We’re talking only about positives here for the Michigan football offense. First, Jordan Marshall will gain yards. If Justice Haynes is back from injury, he will, of course, gain yards too. Second, the line blocking will be very good, with holes and good protection. The blitz pressures aren’t on them necessarily because that starts with the QB recognizing that it’s happening, what the D is going to do, and what the O needs to do to get something productive. That aside, what’s the third positive thing?
Tight ends
Michigan football senior Marlin Klein (23.1 yards per catch), junior Zack Marshall (17.7), sophomore Hogan Hansen (14.3), and sophomore Deakon Tonielli (4.7 with a long of 28) are dudes with good hands. They’re big, fast, and agile. They’re mismatches for opposing defensive backs (too big) and linebackers (too fast/agile). They run very good routes. Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey knows this, and here’s hoping that freshman QB Bryce Underwood does too, because he’ll need to trust that they’re open and will catch it if it’s near them (and the ball isn’t triggering triple digits on the radar gun). The simple routes have to be added to, which means seams and deep crosses IN THE MIDDLE where Bryce has missed much more than he’s hit. “There’s gold in them there hills!” Bryce just needs to hit them.
Donaven McCulley
Grad wide receiver Donaven McCulley has at least one (usually more) explosive play each game and is capable of much more. But the defense knows that. In man-to-man, he is open regardless of who is covering him, but the ball has to get there before the “over the top” help does. In zone, the defense knows where he is, and if McCulley is open, the ball has to get there before they do. Chip has shown that he can scheme McCulley open (example, the one deep shot to the end zone versus Purdue); he just has to call them. The less certain part of the equation is does Bryce see it in time and make an accurate throw? Magic 8 Ball’s response to that is “Ask again later.”
Don’t scramble Bryce, run!
Bryce’s run stats are pretty good: 51 carries for 343 yards (sacks are included) with four TDs and a long of 71. The designed runs are fairly successful, but his scramble ones could be much more impactful. Bryce tends to hold on to the ball and scan downfield, and he’s been disciplined about throwing into traffic on the scrambles. But at this point in his development, when no one’s open or his protection is compromised, he should tuck it away very, very securely, and head up field. One cut and hit the afterburners. Guaranteed yards.
Why not all three?
Michigan football fans are a greedy lot, so let’s ask for all three, making it five positive things the offense does. The linchpin is Bryce and his development. Seeing it. Trusting it. Executing it. It is easy to be pessimistic after the past few offensive displays, but Michigan has positioned itself so that the College Football Playoff and beating OSU are possible. Do the Wolverines take that big next step and highlight the tight ends, get it to Donaven more, and get Bryce to create chaos when he’s sprung from the pocket? Let's ask the Magic 8 Ball.
We'll start to find out Saturday.