Michigan football podcast: The Balas and Skene Show, post-Northwestern

Michigan pulled out a 24-22 win over Northwestern at Wrigley Field in Chicago on a last-second Dominic Zvada field goal. The Wolverines amassed 496 yards of offense, but five turnovers and some mental mistakes made it tougher than it had to be (again).

The Michigan offensive line paved the way for another 200-plus yard rushing game, but the pass protection remains questionable.

“You don’t want me to critique them too badly because it gets dirty,” head coach Sherrone Moore said. “As you know, that’s the group. But I’m very proud of them. I really am. I really am proud of them. I’ve said this on record how many times … I’ve never been a part of three redshirt freshmen starting. And for consecutive games, to have another 200-some-yard rushing game, I’ll have to check the record books … yeah, we’ve had a few.

“But for them, for what they’ve done, I’m very proud of the fight, the physicality that they continue to have. I’m proud of [Michigan line coach] Grant Newsome and that O-line staff and what they’ve done. It’s never perfect, but those guys have put up a great fight and put us in a great position to win games.”

As for not passing the “look test” in the last three weeks” – it is what it is.

“We’re 8-2. All our goals are in front of us,” the Michigan coach said. “We’re playing for a lot. You’re playing meaningful football in November, which is what you ask for as a football coach, as a college football player, just any player in general in this game.

“And when you’re in November and you’re playing for something that means a lot, especially with a young football team … you go out there with six freshmen on offense and a bevy of them on defense and special teams. Yeah, the mistakes are there that we’ve got to fix, but you’re also very blessed to be able to be in that position of being 8-2.”

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