Tag: Sherrone Moore

Brimming with newfound confidence, Michigan looking forward to facing Ohio State with some momentum

Shock the world next week! #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan football will certainly be a heavy underdog in the final regular season game in 2024, when it travels to Columbus to face an Ohio State team that’s firing on all cylinders.

But, the Wolverines certainly won’t be limping into The Game.

The maize and blue hadn’t had a blowout win all season long, but then a not-so-good, but not-terrible Northwestern team came to Ann Arbor. And Michigan handed the Wildcats their biggest beatdown of the season, while also far surpassing any previous output the Wolverines had this year.

As Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore says, yes, The Game will feature a maize and blue team that will be brimming with confidence — something that almost couldn’t have been imagined at any other point this season.

“Yeah, great momentum. Great momentum,” Moore said. “But we all know what that game means. It’s a reset. It doesn’t really matter what your record is. It doesn’t really matter what you’ve done before. That game’s different. So we’ve got to go prepare.”

Often, the week before the Ohio State game is seen as a trap game, and given how tough Northwestern has played some teams (it even kept things close for a half against the Buckeyes last week), and how Michigan has played all year, you would be forgiven if you thought the 50-6 drubbing could have gone a different way.

However, Moore never thought that his team would overlook the Wildcats.

“Yeah, because it’s the next game,” Moore said. “It’s another opportunity. Senior Day is the last game at The Big House. There’s so many reasons: bowl eligibility. There’s so many reasons that it was easy for our guys to just keep attacking it.

“Like I said before, another opportunity to put on that helmet and jersey. Can we ever think that any game is a trap game or overlook anybody, especially when you’re at Michigan?”

Despite Michigan going into The Game with a 6-5 record, compared to the Buckeyes sitting at 10-1, you won’t find the Wolverines cowering or submitting to an early defeat.

Of course, both teams now have some momentum, and OSU will rightly be favored. But this game is of utmost importance to the Wolverines, and they’re prepared to give the Buckeyes everything they’ve got.

“It’s everything. Our building, it’s all over the place. We think about it 365, so it’s the most important thing to us,” Moore said. He later added on if the team is gaining momentum: “Yeah, I think there is. But our No. 1 goal now, obviously there’s stuff we’ve got to do off the field, but our No. 1 now is to go prepare to go win that game next week.”

Michigan football freshmen who have stepped up late in the year

Can’t wait to see what these guys can do! #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Some years, there are freshmen who make their presence known early in their tenure, and in other years, either they’re late bloomers, or there are so many upperclassmen at vital positions that the freshmen don’t really stand out.

In 2024, we’ve seen some Michigan football freshmen burn their redshirts already (cornerback Jo’Ziah Edmond, linebacker Cole Sullivan, tight end Hogan Hansen, and safety Mason Curtis), there are a few who could find themselves either right at four games or right on the brink of breaking their redshirts.

On Monday, head coach Sherrone Moore shared what he’s seen from the freshmen on defense as they’ve come through the second bye week of the season.

“Guys like Dom Nichols — start up front with him, because he’s just showing flashes here and there,” Moore said. “Here and there, and he’s played, would be great for him. Mason Curtis, who’s just been a tackling machine out there, he’s going to be a star. Jo’Ziah Edmond is another guy on defense that, I think — and Cole Sullivan. Those guys on defense.”

Curtis and Edmond have been working their way in on defense lately, whereas we’ve seen more of an early dose of Nichols, who hasn’t seen action since Week 8. Sullivan has been more so utilized on special teams.

On the other side of the ball, there has been increasing hype surrounding offensive lineman Andrew Sprague, who, now with nearly a full season under his belt in terms of practice, could potentially see action in the final two regular-season games. But the Wolverines could also use an insurgence of production from the skill positions, and many of the freshmen at wide receiver and running back have impressed Moore as of late.

“And then offensively, I’ve talked about Andrew Sprague, watching him blossom and see what he’s done,” Moore said. “But really, guys that hit me, Channing Goodwin is another guy. And the backs, Jordan Marshall and Micah Ka’apana, we’ll start to see a little bit more of those guys. You saw more Jordan last game as a kick returner, but Micah Ka’apana, he has some dynamic speed, and put that on display a little bit this week.”

