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Michigan Wolverines key position room clear weak link of team and they are limiting the ceiling of the offense

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By AJ Schulte | Last updated Sep 21, 2025 10:54 AM ET

The Michigan Wolverines have gotten off to a solid 3-1 start to the season, culminating in a strong 30-27 victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers on the road. True freshman Bryce Underwood has continued to deliver several good performances, and the Wolverines seem to have found their new-look offensive identity.

However, through four games, it's been abundantly clear that there is one position room that has limited the offense in a major way. I've written about the offensive line before, but it's now evident that Michigan's biggest problem is in another room. It's their wide receiver corps.

I wrote over the offseason that I felt uneasy about what the Wolverines did at wide receiver in the offseason, and that they didn't do nearly enough to solve their major talent issues here from last season. Turns out, I was right (at least so far). The biggest problem is: I don't know how the Wolverines really solve it this season.

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Michigan's Wide Receivers Are Killing the Passing Game

Michigan just does not have the playmakers on the perimeter to sustain them in the passing game. I felt that offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey adjusted to a more run-heavy approach to take advantage of Michigan's deep running back room and Underwood's legs, but it feels more and more like they simply can't trust their receivers on a consistent basis.

Against Nebraska, the team had quite a few drops from both Channing Goodwin and Semaj Morgan. Their tally on the season is now at 11. Louisiana, the worst passing offense in the country, has 10. Kent State has five. The Wolverines simply cannot hang onto the ball in the passing game, and it's killing some quality throws from Underwood.

To make matters worse, they are barely doing anything when they do catch the ball. Michigan has forced just 12 missed tackles after the catch (with seven of those coming against New Mexico). Four individual players already have at least 10 missed tackles forced by themselves. They can get away with that against lesser competition, but with games against USC, Washington, Maryland, and Ohio State on the docket, that simply can't cut it.

So far, this trend hasn't stopped Michigan from winning (Oklahoma was a lot more than just wide receiver play). Yet, what will happen if Michigan has to play from behind against better competition or is forced into passing situations routinely? Can this unit step up and make the plays they need to win? It doesn't look like it so far, and the Wolverines have to get it sorted out soon.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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