Coming into the season, it looked like Michigan could have the best backfield in the country with Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter, plus a sprinkle, or more, of Bryce Underwood. Alas, preseason hype has proven to be just that: unknown hype for a backfield that has relied more on the QB running than on producing much from the backs, but it isn't all their fault.
A running back is only as good as his run blocking, and Michigan's offensive line has not set up the backs very well in the first two weeks. Jim Harding was tasked with building a new offensive line this season, anchored by center Jake Guearnera and right tackle Andrew Sprague. That means replacing over half of the line, and it has shown that this isn't quite a well-oiled machine.
The weakness of the offensive line doesn't just affect Underwood when he drops back to pass, but also the run game because the backs have no room to run. This has caused a stall in the run game for the Wolverines, whose running backs have just 109 of the team's 258 rushing yards.
Former Michigan National Champion running back Chris Howard can't believe it and finds it unacceptable that the offensive line and run game are this bad.
"That's not only unacceptable, that's unheard of," Howard said. "That isn't Michigan. I don't care who the head coach is, I don't care who the offensive coordinator is."
NEW: "That's not only unacceptable, that's unheard of. That isn't Michigan."
— HailMedia (@hailmediagroup) September 14, 2026
1997 National Champion running back Chris Howard sounds off on Michigan's run game and 11 penalties despite the Wolverines' 17-10 win over Oklahoma. pic.twitter.com/RslabWp0gh
Michigan's offensive line will be a problem in Big Ten play if nothing changes
Going into fall camp, there was a lot of depth on the offensive line, but knowing who would be starting was the problem. There were guys coming back from injuries, and others who were battling to move into a starter role after being a reserve last season. With three open slots and battles going on through fall camp, it never gave the line time to gel as a cohesive group.
Now, the offensive line is expected to gel in the game, and that hasn't worked out very well the first two weeks, especially on the ground. In the first two games of the season, Underwood has been the leading rusher for the Wolverines...he is the quarterback, not the running back.
Obviously, Underwood has a talent for running the ball, but that won't be sustainable throughout the rest of the season, especially not in Big Ten play. The run game has to go through the running backs, the same running backs that looked like a serious threat before the season.
Marshall and Hiter have the talent to run the ball; there is no denying that, but the offensive line isn't helping them in the slightest. Too often, the backs are being met in the backfield or at the line of scrimmage by the opposing defensive line. As run blockers, the offensive line isn't opening up any running lanes for either back, which is a factor in why the run game has struggled so far.
If the Michigan offense wants to be more than one-dimensional with only Underwood running the ball, the offensive line has to make some changes or figure out how to gel better. Harding had his work cut out for him choosing this line, but now he needs to whip them into shape, especially with only one game left before conference play.
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