The Wolverines host Northwestern on Saturday before going to Ohio State the following week. It will be interesting to see if any of the aforementioned get into the action for either — especially a player like Nichols, who could burn his redshirt with an appearance in either of those games.

What Sherrone Moore said about Michigan football after bye week, before Northwestern

Really good, introspective stuff here. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan football just had its second bye week following the 20-15 loss to Indiana, and its most winnable game is up next, with unranked Northwestern coming to town.

On Monday, head coach Sherrone Moore resumed his usual weekly press conference after taking last week away from the podium. With the Wildcats coming to town and much to work on with Ohio State up next week, there was a lot to discuss.

He also touched on a bit of name, image, and likeness, as well as overall recruiting strategy, up-and-coming players, and how the team has held together in a 5-5 season.

Here is everything he had to say:

Sherrone Moore press conference

How beneficial is it to have a second bye week? And what kind of things did you work on?

It was buy-in week. We really took it upon us to make sure that we’re all bought into the next two games, to do everything we can to get better, and really working on the fundamentals, the little things — make sure we’re all in. And every piece, every no stone unturned, every T crossed, every I dotted, to make sure that we’re in a great place. And had some of our best-spirited practices. Came back, gave them a couple days off, and they came out yesterday with fire, with energy. So it was really good to see the kids in a positive mindset.

On that note, did you feel the need to type that conversation with them, or what was said?

I mean, just in general, I think at this time of the year, especially with where we’re at record-wise, felt like we wanted to have that. And it was, really, wasn’t my decision. It was the captains thathad that. So Max Bredeson actually came up with that. So credit to Max. And we all took it upon ourselves, and it really turned out well.

Can you speak on the importance, from your perspective, of making a bowl game, and specifically, then what you can get out of that?

Yeah, I think it’s huge. It’s huge for the program, obviously, playing another game, getting another chance to play with your team, but building on the future. Building, getting more practices. It’s like another spring ball for the young guys. It’s more football for the guys that need to keep getting better at football. So it’s huge for us, and huge for the program.

How does more support from donors in the university on the NIL front shape your current recruiting strategy?

It’s part of football now, right? NIL is part of recruiting, and so it’s been a huge piece of it. We’re just continuing to strive to get the best players that fit us and the best players we can, and we’re getting the support that we need.

Is transformational over transactional still a pitch?

I mean, I think it has to. I think that’s just a part of it, because that’s just a part of college football and recruiting now. And so you still have to have the attitude that you want to come to Michigan to be transformed into something bigger than just yourself. And for us, it’s the support that you get from the boosters. Isn’t just always financial, it’s putting guys in position, whether it’s internships or different things, to make sure you can have a goal that you want to do, and football is not here forever. What can we do to help you to accomplish that goal? So that supports a big piece of it, too.

Can you talk about some of the freshmen or younger guys who really have come along throughout the year?

Yeah, I mean, I’ll start on defense. Guys like Dom Nichols — start up front with him, because he’s just showing flashes here and there. Here and there, and he’s played, would be great for him. Mason Curtis, who’s just been a tackling machine out there, he’s going to be a star. Jo’Ziah Edmond is another guy on defense that, I think — and Cole Sullivan. Those guys on defense.

And then offensively, I’ve talked about Andrew Sprague, watching him blossom and see what he’s done. But really, guys that hit me, Channing Goodwin is another guy. And the backs, Jordan Marshall and Micah Ka’apana, we’ll start to see a little bit more of those guys. You saw more Jordan last game as a kick returner, but Micah Ka’apana, he has some dynamic speed, and put that on display a little bit this week.

Senior day this week. Maybe not the fourth year that they envisioned, but could you speak on them?

They mean so much to the program. The record in the last four years — obviously, this year not where we want to be, but 50-8, to have that record is really big. And guys like that, guys like Breddy, guys like Makari, Donovan, they’ve made such an impact on the team. And those are just some of the captains. Josiaah Stewart was a transfer that came in. But even guys like Myles Hinton, Josh Priebe, go down the list, there’s plenty of guys. Davis Warren, those guys are all guys that have really impacted our program in a huge way, in a positive way, and so thankful for them, and want to go out on a high note, especially their last game in The Big House.

