Michigan football is trying to run it back — both literally and figuratively.
The Wolverines won the Joe Moore Award last year, given to the nation’s best offensive line. Dare say, the offensive line in Ann Arbor may just be even better this year.
While Michigan has allowed 12 sacks through 10 games compared to 14 through 14 a year ago, the run game appears to be more productive this season. And it’s doing it in a year where everyone knows it’s going to run that much more than in 2021.
After losing Andrew Stueber and Andrew Vastardis from last year, Michigan reeled in Olu Oluwatimi, a Rimington Trophy finalist from Virginia in 2021, as its new center, while using both Trente Jones and Karsen Barnhart at right tackle. In turn, the line has been stellar, and is in the running for its second-straight Joe Moore Award, as it was announced on Twitter.
The Foundation for Teamwork today revealed the nine semifinalists for the 2022 Joe Moore Award presented to college football's Most Outstanding Offensive Line Unit 🏈#IAmBecauseOfUs pic.twitter.com/aift2IOdzB
— Joe Moore Award (@JoeMooreAward) November 15, 2022
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Given how good the line has been, if the Wolverines could manage to win the next two games to finish out the regular season, there’s a good chance that the maize and blue could have the top-rated line for the second-straight year.
Not only that, but Michigan is in the running for the second-straight Broyles Award winner, as defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is a nominee for the award won by Josh Gattis a year ago.
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