Michigan football is a mess: Three things we learned in Week 8

The Illinois defense gang tackles Michigan running back Donovan Edwards during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Champaign, Ill.

The Illinois defense gang tackles Michigan running back Donovan Edwards during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Champaign, Ill.AP

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The Michigan Wolverines are in disarray following their latest 21-7 loss to No. 22 Illinois in Week 8. After improving to 4-1 following a 31-12 loss to No. 1 Texas in Week 2, the Wolverines have now lost back-to-back games against Washington and Illinois on the road, dropping to 4-3 in 2024.

Here are three things we learned about Michigan this weekend.

Quarterback Issues

The lack of a competent quarterback under center is the biggest issue for Michigan right now. The Wolverines have cycled between Alex Orji, Davis Warren, and Jack Tuttle, but none of these signal-callers have consistently been competent enough to sustain drives and lead the offense into the end zone.

Tuttle earned the start in Week 8 on the road at Illinois and finished 20-32 for 208 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. RB Kalel Mullings scored the Wolverines’ lone touchdown in a 21-7 loss to the Fighting Illini.

Right now, it doesn’t matter which of these three Michigan quarterbacks takes snaps, since the lack of production and turnovers plague this offense.

Offensive Miscues

Michigan’s offense has been a turnover machine in 2024. The Wolverines have 15 turnovers, including nine interceptions while forcing eight turnovers, so they enter Week 9 with a -7 turnover margin.

Sign up on any of the top Michigan sportsbooks to bet on Michigan’s starting quarterback to throw an interception ahead of a Week 9 home game against in-state rival Michigan State.

Trending Down

Overall, Michigan’s team is trending down as the season progresses, going 2-2 in Big Ten conference play. The Wolverines’ signature win came in a 27-24 victory over USC at home back in late September.

The Wolverines allowed Minnesota to cover the point spread late in another 27-24 win over the Golden Gophers the following week. Then, a tough loss on the road against the Huskies was primarily a result of untimely turnovers.

Perhaps most discouraging, coming off of a bye week, the Wolverines only scored seven points against Illinois in Week 8. Michigan’s defense gave up 187 rushing yards and 4.9 YPC, which has been a consistent issue all season against opposing rushing attacks.

College football fans can place a wager on over 40.5 total points between Michigan State and Michigan right now while sports betting in Michigan.

Defensive Regression

Michigan’s defensive regression has been perplexing, especially since this unit was so strong under its former regime with head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Now, the Wolverines have surrendered a 60.9 percent completion rate on average in 2024, allowing four of its seven opponents to throw for two or more touchdowns. The lack of turnovers is noteworthy, as Michigan has only forced one turnover, via interception against Washington, during its two-game losing slump.

Bet on Michigan State’s team total over ahead of a Week 9 matchup at home against the Spartans.

Week 9 Matchup

Michigan State has had its fair share of growing pains in 2024 alongside Michigan, but they’ll have a great opportunity to make a statement win on the road in Ann Arbor. While the Wolverines have no offensive balance or identity, lacking a competent quarterback, Michigan State QB Aidan Chiles has shown some explosiveness, albeit with an abundance of turnovers.

The Spartans just ended a three-game losing skid at home against a good Iowa defense, beating the Hawkeyes 32-30 thanks to six field goals from Jonathan Kim, over 200 rushing yards, and 256 passing yards to go over 450 total yards of offense.

Week 9 Betting Odds for Michigan vs. Michigan State

Oddsmakers have set early lines at +6.5 for Michigan State on the road against Michigan in Week 9. The point total sits at 40.5 on FanDuel Sportsbook.

Getting +6.5 with Michigan State feels like good value, especially with the Spartans generating momentum and gaining confidence with their biggest win in 2024 over Iowa. Michigan’s defense is porous, cannot force turnovers, and we know how one-dimensional and dysfunctional the offense has looked during the last two games for the Wolverines.

Over 40.5 and Michigan State +6.5 are the two best bets to place ahead of this Week 9 in-state rivalry game between Michigan and Michigan State.


      

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