The identity of Michigan football has long been two things: hard-nosed defense and elite offensive line play. Thus far through six games in 2024, the Wolverines have shown glimpses of both, but haven’t consistently done either well.
The offensive line did have full turnover from last year, which was a group that had previously won two of the last three Joe Moore Awards — given to the nation’s best blocking attack up front. As this line continues to get things figured out, the Joe Moore Award is honoring the Wolverines front five, as they have been named to the midseason honor roll.
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Though in recent years Michigan has won the award outright, the numbers didn’t always coincide with high PFF ratings. At this juncture, Michigan has the 46th-best run-blocking grade and the 111th-rated pass-blocking grade. Those numbers are significantly lower than how the Wolverines finished each of the past few years. In 2023, they had the 50th pass-blocking grade and ninth run-blocking grade. In 2022, it was 24th for the pass and 20th for the run. In 2021, it was 49th for the pass and 61st in the run. (Michigan won the award in 2021 and 2022).
But it does seem as if this group is still figuring things out. The team has allowed eight sacks (51st) and has the 38th-best rushing offense. It’s a far cry from the past three years, but certainly is still a work in progress.