Nick Saban assesses impact of Sherrone Moore’s suspension on Michigan in Week 3

Sherrone Moore won’t be on the sidelines for Michigan in Week 3. He’s beginning the first of a two-game suspension stemming from the Wolverines’ sign-stealing scandal.

Interim coach Biff Poggi will take over in his place against Central Michigan on Saturday. Ahead of all the action, Nick Saban assessed how Moore’s absence will affect Michigan against the Chippewas and moving forward.

“I think the biggest impact, first of all, is that he was able to be at practice this week,” Saban stated, via College GameDay. “After a disappointing loss, the first thing you want to do is identify the issues, figure out how you’re going to fix them, and then go to practice every day with the players so you can teach, so they can learn and grow.

“Biff Poggi, his biggest impact will be making sure Chip Lindsey and Wink Martindale can stay focused on their respective roles as offensive and defensive coordinators, while he manages the game. The real challenge comes next week, when Sherrone Moore can’t be at practice. That’s going to be the toughest adjustment.

“When I had COVID and had to sit out, at least I could stay at home, watch practice on Zoom and talk to the team afterward — so, I still felt engaged. But if he can’t go to practice at all, he’s going to feel totally out of sync.”

Additionally, Kirk Herbstreit believes Poggi was the right choice for being Michigan’s interim, as it allows Moore’s coordinators to stay in their flow. The Wolverines may have some question marks at the moment, but the ESPN analyst thinks better days are ahead in Ann Arbor.

“The fact that Sherrone Moore didn’t have to hand off coordinator duties, especially on offense with Chip Lindsey, allows him to keep working directly with a young quarterback, even coming off the loss,” Herbstreit added.

“Just talking about Michigan and what they showed against Oklahoma, this is an offense that still has to get stronger, particularly up front. The offensive line needs to take a step forward, and on the perimeter, they just don’t have many difference-makers right now. Donaven McCulley, who transferred from Indiana, is a big, physical receiver, but overall, if defenses stack the box to stop the run, Michigan doesn’t have the weapons to make them pay.

“They don’t have that Desmond Howard-type playmaker who can flip a game. Until someone emerges, it puts more pressure on Bryce Underwood, more pressure on the running game, and especially more pressure on the offensive line. They’ve got to get that sorted out in the next couple of weeks.”

Time will tell if Michigan can stay afloat amid Moore’s suspension. Their first test comes in Week 3 against Central Michigan, and the Chippewas will want nothing more than to hand the Wolverines another defeat.