Besides trying to win, what are you looking for most out of the team this week?

That passion, that fire that we saw in the second half of Indiana, especially from the defensive guys. They played an incredible second half. And offensively, thought we could have played better, and attacking and fixing those things. But I just want to see them have fun. This game is about having fun, and there’s so many negative things that people try to bring you down in this world. And, at the end of the day, these are kids, and I love these kids, win or lose draw. Like they’re our kids, they’re my kids, they’re Michigan’s players, they’re our team. And I want to see them go out and have that competitive fire and have fun. Yeah, go execute at a high level and go win 100% but I want to go see him have fun this weekend.

And any update on Will Johnson’s status?

He’s still working through it, so we’ll see what happens as we go through this week.

We saw Ben Hall play against Indiana. Are you going to try to play him more down the stretch here?

Yeah, we’ll see. I think he gave us some good carries. We’ll continue to keep working Kalel in there and Dono, but I think he’ll have some touches in there as well.

A lot of people are anticipating some kind of changes in offseason, but how much do you feel like you’ve set the foundation for this program?

Yeah, records not where we want to be, but we’ll continue to work and get better. I think we’re going to be in a really good place, and I’ve had some great meetings with some of our players, and they continue to stick together. And that’s really all I ask in situations. Because with struggle comes progress, and we’re going to have progress and we’re going to get better. So just excited for our players to continue their positive mindset and stick what they’re doing.

When we talked to Kalel on Tuesday, he seemed it sounded like there hadn’t been a lot of dialogue about why he only got one carry in the first half. So it sounded like he was not banged up. That was just the game plan?

Yeah, I’d say this, we keep all our conversations internal, and he’s a team guy, and we’re going to continue to stay together as a team.

What’s your thoughts on NIL, when it comes to going after like one or two guys, like big-time guys, rather than spreading it out?

Yeah, we want to spread it out. So I don’t know what the internet says or what that stuff is. I don’t read it anymore, so — half of it’s fake news anyway. So we want everybody to get everybody wants to eat. We want everybody to eat when it comes to that, and they’ll all earn their keep. They all get what they deserve. And we got a great system in place, and that’s where — I leave it at.

Your predecessor was concerned about the chemistry of the high school players were coming in with NIL deals. You’re evolving. I know you have to. How do you sell that to everyone?

I mean, it’s part of football now, it’s part of college football. It’s part of recruiting, and I’ve had great talks with them, so we’re all on the same page.

You mentioned, the records. Not where you want it to be this year. Obviously, there’s been some ups and downs. Who have you leaned on, some specific people for advice to navigate this type of season?

First one’s been Coach Harbaugh. Just continue to strive to get better. He’s been through good seasons. He’s been through bad seasons. So he’s seen it all. John, his brother, talked to him a good bit. Gotten to text with Mike Tomlin a little bit. And then, Coach Stoops is a guy that I’ve been very close with my whole career — obviously, played for him.

So those are guys that I talked to a lot and continue to talk to and lean on, because everybody needs that.

How often do you do you talk with Jim?

Every week. Every week, maybe sometimes twice, three times a week, depending on — it could be a text message here or there, but we at least get on the phone once a week.

How hard is it to sell the team to recruits when the record is not the way you want it to be?

I mean, I just like to say,  even in light of the negative questions that are always coming out that way, we just stay positive, and we stay positive together. We’re going to continue to stay positive. We’re going to continue to be a team, and that’s what we’re going to do. They come in here, they feel the energy, they understand the energy. They understand who I am. They understand how real I am with them. They understand the love that our players have for each other. And that’s a big sell to the kids.

On Brad Galli’s interview, you mentioned 50% of your day is NIL. What does that mean? Exactly, what goes into that?

Well, really, just talking about the roster management more so than the NIL, of what we’re doing, how we’re doing it, who we’re recruiting. So, more so recruiting than anything else. And it’s texting kids. It’s talking to parents, that’s talking to the brother, the sister, the kid, the teacher, the high school coach, and continue to build those relationships. So the guys that, when they get here, I know everything about them, and they know everything about me. And then, when I try to push them to that level that we’re successful, and they know I’m doing it out of love and care and in their best interest.

