Michigan 28, Arkansas State 18

 

Kalel Mullings (image via Fox)

Just go away already, Red Wolves. I just wanted Arkansas State to quit. Michigan kept gashing them in the run game. Michigan kept stuffing their run game. And yet . . . Arkansas State wouldn't quit. It was 28-3. And then it was 28-10. And then it was 28-18 after a touchdown and a two-point conversion against Michigan's third- and fourth-stringers. So the final was closer than it should have been, because Michigan was trying to get its top players a rest going into the USC game next week. Those two teams are not just a 10-point differential away from each other. But the situation will be forgotten shortly and people will just look at the score. Good for Arkansas State for not quitting, but I wish they would have.

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Preview: Michigan vs. Arkansas State

 

Jaylen Raynor (image via Land Grant Holy Land)

RUSH OFFENSE vs. ARKANSAS STATE RUSH DEFENSE
After two games, Michigan is in unfamiliar territory as the #101 rushing team in the country (114 yards/game) and the #87 team in yards per carry (4.0). The Wolverines are one of just eleven teams in the country with zero rushing touchdowns at this point. Michigan is also tied for #114 in rushing attempts per game (28.0), and that signifies the biggest issue. They have been unable to sustain drives, and Donovan Edwards (8) and Kalel Mullings (6) managed just 14 carries between them against Texas last week. That's not enough touches for two of the three best athletes on the offense. Pro Football Focus ranks Michigan as the #47 run blocking team in the country. LG Josh Priebe and LT Myles Hinton rank as the top two blockers on the line, but there have been some major struggles opening holes. Starting running back Donovan Edwards has managed just 68 yards on 19 carries (3.58 yards/carry) so far this year. Arkansas State is #115 in rushing defense (199 yards allowed/game) and they're #131 in yards allowed per carry (6.22). They've squeaked by Central Arkansas and Tulsa by a combined seven points, but they've given up 235 and 163 yards rushing, respectively, and 5 total rushing touchdowns. Senior hybrid safety Justin Parks (6'0", 197 lbs.) and fifth year senior LB Charles Willekes (6'1", 225) - a former Michigan State linebacker and the brother of former MSU DE Kenny Willekes - are tied for the team lead with 17 tackles, followed by fifth year senior LB Marvin Ham (6'1", 231), a Colorado transfer, with 14 stops. The starting defensive tackles are 288 and 294 pounds, and some of the key backups are in the 270s. If Michigan is going to get back to playing smashmouth football, it needs to start this week against an undersized and less talented defense.
Advantage: Michigan

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2024 Ex-Wolverine Updates: Week 2

 

Alan Bowman (image via SI)

Here's a roundup of the former Michigan player, former commits, and former coaches (or players-turned-coaches). NOTE: I will not regularly post updates about offensive linemen since stats are minimal and just posting PFF grades is kind of boring, but I did this week just to show who's playing where and what their opening day role was.

FORMER PLAYERS

WR Andrel Anthony (Oklahoma): Anthony did not play in a 16-12 win over Houston.

LB Jeremiah Beasley (Missouri): Beasley made 1 tackle in a 38-0 win over Buffalo.

QB Alan Bowman (Oklahoma State): Bowman completed 27/48 passes for 326 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. He also ran 5 times for 7 yards.

LB Semaj Bridgeman (Michigan State): Bridgeman did not record any stats in a 27-24 win over Maryland.

Hit the jump for more.

Texas 31, Michigan 12

 

Davis Warren

What's Michigan's offensive identity? Obviously, Michigan is still trying to feel out what it's good at besides hoping a tight end can make a play. With a walk-on quarterback, it needs to be a run-oriented program. With that being said, Michigan needs to commit to more creativity in the run game. This team can't subsist on 14 total rushing attempts from its top two running backs. Donovan Edwards (8 carries, 41 yards) and Kalel Mullings (6 carries, 25 yards) may not have had great days, but the offensive coordinator (and the offensive-minded head coach) need to figure out creative ways to get them the ball, get them going in the run game, and play complementary offensive football. The offense seems to be very disjointed as the staff appears to be relying on an odd mix of runs and straight dropback passing. They need more misdirection in the run game and they need to get Warren moving a little bit. I don't think the coaching staff has done a good job of adjusting to its personnel this year.

