We are talking to Wolverines Wire editor Isaiah Hole about Michigan before the Wolverines face USC this Saturday in the showcase Big Ten football game of Week 4. We asked Isaiah about the significance and centrality of tight end Colston Loveland to the Michigan offense and UM’s chances of beating USC.
“It will be tough if he’s unable to go, given that he’s pretty much the recipient of most downfield shots that have been completed up until this point,” Hole told us. “However, the Wolverines do have multiple options – we’re just now starting to see them. Marlin Klein at tight end has often been mentioned as the fastest, most athletic player in the position group. Hogan Hansen, a true freshman, saw the field for the first time in Week 3 and his sole reception was a touchdown. But there are other receiving options that Michigan will look to utlilize. Tyler Morris is WR1, but he was out with injury this last week. He hasn’t had much production and his claim to fame is the touchdown catch-and-run against Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Surprisingly, Semaj Morgan hasn’t been more of a focal point as he’s a shifty player that’s thought to be more involved in lateral action, but also is a downfield threat, despite his diminutive size. Kendrick Bell and Fred Moore are now seeing their first action. But Donovan Edwards has long been touted as the player with the best hands on the team, yet, Michigan seems intent on using him mostly in the run game. But we’ve seen games (like at Maryland in 2021) where he can thrive – he had 170 yards receiving in that game. Michigan can win if it doesn’t throw much – it’s a team built more on running the football with occasional downfield shots. So, yes, it can win if Loveland doesn’t play, but it will just need some of those other players to step up to back up the safeties and linebackers so they don’t key in that much more up front.
Visit our friends at Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, Ducks Wire, UW Huskies Wire and UCLA Wire.