So really, that’s really what most of my days are, are filled with.

How early in the process does money come up with players?

It’s a conversation. And it’s not really like how much can you give? For me, it’s just part of the conversation now. It’s college football, so we really rely on that not being the conversation. With me, I really talk about the football aspect, what we can do, what the university can do, what our alumni can do, the education you’re going to get. Because football is going to end, and you got to have a greater education with you. So I think most our recruits here are, , they really value that.

Your thoughts of what you’ve seen out of Northwestern?

I’ve seen a tough, hard-nosed group on defense, physical, run to the ball. They had a great, great start to the game against Ohio, and were close in there. Then had a fumbled snap on third down, snap over the head, and put themselves in a bad place. But a good football team that we got definitely prepared to go win.

Wwith the bye week, have you reflected at all on how your approach before this season might have to change before future seasons?

I think you always have to adapt. I don’t think you can always say the same, regardless. Even when we won games, I would always look to figure out what we can do better, what we can change. So yeah, and definitely, you look to things to make sure we get better as a team, and how we prepare and how we go about our business. And not the way the kids work to the way to practice. None of that, just things that I have to do, and that I will do to make sure we’re a better football team.

Have you found it difficult, because it’s been difficult for the players to adjust their expectations this season?

Yeah. I mean, I think when you have kids that have won it — I just had a great conversation with like, four or five of them that have won so many games. It was cool to hear them, like, it’s a learning experience. It’s things you learn from that you have to grow from, and it only makes you better. And we’re going to take these as lessons and make sure that we don’t have these feelings ever again. So our jobs now are just to get better, and that’s we’re going to try to do.

Is there any specific piece of advice Jim is giving you this year that has really resonated with you?

It’s usually the same — just stay the course, be true to yourself. Be true to who you are. Don’t change who you are, because people will know that. The players will know. They know it’s different, but make sure you keep pushing everybody in the same direction. And that usually works out. That works out the best.

Now that you had the majority of one season, is there something that you are the most proud of that’s been accomplished this first year?

I’d say the thing I’m proud of is the way our players will continue to fight in every game that you see. There’s opportunities for them to lay down. They never do. They continue to fight, they continue to scrap. Got chances to win every game, but we got to go win it. So we all know, we got to go finish these games and go win. But watching our kids really go after it every single game and attack the moment have been great.

How would you evaluate where the offensive line is?

Yeah, not where we want to be. I think you always want to strive to be better, but obviously you want to be able to run the ball better. We’ve taken a lot of pride in that, and the fundamental piece has to be better, and to got to do soul searching within myself to see what I need to do to help to make them better, whether that’s things in practice or whether in the game plan or whatever it is. But we just got to be better, not where we have been, obviously, but definitely, can see us striving to get better, and we will. Yeah, I mean, usually it’s the story of the one guy, one thing here, but you can’t live in that world. You got to execute five as one. And when you do that, that’s when you win.

Why ESPN is concerned about Michigan football head coach Sherrone Moore

Their concerns are quite valid. #GoBlue

Expectations for Michigan football coming off the national championship in 2023 were through the roof, but perhaps they shouldn’t have been.

Of course, the Wolverines lost coach Jim Harbaugh, as well as a bunch of personnel. But with longtime assistant Sherrone Moore taking the helm of the program, it was thought he would be a stabilizing force who could still potentially will the maize and blue into the 12-team College Football Playoff.

However, the season hasn’t exactly gone that way. The Wolverines have limped to a 5-5 record through 10 games. The defense has taken a step back — in some games, it’s by a little, in others by a lot — while the offense barely looks above high school capability. Thus, when asked about which first-year coaches they’re concerned about, ESPN’s Heather Dinich and Adam Rittenberg came up with the same name. (subscription required)

Dinich: Michigan’s Sherrone Moore is at the top of the list of coaches who have struggled. The Wolverines have slid from their national championship season to a middling 5-5 team that doesn’t have a dependable quarterback. Moore should get a bit of a mulligan because of the situation he inherited when Jim Harbaugh left for the NFL, but it’s still mind-blowing that a program such as Michigan — coming off its best season in decades — has tried three different quarterbacks and ranks No. 129 in the country in passing offense. The pressure is on Moore to dip into the portal or find the next Arch Manning.

