Biff Poggi didn’t dance around the issue when Michigan’s offense came up: the system and the roster aren’t lining up.
The former Wolverines assistant, who spent years in Ann Arbor under Jim Harbaugh and returned last year before serving as interim head coach in two regular-season games and again in the bowl game against Texas, said the personnel was assembled for something different than what Michigan is running now. That includes Bryce Underwood, but also the offensive line, the running backs and the tight ends.
Poggi made the case on Jim Rome’s show, saying the Wolverines were built for a pro-style, gap-scheme attack with play action and deep throws.
"When we built the roster at Michigan, it was built for a pro-style gap scheme kind of offense, with a lot of play action and some deep shots and deep crosses," Poggi said. "I coached Bryce last year.
He played well, really well in the three games I was the head coach. I think part of what's happened, Jim, and he's getting tortured on social media, part of what's happened is the scheme doesn't fit the personnel.
Not only Bryce, but the offensive line, the tight end room, and the running backs. So, I think they feel like Tommy gives them a better chance.
Tommy's a good player; Bryce has a chance to be an unbelievable player in the right scheme with the right coaches.
"And I would just say this, and just trying to be as transparent as I can: it's one thing to come out of the bullpen at halftime, it's another thing to be a starter where everything's on you. So we're going to see how Tommy progresses through that."
That diagnosis matches what Michigan has shown on the field. The Wolverines have looked far more comfortable when the run game is going straight downhill, and Poggi pointed to that contrast after the offense had more success with a north-south approach in the second half against Penn State than with the east-west style that has shown up so often this season.
His comments also fit the conversation around Carr. Poggi made clear that there’s a difference between stepping in at halftime and carrying the offense from the start, even if Carr may be the better fit for what Kyle Whittingham and Jason Beck want to do. That part of the picture will get another test this week against Indiana.
In Other News...
Michigan Suddenly Has A Chance To Make Saturday Matter Again
Michigans quarterback switch to Tommy Carr gave the offense a much-needed spark in the second half of its recent game, and it comes at a moment when every possession feels a little heavier. The change helped steady a unit that had been searching for rhythm, and now the Wolverines get a chance to see whether that adjustment can carry over into a matchup that suddenly matters a lot more than it did a week ago.
Indiana is headed into Saturday with CBS Sports analyst Brad Crawford putting the Hoosiers on upset alert, which only adds to the stakes on both sidelines. For Michigan, a win would keep its College Football Playoff and Big Ten hopes in play, while Indiana has the same kind of pressure on its side of the ledger, making this one of those late-season games where the margin for error keeps shrinking. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Still Has One Big Lineup Concern Ahead Of Indiana
Michigans latest availability report for Indiana brought no real surprises, but it did reinforce the same issue that has shadowed this matchup all week: the offensive line remains a major concern. The Wolverines have several players listed across the report as out, questionable or probable, and that uncertainty leaves the front five as the biggest area to watch as kickoff approaches.
There was at least some encouraging news on the injury front, with coach Kyle Whittingham suggesting safety Rod Moores issue is minor and not likely to keep him out for long. Offensive tackle Andrew Babalola also appears close to returning, which would help a group still trying to get closer to full strength at just the right time. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Offense Faces Its Biggest Test Yet Against Indiana
Four Detroit News writers weighed in on the Michigan-Indiana matchup, and the conversation centered on the same uneasy theme for the Wolverines: whether the offense is ready for a real stress test. The uncertainty around Michigans starting quarterback only adds to the intrigue, especially with Indiana bringing a defense that has drawn plenty of respect for how well it can control a game and make an opponent work for every inch.
Indianas defensive profile is the part that has everyone looking twice at this one, with the writers all pointing to the matchup as a major challenge for Michigan on offense. They also flagged key players on both sides as worth watching, but the overall forecast was clear enough, with each writer picking Indiana to win and leaving Michigan with plenty to prove before anyone can feel comfortable about where the offense stands. [Read more 🡒]