Whatever happens, Kalel Mullings has to be RB1 for Michigan football

Too many times this season, when it comes to the Michigan football offense, I've wanted to channel my inner Ed Harris from "Apollo 13" to say "What do we have on the spacecraft that's good?"

There have been times during the first few weeks when the answer might have been nothing. Almost nothing if it weren't for Kalel Mullings.

The quarterback position has been an adventure -- to say the least -- and the offensive line hasn't been a work in progress which isn't something I expected.

Expectations for some of these guys were too high. Part of that is getting used to a Michigan football coaching staff that seemed to turn water into wine as they did with Kris Jenkins and Mike Sainristil. Nobody thought they would be NFL players and there they were last April going in the second round of the NFL draft.

But outside of Colston Loveland, who is currently hurt, the Wolverines don't have a true threat in the passing game. At least not one that puts fear into defenses as Roman Wilson did or even as Cornelius Johnson did as a deep threat.

With Orji at quarterback, the offense didn't dramatically change. The run-pass ratio did, but it wasn't like the Wolverines invested a ton in the QB run game. They didn't. The threat of Orji running still helped even things up in the box though and the difference felt immediate.

But back to the original question of what's good on the Michigan football offense? Kalel Mullings is still the answer. It all starts with him.

Donovan Edwards had a good day against USC but Michigan doesn't win without Mullings who got just 17 carries in the game and just nine before the final drive.

Kalel Mullings is Michigan football RB1

That can't happen again. Mullings is clearly RB1. Hell, he looked like Marshawn Lynch on that 63-yard run in the fourth quarter. He dragged a USC defender for about 5 yards before spinning out of a tackle with a dude wrapped around his waist.

It was incredible and it's clear that Mullings needs to be the focal point. Edwards should have a role going forward as a running back and a receiver. Orji, Edwards, and Mullings should be on the field all the time together.

But against USC and Texas, it happened one time. That's hard to explain because if you put Edwards in the slot, you could throw him the ball, hand him the ball, or use him as a decoy. It would be a nightmare for defenses and Michgan won't even try it.

Maybe they are saving it for something but I'm not sure what. The offense will expand with Orji but it's not going to change dramatically. Not in a week. So double down on Mullings and invest heavily with the one thing on the spacecraft that you know is functioning at a high level.