(…)

Rittenberg: I’ve seen Michigan in person three times, and certainly share the concerns about Moore. The quarterback issue is one thing and, like you said, can be tied at least in part to the coaching transition and what sources have told me about Harbaugh’s hesitancy to add a notable transfer last December. Still, the idea of pinning your offense to Jack Tuttle, who was coming off surgery on his throwing elbow and was, as we found out, one concussion away from retiring from football, rather than adding a transfer in the spring portal, seemed shortsighted. The other issue that has surfaced is game management. Trailing Indiana 17-3 at halftime, Michigan ran the ball on third-and-7 from the Hoosiers’ 46-yard line on its first possession of the third quarter, gaining four yards before punting. Two possessions later, Michigan ran for a yard on third-and-6 from the Indiana 39, only to attempt a long field goal rather than go for a first down. Most egregiously, Michigan allowed more than 20 seconds to elapse before calling timeout after an 8-yard Indiana run in the closing seconds. The Hoosiers ran out the clock moments later. We didn’t see those game-management errors from Moore when he filled in for Harbaugh late last season. Definitely an area to clean up for 2025.

We’re in agreement with the ESPN duo both on the problems that Moore and the Wolverines face as well as that he can fix the issues. Some coaching and-or philosophy changes as well as hitting the transfer portal for an elite quarterback, receivers, and potentially patching the offensive line (yes, that’s most of the offense) could help revamp things quickly. While that seems like a lot, we’re seeing a renewed effort by Michigan football with name, image and likeness licensing, and we’ve also seen teams pull a 180 quickly now that the college football offseason landscape has changed so dramatically.

Sherrone Moore refutes MSU media narrative on Kalel Mullings in postgame skirmish

This is more in-line with Mullings’ character than what MSU fans are accusing him of. #GoBlue

Michigan State fans often like to talk about ‘the Blue Wall,’ a conspiracy theory they’ve concocted that furthers their own sense of victimhood. ‘The Blue Wall’ is their assertion that everyone is out to protect Michigan football at the expense of MSU.

So, after years of being painted as the bad guy following the assault in the Michigan Stadium tunnel following the 2022 game, the Spartans were all too happy to paint a typical postgame skirmish between two rivals as some kind of dastardly situation concocted by Michigan where the Wolverines were the worst actors.

The MSU media took the matter into its own hands and flat-out named Kalel Mullings as a bad actor who was ‘stomping’ on a Spartan player or staffer. However, upon reviewing the video, the Big Ten did not implicate Mullings or any other Wolverine. And Sherrone Moore told 97.1 The Ticket earlier this week that Michigan’s own internal review indicates Mullings was not only maliciously trying to hurt Spartan players or staffers, but he was actively trying to break up the scuffle.

“We’ve looked at the film, looked at everything, had our discussions internally,” Moore said. “We saw a lot of our guys being positive. I think there’s things out there about Kalel Mullings, he was one of the guys who was trying to be a superhero.

“He was trying to pull everybody apart. I think our guys were doing the right thing.”

It’s difficult to tell what really is the truth, even with cameras there capturing everything in 4K. Even so, against any other team and against any other media apparatus, this incident would be like any other in-game scuffle that you see across the college football season. But now, Mullings’ reputation has been tarnished, even without any substantial evidence that he was doing what MSU fans and media accused him of.

It may be the nature of this rivalry, but it needs to stop.

Michigan coach Sherrone Moore calls players’ actions in skirmish with MSU ‘unacceptable’

Sherrone Moore called his players’ actions in the post game skirmish against MSU ‘unacceptable’

There was another ugly chapter written in the Michigan State vs. Michigan rivalry this weekend when a Michigan player was seen stomping what has now been confirmed to be a Michigan State player and staffer in what was a chaotic post game skirmish following MSU’s loss to the Wolverines.

While MSU athletic director Alan Haller said he has already contacted the Big Ten about the incident, Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore also took accountability for the actions of his team, which he called ‘unacceptable’. Moore also said that he will be addressing the situation internally and promises that it will ‘never happen again.’

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.

