For the first time since the national championship game, we saw Michigan football on the field. It was just the spring game, but it was the first look at Team 145 all the same.
There was plenty to like in a game that saw the Maize team win 17-7. There were 10 points scored in the first half, followed by a pair of Davis Warren touchdown passes in the second. One of those was to Fredrick Moore. The other went to Kendrick Bell.
Michigan football didn't play its star players long. But we still learned plenty about the Wolverines are here are five we learned on Saturday, starting with the quarterbacks.
Quarterback battle is far from settled
Alex Orji and Davis Warren each had their moments. Warren threw the ball better than any other quarterback, but Orji, who rushed for a touchdown, wasn't able to do what he does best. Run the ball.
Orji is going to be much more effective when the design run is part of the gameplan. That didn't make sense in a spring game but based on that, and the way he threw the ball, Orji is still my bet to be the starting quarterback.
This competition is far from over. Kirk Campbell said Michigan football wasn't thinking about the transfer portal in terms of a quarterback, so the starter is on the roster. Jack Tuttle could work his way into the mix too and a platoon is always possible, but Orji feels like the best bet to me.
Orji didn't have the flashy throws down the field, but we have to remember, Warren did what he did against the reserves. The spring game is sort of like the preseason in the NFL. It doesn't always predict success.
Michigan football looks like Michigan football
Outside of the quarterbacks, what stood out to me was the physicality. Ohio State didn't have its starters live tackling last week but there was none of that "thud tackling" on Saturday.
Michigan football conquered Ohio State the past three season precisely because they were the more physical team. Michigan runs the ball better, blocks better, tackles better, and just wants to hit. That hasn't been Ohio State the past couple of years.
Being tough isn't about words. It's about action. It's the difference between thud tackling and tackling, all the time. Michigan's quarterbacks weren't live, but that's it. Everything else was full go and you could see the benefit. Michigan flew to the football. The offensive line held up well and you could hear the pads popping.
Ohio State might have great wide receivers and more 5-star talent, but I have doubts that the Buckeyes have gained any ground in the toughness department.
The O-line will continue to be a strength
One of the biggest question marks outside of the quarterback position, is the offensive line. There is plenty of talent on the roster but Michigan football lost its top six offensive lineman to the NFL.
Greg Crippen is taking over at center. There won't be much dropoff and he's going to be an NFL player. Josh Priebe and Giovanni El-Hadi were also held out due to injury. I'm not worried about them either. El-Hadi has started games and the O-line didn't skip a beat, plus Priebe was an All-Big Ten selection last year for Northwestern. Raheem Anderson is another G/C that's coming on.
I was keeping a close eye on the tackles. Myles Hinton played well and I have little doubt he'll start at left tackle if he's healthy. He has the chance to be a dude. Yet, the guy who grabbed my attention was Andrew Gentry.
Genry was a top-100 recruit at one time. He went on a Mormon Mission out of high school and then flipped from BYU to Michigan football. It has taken a couple of years, but he's back to himself. Genty was blowing dudes off the ball. It was impressive and I think Michigan has found its right tackle.
Jeffrey Persi and Blake Frazier also did some good things. Amir Herring too. Overall, the offensive line held up well and quality play up front will be a staple of Sherrone Moore's team now and in the future.
Defensive depth is overrated issue
Defensive depth has been another hot topic of conversation. Michigan football has shown some interest in cornerbacks, linebackers, and defensive lineman.
While you can never have enough depth, after watching the spring game, I feel pretty good about where Michigan football stands. T.J. Guy had a sack and looked like a capable third rusher. Kechaun Bennett also played well. Jimmy Rolder would have had a sack, plus a holding penalty drawn if the game was live and the youngsters in the secondary impressed me.
Zeke Berry is a third-year guy now. He's going into his junior season but he looked like a starter and played a bunch of snaps in the nickel role. Ja'Den McBurrows, Jyaire Hill, and D.J. Waller all impressed too. There were some tough moments, such as a blown coverage by Waller, but Hill had a nice deflection down the field. Waller also had an interception.
We'll see if Michigan loses any players to the portal, but outside of a cornerback, or an extra defensive tackle, there isn't much to worry about on the defensive two-deep.
Defense, running game can be elite
Michigan football still has a lot of the same elements that allowed the Wolverines to win three consecutive Big Ten championships. J.J. McCarthy was a key part of the formula and he was essential in getting Michigan over the hump.
But the Wolverines also won a Big Ten title without an elite quarterback in 2021. Ohio State had C.J. Stroud and some of the best wide receivers you will ever see and Michignan football beat Ohio State without barely throwing a pass in the second half.
Great defense and a great running game. Those have been two critical components for Michigan football and they aren't going anywhere. The defense, as long as it doesn't lose any starters in the portal in the next week, will be one of the best in college football.
Donovan Edwards looked good in his short time on the field, ripping off a few runs of 10 yards or more. He's got a good burst, added weight, and seemed more patient between the tackles. He took the first play, a power with a pulling guard for a first down. Patience was the key and last season, that might not have gone for a couple of yards instead of a first down.
Kalel Mullings looked good too and when the offense includes designed runs for Alex Orji, you can easily see Michigan leading the Big Ten in rushing yards. If the Wolverines do that and play elite defense, they can win enough games to make the 12-team playoff.
Beating Ohio State and winning another Big Ten championship is another matter. But this program isn't falling off a cliff. At least not in 2024.