Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Can Michigan Win The Natty?

Author Nathan Franklin
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - NOVEMBER 11: Michigan running back Blake Corum (2) celebrates by holding up three fingers after scoring a second half touchdown during the Michigan Wolverines versus Penn State Nittany Lions game on November 11, 2023 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Michigan Wolverines gutted out a rather impressive win against 9th ranked Penn State over the weekend. The Nittany Lions could not contain Michigan’s rushing attack and fell 24-15 to the Wolverines this past Saturday.

Michigan ran for 227 yards while passing for only 60. Interim Head Coach Sherrone Moore made a huge adjustment midway through the 1st half that play a key role in Michigan winning the game. Michigan was struggling to offer good pass protection early on in the game, so Sherrone Moore opted for an in-game adjustment.

In-Game Adjustments

Moore decided to run the ball. Not focusing on running the ball, but only running the ball. So much so that Michigan didn’t pass once in the entirety of the second half! This proved effective as the Michigan defense was playing lights out and didn’t let Penn State get anything going offensively.

Ultimately this led to the win. After the game, Moore gave a truly emotional dedication to head Coach Jim Harbaugh during an interview. You can see the video here!

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - NOVEMBER 11: Michigan acting head coach and offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore celebrates on the slide line during the Michigan Wolverines versus Penn State Nittany Lions game on November 11, 2023 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – NOVEMBER 11: Michigan acting head coach and offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore celebrates on the slide line during the Michigan Wolverines versus Penn State Nittany Lions game on November 11, 2023 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Michigan Wins Without Their Coach

The Head Coach for Michigan is currently serving a regular season suspension for his alleged involvement in a scandal regarding sign stealing. The punishment dealt out by Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti forbids Jim Harbaugh from coaching in either of the 2 remaining regular season games. Those games include Maryland this weekend and Ohio State the next.

This prompts a legitimate question amongst U of M fans. How will this impact our season? Sherrone Moore stepped up in Harbaugh’s absence and took care of business against Penn State. But how likely is it that the Wolverines can continue their success without Harbaugh against Ohio State? Assuming they can win, does Michigan have a legit chance at the National Title this year?

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - NOVEMBER 11: Michigan running back Blake Corum (2) celebrates as he leaves the filed after the Michigan Wolverines versus Penn State Nittany Lions game on November 11, 2023 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – NOVEMBER 11: Michigan running back Blake Corum (2) celebrates as he leaves the filed after the Michigan Wolverines versus Penn State Nittany Lions game on November 11, 2023 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

While Michigan will supposedly get their head coach back after the conclusion of the regular season, that still leaves question marks. Is this Michigan team better than Ohio State. Is U of M truly a good enough team to knockout OSU without their head coach? The answer is yes. Michigan’s defense is elite, and their offense is great.

While Penn State managed to disrupt the Wolverines passing game Saturday, Ohio State does not compare. The Nittany Lions are the second-best defensive team in College Football. With the second most sacks in the nation. Ohio State doesn’t even rank in the top 50 in sacks.

If Ohio State cannot get consistent pressure on JJ McCarthy, it’s game over. Michigan should prove too tough yet again for the Buckeyes in 2023. But beyond the regular season, how does Michigan stack up? Where will they finish?

Can Michigan Win The National Championship?

With the assumption that no further punishments are rolled out by the NCAA, Michigan has an extremely high chance to make it to the playoffs this year and possibly win a National Championship. As long as Michigan defeats Ohio State, there should be no discussion. However, Michigan has yet to get over the hurdle that is Georgia and finally reach the mountain top that is a National Championship.

Personally, Georgia is the only team worth fearing for Michigan. While they are not the same Bulldog team from the previous 2 seasons, they are formidable. Georgia stacks up incredibly well against Michigan and they are the one true threat to a National Title. Michigan has to continue to breakthrough in their run game, and trust in the playmaking abilities of JJ McCarthy. If they do that, they can win their first National Title since 1997.

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 21: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines congratulates J.J. McCarthy #9 after one of his second half touchdown passes while playing the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2023 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 21: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines congratulates J.J. McCarthy #9 after one of his second half touchdown passes while playing the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2023 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Heisman Trophy: 7 Potential Candidates This Season

We are now six weeks into the 2023 college football season. As the schedule gets tougher and the season grind gets harder, a few teams and players have begun to shine the brightest. With some of the big names taking center stage, it’s worth thinking about who are the 2023 Heisman trophy candidates to this point?

Every week there is one particular game that is the main event. Yes, there’s the campus that ESPN College GameDay chooses to go to. Then, there’s the ABC primetime game. However, while the television sets are fixated on these premier national programs, there are some players who are quietly cooking.