Michigan Wolverines name their starting QB for Week 10 game vs. No. 1 Oregon

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore has tabbed Davis Warren to start at quarterback against No. 1 Oregon on Saturday.

This story was updated to add new information.

It’s been a challenging first season for the Michigan Wolverines and their first-year head coach Sherrone Moore.

The Wolverines (5-3) have gone through three quarterbacks and are coming off a 24-17 win over Michigan State. Moore has decided on a signal-caller for their big game with No. 1 Oregon in Week 10.

“Davis (Warren) has earned the opportunity … won the spot and we will continue to roll how we did last game,” Moore said in his weekly Monday news conference.

Moore could have gone with Alex Orji, but Warren earned the nod after he was 13-of-19 passing for 123 yards and a touchdown in their last outing.

Jack Tuttle had played in the previous two games before being declared out for the game against Michigan State. The reason was not disclosed, but Tuttle provided it Monday night.

The seventh-year quarterback announced he was medically retiring from football as a result of a fifth concussion. He also revealed his arm had not returned to normal after surgery to repair an ulnar collateral ligament injury.

In his two games this year, he had a 60 completion percentage, 306 yards, two interceptions and one touchdown.

Orji is more of a runner than a passer as he is third on team in rushing with 188 yards on the grounds and a score. As a passer, Orji has a 54% completion rate with 148 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.

Warren is more of a pocket passer with a 67% completion rate (61 of 91), good for 567 yards, but he has three touchdowns to go with his six interceptions.

We will see how he can do against the Ducks’ secondary this week. So far this year, Oregon’s defense has been playing very well, with the No. 12 total defense in the nation. The Ducks have given up an average of 173.8 passing yards per game (16th in the nation).

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

How the postgame fight between Michigan and MSU started and Sherrone Moore’s reaction

Here is how the fight began, if you didn’t know. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — For the first time in a few years, there didn’t seem to be many shenanigans in the Michigan-MSU football game, and both teams seemed rather well-behaved.

Michigan State had one targeting penalty and that player was ejected, but there weren’t the usual multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, and the game was mostly clean.

That was similar to the last time the rivals played at Michigan Stadium. However, in the aftermath of that game came the altercation in the Lloyd Carr tunnel that became the talk of college football in the immediate aftermath.

This game stayed clean — until time was nearly expired. Michigan, having just produced a first down that enabled it to go into victory formation, took a knee on the next snap. Then all hell (briefly) broke loose. Tight end Colston Loveland was headbutted and the rival teams suddenly found themselves in a bit of a brawl.

It wasn’t long-lasting, and the teams were removed from the field. Michigan players waved bye to the MSU contingent heading toward the tunnel.

It turns out, Loveland was doing some jawing, and that led to defensive lineman Anthony Jones’ reaction.

“You know how it is, just the rivalry, just a lot of talking, shoving,” Loveland said. “Like I said, we respect them, just kind of heat of the moment type stuff. Super glad got the win — onto the next week.”

Head coach Sherrone Moore wasn’t happy any of it happened: the jawing or the reaction to the reaction. As he said in his postgame press conference, that’s not what Michigan stands for, and he’ll handle the issue internally.

“I told the team it’s unacceptable, regardless of what happened and how it started,” Moore said. “There’s guys chirping at us and us responding. And the guy headbutted Colston at the end, and our job is to represent these universities, not to respond to that, is to let the refs handle that. So something that we’ll handle internally and make sure we take care of. But that’s not Michigan football. That’s not who we are.”

Michigan has won three straight over rival MSU, and the Spartans will have a chip on their shoulders after the way this game ended, at the very least.

Sherrone Moore breaks down ‘huge game’ for Michigan football vs. rival MSU

Gotta win this one. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The past several years, the Michigan football vs. MSU rivalry has taken center stage, especially because one or the other program is in a good position to contend for something in the postseason. However, this year, both rivals enter Saturday’s Week 9 contest with 4-3 records, and this game is mostly for pride.

The Wolverines have won two straight after having lost two straight. Both teams have new head coaches but for Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore, this is his seventh iteration against the rival Spartans, as he came aboard in 2018 as the tight ends coach for the maize and blue and having worked his way up to head coach. In his time in Ann Arbor, Moore has seen Michigan go 4-2 against MSU.

