Michigan football podcast: Balas and Skene on O-line shakeup, overall play vs. CMU, more

Michigan destroyed CMU, 63-3, Saturday in Ann Arbor, but now comes another big test. The offensive line made some strides with some adjustments, including some in scheme that had them doing different things than they had been.

Head coach Sherrone Moore had his hands on it the week before the Central win, interim coach Biff Poggi said after the win.

“Sherrone spent all individual this week with the offensive line,” Poggi said. “He was the best offensive line coach in the country for two years and won the back to back [Joe] Moore awards, and in my opinion the best coordinator, too. He got over there and started looking at things, and I think that will continue when he gets back. And I think that’s really important for our football team.”

Poggi said the offensive line played well against the Chips, even with a shakeup at guard. With Brady Norton out, Michigan redshirt freshman Jake Guarnera started at right guard, Nathan Efobi at left. Guarnera played well, Poggi insisted.

““He played awesome,” Poggi said. “He’s a strong, smart, physical kid and he played really well. The guards can play all the guard positions. We’ll have to wait and see how practice goes for who’s going to be starting, but Jake played very well. 

“I think the offensive line played well [overall], and It’s going to be obviously a much tougher test. I’m sure you guys got a chance to look at the film, but they’ve got a bunch of guys. But yes, we’re going to stick with that and figure out probably Thursday or so who’s going to be able to start there.”

As for the game plan Saturday at Nebraska — more of the same for Michigan freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood. He played well with both his arms and his legs, and there was no secret why they turned him loose.

“You start learning about your team,” he said. “It takes a while to learn about your team when you transition from spring ball to summer to camp. You really start learning the most when the games play.

.”I think what we’re learning is what I said over here. Coaches don’t win games … players win games, and you have to let your players play. So, we’re letting them play, all of them.”

Chris Balas and former Michigan All-Big Ten offensive lineman Doug Skene break it down in today’s podcast.