In December, four players will make it to New York City as the selected finalists for the Heisman Trophy. Earlier this week, Fox Sports released their Heisman watch. Here, they list the top 10 players who are realistically in contention after five games.

“USC QB Caleb Williams continued his incredible start to the season, as the defending Heisman Trophy winner looks to become just the second player to win the award twice,” Fox Sports states.

Last Year’s Heisman Winner

The aforementioned USC Trojans quarterback, Caleb Williams remains the frontrunner, because in order to be the best you have to beat the best. Going into the season, it was fair to pencil in Williams as a top candidate to take home this year’s trophy (and to be the #1 draft pick).

Like the NFL MVP award, traditionally, the Heisman Trophy is often awarded to a quarterback. In fact, only three non-quarterbacks have won the award since 2000 (Mark Ingram, Derrick Henry,  DeVonta Smith).

This year, it appears that will likely continue. With a few big rivalry games this weekend in addition to a handful of heavy-weight conference matchups, let’s take a look at seven 2023 Heisman Trophy hopefuls who are candidates who are making strong cases for themselves to take home the trophy.

  • Michael Penix Jr. - Washington

    The left-handed quarterback from Tampa, Florida has come out swinging. Through the season’s first five games, Penix Jr. has led the Huskies to a 5-0 start. Currently, #9 has 16 touchdowns, and has passed for 1,999 yards. His QBR is an astounding 91.6. With a bye this week, all eyes are on October 14 when #7 Washington takes on #8 Oregon. The challenge only increases after that, with matchups against highly ranked (and conference rivals) USC, Utah, and Washington State still to come.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Mike Penix Jr 🗣 (@themp9)

  • Bo Nix - Oregon

    Speaking of Oregon, #10 on the #8 ranked team in the country is lighting things up on the field. Nix has thrown 15 touchdowns to just one interception, cruising Oregon to a 5-0 start. He had one of his best games when everyone was watching, against Colorado. Under head coach Dan Lanning’s leadership, Nix has certainly taken advantage of quarterbacking his second major program (he was with Auburn from 2019-2021). His relentless approach is an intangible that the Ducks rally around. Furthermore, though Oregon is always a credible program, I’m not sure anyone expected this hot of a start from the Ducks or Nix.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Bo Nix (@bonix10)

  • Caleb Williams - USC

    Last year’s winner will not let go of the Heisman easily. Williams, a D.C. native, had one of the more inspiring acceptance speeches you will ever hear at the 2022 ceremony. Currently, Williams has an amazing 21 touchdowns and just one interception through five games. #9 USC also took their show on the road to square off against Shedeur and Deion Sanders in Colorado. Like Nix, Williams stole the spotlight, reminding those who forgot, who won the acclaimed prize last year. Note, to this point each selection is not only a quarterback, but also leading an undefeated Pac-12 team.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by CALEB WILLIAMS (@ayeeecaleb)

  • Drake Maye - UNC

    OK, now we will change conferences, but will remain with a quarterback. Maye and Nix ended the 2022 season against each other in a Holiday Bowl thriller, where Oregon won 28-27. Nix had 205 yards passing, but Maye had 206. Though #14 North Carolina is also undefeated (4-0) to this point, Maye has the lowest numbers of this bunch. So, why is he listed here? Well, he is the player I expect to have the biggest second-half numbers. Maye and UNC don’t have to face the amount of top-ranked teams the Pac-12 schools do. That’s the downside of that conference being so strong this year. UNC only has two ranked opponents on their schedule for the remainder of the regular season. Miami on October 14, and Duke on November 11. Both games are at home.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Drake Maye (@drake.maye)

  • The Wildcards

    Here is where I throw a hail mary, so to speak. Odds are, these next three players don’t have much of a chance, but where there’s a will there’s a way. I’ll start by staying at quarterback one more time. Jordan Travis who is a Florida native (West Palm Beach) has led #5 Florida State to an impressive 4-0. He has thrown for over 1,000 yards, has ten touchdowns, and can run. How about one of the best overall players in college football? That would be #1 Georgia’s tight end, Brock Bowers. He’s expected the be a top ranked draft pick and has already caught 30 passes for three touchdowns for the defending back-to-back champion Bulldogs. Lastly, can defense get some love? Probably not, but there’s no harm in an honorable mention. Another Florida native makes an appearance here with Alabama’s Dallas Turner. Hailing from Fort Lauderdale, this edge defender already has 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Dallas Turner (@nolimitdall)

What do you think? Do you think Michigan will win the Natty? Let us know in the comments!

Sign Up For The WRIF Everything That Rocks Newsletter

Get everything that rocks sent right to your inbox. We're talking rock news, concert updates, stories from all around metro Detroit, plus exclusive contests, games and more.

*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Nathan Franklin
Category:

More Uncategorized

Load More