“I think it’s huge. It’s a huge game,” Moore said on Monday. “We’re playing Michigan State, and it’s a rivalry. It’s an in-state rivalry, and everything’s on the line. We’ve got to keep Paul Bunyan here, and there’s a lot of pride in that trophy. There’s a lot of pride in this rivalry, and we’re going to do everything we can to win.”

When it comes to turnovers, MSU is in a similar boat to that of Michigan. The Wolverines are ranked No. 117 in turnover margin, and the Spartans aren’t that far ahead, ranked No. 111. Both teams have lost 15 turnovers through seven games, but MSU has managed to get one more takeaway in that span.

However, quarterback Aidan Chiles has been far superior in being able to push the ball downfield, despite his turnover issues. He’s averaging 209.7 yards per game, though he’s accounted for nine interceptions despite having thrown six touchdowns. As a QB who can extend drives with his legs, Moore says it’s of paramount importance to not lose sight of Chiles’ playmaking ability, even if he does have some turnover struggles.

“You’ve got to do a great job with your rush lanes, and that’s something we’re going to stress and talk about,” Moore said. “You’ve got to do that with that guy because once he gets outside the pocket, he can be dynamic. He can do some things to hurt you. So you’ve got to keep him in the pocket and be really disciplined with your lanes, whether it’s a four-man rush or a five-man rush, where you’re at in the pocket, keeping him compressed. Because if he gets out, he can make things happen with his feet, and he can make things happen with his arms.

“So we’ve got to do things there and mix up different looks for him. So it’s not easy, so he can just look at his read and throw to his read. So you’ve got to do a good job of keeping him in his pocket.”

Michigan and MSU will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday evening at The Big House with the game being broadcast on Big Ten Network.

Sherrone Moore points to offensive turnovers as primary culprit in Michigan’ struggles

This season could look a lot different if #Michigan didn’t turn the ball over an average of 2.14 times per game.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — For the first time since 2020, Michigan football has lost three games in a season. And for the first time since 2014, the Wolverines were unable to score more than seven points this past week in a 21-7 loss to Illinois.

With the schedule being daunting from here on in, with three ranked teams coming up in the last five games, and a Michigan State rivalry game forthcoming this week, head coach Sherrone Moore is looking for answers to keep the team focused, and not let the season spiral to the point where the Wolverines don’t even make a bowl game.

“Obviously not happy with the record. Not happy with the losses,” Moore said. “I really just want our kids to be in a good place mentally and spiritually. So that’s where we are. We’re 4-3, but our job now is to get better to be 5-3 this week.”

So, why has the season gone off the rails? After the loss at Illinois, Moore praised the defense, which did hold the Illini passing attack to the lowest output they’ve had since 2021. Though Moore says there’s no finger-pointing inside the building, really, the bulk of the struggles have come on the offensive side of the ball.

And there, it’s mostly turnovers.

Last season, Michigan was No. 1 in turnover margin, having only lost eight possessions all season. However, this year, Michigan is No. 117 out of 134 teams, having turned the ball over 15 times in seven games.

As Moore notes, a team cannot win turning the ball over an average of 2.14 times per game.

“Just execution on offense,” Moore said. “Turning the ball over, big thing. There’s enough good, but not enough good. So we can’t turn the football over. That’s really the end of the discussion. If you don’t turn the football over, you’re going to win the game. It puts you in a position to be in a good place. But we did that, so we have to take care of the football at all costs.”

Moore says it’s somewhat inexplicable that Michigan is turning the ball over the way it has been given what he’s seen during the week.

The axiom is that teams generally play as they practice but in practice, Moore hasn’t seen the same issues that he’s seen on Saturdays, where interceptions and fumbles have happened continuously. So now, he’s looking for answers as to how to stem the turnovers from happening on the offensive side of the ball.

“Yeah, I feel like we’re protecting it way better in practice, and it’s just not translated to the game,” Moore said. “So we have to figure out as coaches, as a team, how to translate all that stuff to a game. There’s things that you’re doing in practice that have to replicate like they have before in the game. And for us as coaches, whether that’s simplifying, doing things less, so we can be better at those things, especially on offense. And that’s what we’ll work toward doing that.”