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Preview: Michigan vs. Texas

 

Quinn Ewers (image via Southlake Style)

RUSH OFFENSE vs. TEXAS RUSH DEFENSE
After one week of the 2024 season, Michigan is tied for #79 in yards per game (148.0) and #72 in yards per carry (4.35). Kalel Mullings kinda sorta seemed to take the lead running back role with 15 carries for 92 yards against Fresno State, passing up #1 RB Donovan Edwards (11 carries, 27 yards) in both attempts and yards. Michigan finished #22 in run blocking according to Pro Football Focus, but there were definitely some struggles. New LG Josh Priebe scored the highest in run blocking among offensive linemen (69.9) while new starting center Dominick Giudice was the lowest graded run blocker on the entire team (57.4). On the Texas side, fifth year senior DT Vernon Broughton (6'4", 305) graded out the highest among defenders against Colorado State with a grade of 89.8, but he was just a 56.8 against the run and made 2 tackles. Junior nickel Jaylon Guilbeau (6'0", 190) led the team with 8 tackles, followed by sophomore LB Anthony Hill, Jr. (6'3", 235) with 5 stops. Texas allowed 118 yards on the ground (#66 in the country) and ranked #70 in yards allowed per carry (3.69). I think Michigan will be able to run the ball, but the speed and size on defense is going to limit big plays.
Advantage: Michigan

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2024 Season Predictions

 

Colston Loveland (image via SI)

NOTE: I want to acknowledge that this post is coming out after Michigan's first game. I usually get this post done prior to the season - for obvious reasons - but I was scrambling to finish the countdown and just couldn't get it all wrapped up. Some of these predictions were already shared in the season countdown posts, but some were not addressed.

LEADING RUSHER
I'm not sure how well this prediction holds up after watching game one against Fresno State, in which Kalel Mullings outgained Donovan Edwards. But I believed Edwards would be the lead back and put up a good chunk of yards.
Prediction: Donovan Edwards, 1100 yards

Hit the jump for the rest of the prognostications.

Visitors: Michigan vs. Texas

Julius Holly

1992

Derek Jeter - SS - Kalamazoo (MI) Central: Jeter was committed to Michigan as a baseball player in the class of 1992 but chose to sign with the New York Yankees instead. The Hall of Famer will serve as an honorary captain for the game against Texas.

2025

Avery Gach - OG - Franklin (MI) Groves: Gach is committed to Michigan (LINK).

Julius Holly - DE - Alpharetta (GA) Alpharetta: Holly is committed to Michigan (LINK).

Bobby Kanka - DT - Howell (MI) Howell: Kanka is committed to Michigan.

Andrew Marsh - WR - Fulshear (TX) Katy Jordan: Marsh is committed to Michigan.

Eli Owens - TE - Alcoa (TN) Alcoa: Owens is committed to Michigan (LINK).

Ivan Taylor - S - Winter Garden (FL) West Orange: Taylor is committed to Michigan (LINK).

Hit the jump for more.

All-Time Leaders: Longest Interception Returns

 

Will Johnson (image via YouTube)

On the heels of Will Johnson's pick-six last Saturday night against Fresno State, here's a look at the longest interception returns in program history:

1. 94 yards - Brandon Herron (2011 vs. Western Michigan)
2. 92 yards - Thomas Darden (1971 vs. UCLA)
3. 88 yards - Ernest Shazor (2004 vs. Miami-OH)
4. 86 yards - Will Johnson (2024 vs. Fresno State)
5. 81 yards - Mike Rotunno (1955 vs. Missouri)
6. 81 yards - Mike Sainristil (2023 vs. Washington)
7. 80 yards - David Long, Jr. (2017 vs. Maryland)
8. 73 yards - Josh Metellus (2018 vs. SMU)
9. 72 yards - Blake Countess (2013 vs. Minnesota)
10. 72 yards - Mike Sainristil (2023 vs. Michigan State)

Hit the jump for some videos.

2024 Season Countdown List

 

Colston Loveland

Now that the 2024 Season Countdown is in the rear view mirror, here's the full list so you can see it all in one place.

