Michigan Wolverines’ Problems Continue Ahead Of Huge USC Matchup

The Michigan Wolverines entered the 2024 college football season knowing they'd have to replace head coach Jim Harbaugh and starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy. 

But Harbaugh's replacement, Sherrone Moore, had already led the Wolverines to wins over Penn State and Ohio State in 2023 and been named one of the top assistant coaches in college football. While few around the sport expected Michigan to pick up right where their National Championship season left off, almost no one expected Michigan to play the way it has through its first three games.

Michigan opened the season with an unimpressive win over Fresno State, putting up just 269 total yards on offense, with McCarthy's replacement Davis Warren throwing for just 118 yards. Against Fresno State. At home.

Michigan had an opportunity to prove doubters wrong in week two, hosting the Texas Longhorns in a matchup of top-10 teams. The Wolverines got blown out.

READ: Texas Makes Case As Best Team In Country, While Michigan Shows How Far And Fast It's Fallen | Barrett Sallee

Week three presented another opportunity for the Wolverines to get things right against an overmatched Arkansas State Red Wolves team. Except it didn't exactly work out that way. Again.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Michigan Wolverines quarterback Davis Warren (16) prepares to run a play against the Arkansas State Red Wolves during the first half at Michigan Stadium on Sept. 14, 2024. Photo: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The Wolverines entered Saturday with an anemic offense, ranking 67th in ESPN's SP+ advanced metric system. They didn't do much to allay those concerns.

Michigan did rack up 435 total yards, a new high for the 2024 season. They were 9/12 on third downs, and put up more than 300 rushing yards. But boy oh