Michigan enters Saturday’s matchup with Oregon in a spot it would rather not be in, but the path is simple enough: win, and the Wolverines become bowl eligible. At 5-4, they still need one more victory to get there, and they’ll have to chase it against a Ducks team that arrives in Ann Arbor riding high after a blowout win over Ohio State in Columbus.
That’s a rough setup for Michigan, especially after last week’s 15-6 loss to Michigan State and the comments that came from both coaches during the week. The Wolverines are also dealing with injuries, and that uncertainty starts up front, where a reshuffled offensive line may have to hold together against one of the toughest tests left on the schedule.
Babalola is one of the biggest names to watch because Michigan may need him in a major role right away. He made his team debut last week in the second half against Michigan State, stepping in at left tackle after Blake Frazier went down.
That move pushed Evan Link to left guard, Nate Efobi to right guard and Marky Walbridge to right tackle. The results were ugly, which has been a familiar theme for Michigan’s offense this season.
Now Babalola could be in line to start again, with Frazier listed as doubtful at right tackle. If that happens, he’ll be responsible for protecting the blindside of both Tommy Carr and Bryce Underwood, who are both expected to play.
That’s a heavy assignment for any player, and especially for one who is still short on experience and has been battling injuries all season. It’s also worth noting that this would be his first start after his position coach moved into the offensive coordinator and play-calling role.
Michigan’s offense has to find something, because the numbers at home tell the story. The Wolverines have not scored more than six points in either of their last two home games.
If they’re going to pull this off, they need more than just survival up front. They need plays.
That puts the spotlight on Andrew Marsh, one of Michigan’s best playmakers. His production hasn’t always shown it this season, but that has more to do with the offense around him than with his own ability. Against Oregon, Michigan is going to need chunk plays through the air, and Marsh looks like the most likely player to provide them.
The tight end group could also be part of the answer, though the injury report complicates things. Jalen Hoffman and Hogan Hansen are both on it this week, so even if they suit up, they may not be at full strength.
Mason Bonner has started to work his way onto the field over the last two weeks, including an explosive catch against Rutgers. He didn’t make much of an impact against Michigan State, but neither did the rest of the offense.
With the season sliding toward disappointment, Michigan may lean more into younger players and development, while also trying anything that might spark the attack. A 6-foot-7 target who can make plays outside his frame fits that idea.
Defensively, Michigan needs more help from its pass rush beyond John Henry Daley. Daley was the standout last week against Michigan State, finishing with two sacks and a forced fumble.
Dom Nichols also returned from injury, though his impact was quiet. Another week removed from that injury could help him become more disruptive and give Jay Hill a chance to lean on more coverage looks against Dylan Raiola.
That matters because Oregon’s speed on offense is going to stretch Michigan’s secondary. Keeping more bodies back there would help the Wolverines limit the explosive plays that can wreck a game in a hurry.
Even with all the uncertainty around the roster, Jake Guarnera delivered the kind of message that fits the moment. He said he plans to keep fighting through pain after picking up an injury against Minnesota.
"Picked up an injury against Minnesota. I don't want to quit on this team,” Guarnera said to reporters on Tuesday.
“That's kind of been my thought like keep pushing through. And as long as I can go out there and play at a high level and not hurt this team performance-wise, I'm gonna be out there playing for this team.
I care about these guys too much and too much about Michigan to not go out there and give it my all throughout the year."
"I told the guys that I hate losing, but I hate quitters even more. That will not fly with me."
For a Michigan team trying to steady itself late in the year, that kind of attitude is exactly what it needs in the room. Guarnera plans to keep going, and the Wolverines will need that same edge if they want to avoid another rough night and keep their season alive.
In Other News...
Michigan Heads Into Oregon With Troubling Questions Up Front
Michigans front has become a concern at the worst possible time, with Dominic Nichols still working back from a lower-leg injury that has been aggravated along the way and Nate Marshall now suspended indefinitely. The Wolverines have leaned on that group for physicality and depth all season, so any disruption there matters even more as they try to steady themselves heading into a difficult stretch.
Lewis Powell has made it clear the issue is about more than availability, stressing accountability and team rules while leaving Marshalls return uncertain. For a team still chasing bowl eligibility in a season that has already brought plenty of challenges, the timing is hardly ideal, and the trip to Oregon only sharpens the pressure on a defensive line that needs answers fast. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Suddenly Has A Depth Problem At The Worst Time
Michigans injury picture did not get any cleaner coming out of the loss to Michigan State, even with one notable defensive back no longer listed on the report. The bigger concern remains up front, where starting tackles Andrew Sprague and Blake Frazier are still dealing with injuries, and Frazier is doubtful heading into the next game.
The Wolverines are also carrying a longer list of banged-up players in John Henry Daley, Dom Nichols, Jalen Hoffman, Hogan Hansen and Channing Goodwin, which leaves the roster thinner at several spots at a bad time. For a team trying to steady itself after a frustrating setback, the issue is not just who is available now, but how much more strain Michigan can put on its depth before it starts showing on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Suddenly Has More At Stake Against Michigan Than Expected
Michigan heads into its matchup with Oregon needing one more win to lock up bowl eligibility, which gives this late-season meeting a little more weight than it might have carried a few weeks ago. The Wolverines have spent much of the year trying to clean up turnover issues and find a steadier offensive rhythm, and the path to staying competitive against a talented Ducks team starts with the basics: run the ball efficiently and avoid giving possessions away.
Oregon brings plenty of its own challenges, even with some injuries in the mix, and Michigans defense will have to do more than simply hold serve if the game is going to tilt its way. For the Wolverines, the formula is clear enough, even if it is easier said than done, because forcing turnovers and creating short fields may be the best way to offset the offensive inconsistency that has lingered all season. [Read more 🡒]