3 keys for Michigan football against Arkansas State

It feels like Michigan football fans have spent most of the week talking about the Texas game and rightfully so.

We all knew that there was going to be some drop off this season. Nobody was expecting the Wolverines to win the national championship again or another 15-0 season.

But there was an expectation that Michigan football would be a very good team again. Hence, the top-10 ranking in all of the preseason polls.

Michigan can still be a good team. There were some signs against Texas, but there were also some troubling things happening as well. The coaching staff needs to start playing the right guys for one thing and the offensive line needs to be figured out, pronto.

If the offensive line doesn't improve, it's going to be a tough year for the Wolverines. All of the talk about Davis Warren being a Cade McNamara type would be great if Michigan had the pieces around him, but this isn't 2021.

Looking ahead to Saturday against Arkansas State, Michigan football is still a heavy favorite, and here are three keys to coming away with a convincing win over the Red Wolves and regaining some confidence heading into Big Ten play.

Run the damn ball, well

Outside of a couple of drives against Fresno State, Michigan football has really struggled to run the ball. The Wolverines are averaging just 116 yards per game. They are getting just four yards per attempt and that's not going to cut it.

Of course, it doesn't help when Kalel Mullings, the best pure running back on the team at the moment, spends most of his time on the sideline.

It's hard to fathom. Just like it's hard to fathom why Michigan can't figure out how to incorporate Donovan Edwards into the pass offense.

Even so, Michigan has to get this running game going. Arkansas State is allowing teams to gain 6.2 yards per rush, so if Michigan football can't run it on them, it will be time to panic.