Big Ten Media Days are in full effect with four new conference members on display in Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington. Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore will also be making his debut as the first-year head coach, replacing the Los Angeles Chargers-bound Jim Harbaugh.
Moore will accompany tight end Max Bredson, running back Donovan Edwards and safety Makari Page. What are the three biggest questions that Moore and company will face in their first year in the Big Ten?
3 Most Significant Questions for Sherrone Moore at Big Ten Media Days
1) How do you follow in the massive footsteps of Jim Harbaugh?
It’s unlikely anyone actually asks this question, and if it does happen, Moore is sure to answer with some form of coach speak to the effect of taking things one day at a time. However, it’s still an important question facing the Wolverines.
Moore did an admirable job steering the ship in Harbaugh’s absence and earned himself the job because of his performance. But Harbaugh is actually GONE-gone now, not just “away” from the team on game days.
The day-in, day-out job of managing 85 scholarship athletes plus walk-ons is a massive undertaking. Moore will have to learn on the fly and the brief experience he had in 2023 will give him an edge on game days as he’ll have an understanding of what to expect and what is required.
Game days only account for a small percentage of what happens every week. Moore will have to adapt to the changes that come with being in charge and the expectations of fans and alumni who will undoubtedly be hungry for more time at the top of the college football world. It’s another aspect of the job that lands at Moore’s feet now, managing both players and the outside expectations that come with a national championship banner.
2) What Will Michigan’s offense look like?
Stylistically, there shouldn’t be too much deviation from the offense under Harbaugh. Moore’s background as an offensive line coach will likely mean a continuation of the powerful run game Michigan established over the past few years.
New offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell was promoted to offensive coordinator along with Grant Newsome as offensive line coach. The continuity should allow Michigan to continue the heavy ball control offense that’s allowed them to rise in the college ranks.
The bigger question will be replacing all the departed talent. JJ McCarthy and Blake Corum are gone, having moved on to the NFL. Corum accounted for almost half of the ground game. It will be up to Donovan Edwards in the backfield and an entirely new group of starters up front to step in and keep the ball moving down the field.
While replacing McCarthy from a volume standpoint might not seem as significant, his steadiness and leadership was a key influence in 2023. There’s also the question of adjusting to the strengths of whoever takes snaps under center. Say Alex Orji, the physically gifted Junior takes over, does the offense spread things out and utilize the QB run game more? JJ McCarthy was no stranger to making plays with his legs when necessary, will that help dictate the choice?
And speaking of McCarthy…
3) Who Starts At Quarterback?
Sometimes the most obvious question is the one that we tend to ignore in these situations, but in Michigan’s case it might be the most important question going into the start of the season. While the offense was never completely reliant on the quarterback, McCarthy had a knack for making big plays when they needed them most and was masterful in possessing the football, throwing four interceptions all year in 2023.
The Wolverines will have an open competition in the fall, and with Jack Tuttle receiving a seventh year of eligibility he will be the elder statesman in the room. Senior Davis Warren is the next oldest and will be part of the initial competition.
Alex Orji is far and away the best athlete in the room and will see time on the field regardless of whether or not he wins the position battle. Jayden Denegal will also be in competition for the spot but it does seem like Orji might have the edge.
Michigan will need to make a decision quickly, and whoever does win the job will have a steep learning curve as they’ll have to face Mason Graham on the other side of the football every day in practice.
2024 Big Ten Media Days Schedule: Sherrone Moore, Michigan Head Coach
- Date: Thursday, July 25
- Time: 12:45 p.m. ET
- How to watch: Big Ten Network and FOX Sports App
Michigan has to replace an absurd 15 starters from last season’s championship squad and is doing so in Sherrone Moore’s first year as a head coach. That said, they still return enough talent and momentum to land third on the College Football Network’s 2024 Big Ten Power Rankings.
The Wolverines have the fourth-most difficult schedule in the Big Ten, but familiarity will undoubtedly play in their favor, as will getting USC and Oregon at home. Road trips to Seattle and the Horseshoe in Columbus, along with a non-conference matchup against Texas, will be two of the biggest obstacles to the Wolverines’ title hopes in Ann Arbor.
Michigan has to figure out who will run the offense from the quarterback position and, maybe more importantly, replace the five starters on the offensive line for a program that treasures the run game like a toddler does a stuffed toy. Donovan Edwards will help move the sticks if they can settle the offensive line, and tight end Max Bredson will be the best friend to whoever starts at quarterback.
There are plenty of questions on Michigan’s offensive side of the football. The good news is that the stellar Mason Graham returns in the face of a defense that should give the Wolverines a fighting chance to retain their title as Big Ten champions.
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