Notebook: Michigan football updates heading into Week Two

Following its season opener, this 12 months’s iteration of the Michigan soccer staff stays largely unknown. 4 quarters towards a far inferior staff in Colorado State can solely say a lot, in spite of everything.

However the Wolverines probably received’t discover a lot readability towards this week’s opponent, Hawaii, a staff that’s just like the Rams in expertise, if not worse; the Wolverines opened up as 46-point favorites. 

However there may be nonetheless so much to deal with, and although Michigan’s victory over the Rams didn’t reply many questions, there are quite a lot of implications occurring in preparation for subsequent Saturday’s sport.

Michael Barrett shines

Following his six sort out efficiency, graduate linebacker Michael Barrett acquired heaps of reward from Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh at his press convention on Monday.

“Mike Barrett, I’m going to take a deep, lengthy bow on that one,” Harbaugh mentioned with a smile.

Harbaugh’s remark was in reference to the truth that, popping out of a highschool as a quarterback, nobody knew what place Barrett would play collegiately. Earlier than anybody else knew the place Barrett would thrive, Harbaugh famous that he envisioned Barrett enjoying linebacker or security.

Now, in his fifth 12 months, Barrett is excelling in his larger function at linebacker — and towards Colorado State he displayed how effectively he suits into this protection.

“I really feel fairly comfy on the market after spending the offseason tuning within the tremendous particulars of the protection,” Barrett mentioned.

Barrett has discovered a spot in a linebacker room that’s in want of additional depth, and his growth all through the remaining season will probably be paramount to the Wolverines defensive success.

Rod Moore constructing off final 12 months’s success

On Saturday, sophomore defensive again Rod Moore grabbed his first profession interception. And he didn’t cease there, notching 4 tackles and helping on a sack as effectively. 

Regardless that Moore is only a sophomore, his affect is nothing new. Moore’s contributions are solely a continuation of what he displayed in the direction of the tip of his freshman marketing campaign.

“Simply coming off final 12 months, it felt the identical,” Moore mentioned. “I simply really feel extra comfy, I really feel extra free, I play sooner.”

Moore didn’t essentially anticipate to be making an affect this early in his profession. . He mentioned it was a purpose for him, however it got here as considerably of a shock.

However after Moore made performs like he did on Saturday, his manufacturing shouldn’t come as a shock anymore.

Sure, the quarterback battle continues to be occurring:

At this level, Michigan’s quarterback competitors has been written into the bottom, however its finish stays unknown. Even after senior Cade McNamara underwhelmed in his begin to the season, the competitors just isn’t over.

This week, sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy is ready to make his first profession begin towards Hawaii. On the floor, it could appear like an early season sport towards a bunch of 5 opponent, however for Michigan, it’s McCarthy’s likelihood to show his benefit.

However even with the circus of the quarterback competitors occurring in perpetuity across the Michigan soccer program, junior extensive receiver Roman Wilson says it’s nonetheless enterprise as common within the locker room.

“It’s probably not talked about,” Wilson mentioned of the quarterback competitors. “I imply you guys discuss it sufficient, that’s sufficient for us.”

Even Harbaugh appears to have had his fill of speaking concerning the competitors.

“We’ve plowed this floor about as completely as it may possibly probably be plowed,” Harbaugh mentioned. 

Harbaugh did ultimately shift his tone, noting that he would “favor” to solely have one beginning quarterback going into each sport this season. 

Perhaps now he solely has to attend yet one more week.