Brady Norton.
Speaking to MLive, Andrew Sprague said the Michigan offensive line is more "confident" heading into the 2026 season. He also noted a key observation.
"Last year we’d have bad days at practice, and I haven’t felt a bad day at practice yet," Sprague said.
Some might point to coaching. Yet, the Wolverines also have three players who were underclassmen last season and became full-time starters. Frazier started the last eight games. Guarnera started 10 games, while Sprague started 12.
More consistency is what was needed. Jim Harding was a major addition to the coaching staff, and he should further the development of all three returning starters. Frazier is trying to hold off Andrew Babalola for the left tackle job. There has been a lot of buzz about the former five-star recruit, but Frazier has had a great offseason, and seems poised to start, with Babalola used as the extra offensive lineman, at least to start the season.
You wonder when the idea of Frazier and Babalola, each being among the best five becomes true. Babalola suffered a torn ACL as a true freshman, so he's still working his way back into football shape. He just hasn't played, but, after a month or so of the regular season, he might be primed to start.
Either way, this offensive line is as deep as it has been since the 2023 season. Michigan has two players, Sprague and Guarnera, whom Texas was trying to steal away in the portal. Frazier and Babalola each feel like starting-level players, as do Link, Norton, and Efobi.
Sprague saying Michigan football's offensive line is more confident sounds like camp speak. Yet, the talent of this group has never been questioned. It's only a matter of time before it becomes great. That was clear last season.
That time, with Jim Harding and Kyle Whittingham as the head coach, might be sooner than expected, which might be the most important development on the team, outside of whatever happens with Bryce Underwood, although his job will be easier, too, with an elite offensive line.
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