Through two games, one of the biggest disappointments for Michigan football has been the pass defense, which is allowing 243.5 yards per game to opposing teams.
Both quarterbacks were experienced. Oklahoma's John Mateer felt like a Heisman Trophy candidate with 333 total yards against the Wolverines.
Opposing passers are completing 64.6 percent of their throws. Last season, that number was 60.1 percent and the total average was 216.
Of course, it's just two games. Michigan football also has been missing a vital piece in the secondary in safety Rod Moore, a two-time All-Big Ten selection.
Moore is most well-known for his game-sealing interception against Ohio State in 2023. But he was critical throughout the 2022 and 2023 seasons, especially, due to his ability to erase big plays on the back end of the defense.
Moore could have entered the 2024 NFL Draft and been a day-two pick. He stayed for another season but tore his ACL last spring. He's been running and getting closer to returning for a game, however, he missed the first two weeks.
Before the Oklahoma game, Moore was going through warmups and looked close to playing. According to head coach Sherrone Moore, who spoke to the media on Monday, there is a "high probability" that Moore will play. Here's the full quote via Wolverines Wire.
"Yeah, we think there's a good chance that Rod can play this week," Moore said. "So we've been very cautious with him. No one knows their body like Rod does, and he wanted to play in that game, believe me. And just the timeline of what we said and how we wanted to do it wasn't where we fit. So, but high probability that Rod Moore plays in the game on Saturday. But we'll see, we want to make sure the week goes, he feels right. There's nothing that goes on. There's no swelling or anything in his knee. And it's been good this past couple weeks. So we'll just take it day by day with him."
For a defense, and a secondary that are struggling, getting Moore back would be huge, and with Nebraska looming next week (Dylan Raiola) it would be great to allow Moore to knock off the rust this week against Central Michigan.