Every top-10 matchup is determined in the trenches. This week’s Texas-Michigan battle is no different.
As far as offensive lines are concerned, the fourth-ranked Longhorns (1-0) may like their odds against the ninth-ranked Wolverines (1-0).
The Longhorns returned four starters from last season’s unit and have a projected first-round NFL Draft pick in left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. They were mashing and mauling the Mountain West-based Colorado State Rams on Saturday en route to a 52-0 blowout.
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Texas came into the game with questions about its rushing attack but still tallied 190 yards on the ground and three rushing touchdowns. The Horns also went 7-for-7 inside the Rams’ 20-yard line. Red zone success ran hot and cold last season as Texas leaned on one of the nation’s best kickers in Bert Auburn, who returned in 2024.
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Still, center Jake Majors wasn’t content with an easy season-opening win.
“We trusted our culture and we relied on each other whenever times got tough,” Majors said. “But you know, it wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t perfect for everybody, and we know that, and we’re going to go into next week fixing the problems.
“Like (offensive line coach Kyle) Flood says all the time, the great teams improve from week one to week two,” Majors added. “We want to be great. We’ve got to improve.”
Michigan’s offensive line was a major question mark going into its season opener against Fresno State. The entire line had to be rebuilt. Granted, the Wolverines has mostly veterans. The only transfer starter is left guard Josh Priebe (Northwestern).
The Wolverines had 148 rushing yards in the 30-10 win over the Bulldogs and only 269 total. Michigan averaged 4.4 yards per play while Texas was averaging 7.4. Michigan may have six All-Big Ten returning players, but four of those are on defense and none are on the offensive line.
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Asked afterward about his offensive line, Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said succinctly, “It takes time. They’ll be better next week.”
The Longhorns’ defensive line didn’t register any sacks against the Rams’ Air Raid offense, but that’s not totally surprising. The Air Raid system is designed to get the ball out quickly and avoid pressure of any kind. Texas find a way to crank up the defensive pressure on a Michigan unit still finding its footing.
Meanwhile, Fresno State had one sack, four tackles for loss and two quarterback pressures in Ann Arbor.
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