Michigan gets the win over USC

Plugged In with Chris Howard

"Welcome back to another episode of The Player and The Fan! Today, we’re breaking down Michigan’s gritty win over USC—a game that proved the Wolverines can win tough matchups but also highlighted some glaring issues, particularly on offense. While Michigan's defense was relentless and dominant, the offense was extremely one-dimensional, leaning heavily on the run and failing to establish any consistent rhythm in the passing game. A big part of the conversation has to be around Michigan’s offensive coaching staff and the play-calling for quarterback Alex Oriji. Despite Oriji's talent and potential, the coaches didn’t give him enough opportunities to make plays through the air, sticking with predictable run-heavy schemes that USC’s defense started keying in on. We’ll dive into how the offensive coaches need to do a much better job calling pass plays and putting Oriji in situations where he can showcase his arm talent and keep defenses honest. If Michigan wants to keep winning against top-tier opponents, the passing game can’t be this limited. Tune in as we dissect key plays, the defensive domination, and where Michigan’s offense has to improve, especially in utilizing Oriji more effectively. This win keeps the Wolverines' hopes alive, but there’s work to be done if they want to be true contenders down the stretch."