Wolverine Digest

Insane statistic proves that Michigan can win without passing

Jerred Johnson

Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Michigan Wolverine football program has long been known as a ground and pound type of team. They have placed a heavy emphasis on offensive line, winning back-to-back Joe Moore Awards along the way, and utilize their running backs heavier than almost any nonservice academy school in the country. This style of offense has not always been appealing to fans, or wide receiver and quarterback recruits, but it has proven effective for the maize and blue.

Controlling the line of scrimmage and time of possession have been a staple for the Wolverine teams over the past 4-5 years. In fact, many pundits have compared them to a python just slowly squeezing the life out of their overmatched opponents. But just how heavily do they rely on the run game? Well, Michigan has won nine straight games since 2015 when throwing for under 100 yards.

That is a staggering statistic for a high level Big Ten football program, a program that just last year placed a quarterback in the top ten of the NFL Draft in JJ McCarthy. McCarthy was a part of the memorable 2023 Penn State game when the Wolverines lined up and ran the ball 32 consecutive times and dominated the Nittany Lions. That performance will go down in Michigan football history as fans will never forget the look of frustration on PSU head coach James Franklin's face.

Bryce Underwood
Michigan signee Bryce Underwood smiles during national signing day at Belleville High School in Belleville on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

With the addition of new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey and heralded incoming freshman Bryce Underwood, the days of throwing for less than 100 yards through the air may be coming to an end. The Wolverines will never change from the ground and pound, 'three yards and a cloud of dust' program they have become known as, but they will surely be more balanced. Don't expect anything resembling a Texas Tech air raid style of offense, but Underwood will have plenty of opportunities to show off his arm talent and ball placement skills. Still, 9-0 in games throwing under 100 yards over the last nine years is something truly incredible.

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Jerred Johnson
JERRED JOHNSON

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