1. Will Johnson
2. Colston Loveland
3. Mason Graham
4. Kenneth Grant
5. Donovan Edwards
6. Josaiah Stewart
7. Jaishawn Barham
8. Alex Orji
9. Ernest Hausmann
10. Dominic Zvada
11. Myles Hinton
12. Tommy Doman
13. Derrick Moore
14. Giovanni El-Hadi
15. Josh Priebe
16. Semaj Morgan
17. Max Bredeson
18. Tyler Morris
19. Makari Paige
20. Jyaire Hill
21. Kalel Mullings
22. Zeke Berry
23. Quinten Johnson
24. Greg Crippen
25. William Wagner
26. Fredrick Moore
27. a) T.J. Guy, b) Rayshaun Benny
28. Raheem Anderson II
29. Davis Warren
30. Marlin Klein
31. Aamir Hall
32. Jeffrey Persi
33. Jimmy Rolder
34. Evan Link
35. Andrew Gentry
36. Wesley Walker
37. Ja'den McBurrows
38. Amorion Walker
39. Trey Pierce
40. Cameron Brandt
41. Jaydon Hood
42. Jaden Mangham
43. Enow Etta
44. a) Hudson Hollenbeck, b) Adam Samaha
45. Deakon Tonielli
46. C.J. Charleston
47. a) Zack Marshall, b) Brady Prieskorn
48. Keshaun Harris
49. Brandyn Hillman
50. Dominick Giudice
51. Greg Tarr
52. a) Cole Cabana, b) Benjamin Hall
53. Jack Tuttle
54. Ricky Johnson
55. Kendrick Bell
56. Tristan Bounds
57. Micah Pollard
58. Kechaun Bennett
59. Christian Boivin
60. Peyton O'Leary
61. Joe Taylor
62. Deyvid Palepale
63. Evan Boutorwick
64. Aymeric Koumba
65. Tavierre Dunlap
66. Connor Jones
67. Tyler McLaurin
68. Breeon Ishmail
69. Kody Jones
70. Myles Pollard
71. Dominic Nichols
72. Jalen Hoffman
73. Jordan Marshall #23
74. Nathan Efobi
75. Jason Hewlett
76. Joseph Klunder
77. Jayden Denegal
78. Jo'Ziah Edmond
79. Andrew Sprague
80. Henry Donohue
81. Brooks Bahr
82. Channing Goodwin
83. Ike Iwunnah
84. Joel Metzger
85. Cole Sullivan
86. Dale Chesson
87. Jacob Oden
88. Alessandro Lorenzetti
89. Owen Wafle
90. I'Marion Stewart
91. Blake Frazier
92. Ben Roebuck
93. Lugard Edokpayi
94. Micah Ka'apana
95. Chibi Anwunah
96. Joshua Nichols
97. Jadyn Davis
98. Micah Davis
99. Max Reyes
100. Nico Andrighetto
101. Daniel Taraboi
102. Jake Guarnera
103. S Bryce Wilcox
104. TE Noah Howes
105. DT Ted Hammond
106. TE Brandon Mann
107. CB Jeremiah Lowe
108. DT Peter Simmons
109. DE Devon Baxter
110. TE Hogan Hansen
111. LB Alexander Lidback
112. LB Mason Curtis
113. K Stone Anderson
114. OG Luke Hamilton
115. EMPTY DUE TO HAYDEN MOORE TRANSFER
116. EMPTY DUE TO SEMAJ BRIDGEMAN TRANSFER
117. EMPTY DUE TO AMIR HERRING TRANSFER
118. EMPTY DUE TO JEREMIAH BEASLEY TRANSFER
119. EMPTY DUE TO D.J. WALLER TRANSFER
120. QB Anthony Arnou
121. EMPTY DUE TO CRISTIAN DIXON TRANSFER
122. LB Jack Mackinnon
123. S Shomari Stone
124. LS James Kavouklis
125. EMPTY DUE TO DANNY HUGHES TRANSFER
126. EMPTY DUE TO JOSH BEETHAM TRANSFER
127. RB Bryson Kuzdzal
128. DT Manuel Beigel
129. LB Zach Ludwig
130. LB Liam Groulx
131. LB Grayson Dee

Michigan 30, Fresno State 10

 

Davis Warren (image via Clutch Points)

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PWO QB FTW. Well, it was a mild surprise when it was announced that former walk-on Davis Warren was named the starting quarterback for the season opener over Alex Orji and Jack Tuttle. Orji had received most of the hype in the off-season, and Tuttle is the most experienced. But Tuttle has been dealing with injuries and soreness, so he wasn't really an option. Rumors started coming out a couple days before the game that Warren would be the guy. He finished 15/25 for 118 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception and graded out as Michigan's #4 offensive player (69.7 on Pro Football Focus). Overall, I thought Warren was mostly accurate. He overthrew a deep shot to Tyler Morris, and he underthrew Fredrick Morris on an open post route that could have been a touchdown but turned into an interception. There were a lot of checkdowns and short throws, probably by design to make things easy for Warren in his first start. But overall, I thought Warren looked composed and accurate.

Hit the jump for more.

2024 Ex-Wolverine Updates: Week 1

 

Alan Bowman (image via SI)

Here's a roundup of the former Michigan player, former commits, and former coaches (or players-turned-coaches). NOTE: I will not regularly post updates about offensive linemen since stats are minimal and just posting PFF grades is kind of boring, but I did this week just to show who's playing where and what their opening day role was.

FORMER PLAYERS

WR Andrel Anthony (Oklahoma): Anthony caught 1 pass for 4 yards in a 51-3 win over Temple. This was Anthony's first game back after tearing his ACL last season.

LB Jeremiah Beasley (Missouri): Beasley made 1 tackle in a 51-0 win over Murray State.

QB Alan Bowman (Oklahoma State): Bowman completed 25/34 passes for 267 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 44-20 win over South Dakota State.

LB Semaj Bridgeman (Michigan State): Bridgeman did not record any stats in a 16-10 win over FAU.

Hit the jump for more.