Michigan football O-line is inexplicably on Joe Moore Midseason honor roll

Michigan football won its first Joe Moore Award back in 2021, which is given out to the best offensive line in college football. The Wolverines actually won it twice, going back-to-back.

At the start of the season, I would have expected Michigan football to be in contention for the Joe Moore Award again. I'm not saying that I expected the Wolverines to win the award, but there seemed to be enough talent on the offensive line to be one of the nation's best.

At least one of the best offensive lines in the Big Ten. But through six games, that hasn't happened. Michigan does have solid rushing numbers and is getting 230 yards per game over the last four, as well as nine rushing touchdowns.

But the pass protection has been bad. Even as a team that doesn't throw it often, the Wolverines are ranked 42nd in college football in sacks allowed. They are also 38th in tackles for loss allowed.

Evan Link has graded out, according to Pro Football Focus as the worst pass protector in the Power 4. He hasn't been the only issue though. There have been injuries too and some bright spots. Michigan football is one of just two teams to have two rushers with over 350 yards in the Big Ten.

Through all six games though, Michigan is averaging just 193 rushing yards per game. The rush offense has been good and was great against USC. Outside of that, it's been pretty average.

So when Michigan was named as one of just 22 offensive lines to the Joe Moore Award midseason honor roll it's hard to see why. I can't say with a straight face that the Wolverines offensive line is one of the 22 best.

It could still get there, but that's how the offensive line performed in the first six games.