Michigan defensive line, USC offensive line have a lot to prove

We are talking to Wolverines Wire editor Isaiah Hole before Michigan faces USC this Saturday. Texas’s offensive line manhandled Michigan’s defensive line, which was supposed to be the strength of the 2024 UM roster. We asked Isaiah if the Michigan defensive line is ready to bounce back against the USC offensive line, in what figures to be the most important positional matchup on the field in Ann Arbor.

“It absolutely can and it’s somewhat shocking that that happened,” Hole said about Texas dominating Michigan up front. “Remember, these four in the front were the ones on the field for the final play against Alabama and were the ones throwing Washington’s Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line around in the national championship game. But for some reason, they look like they’ve taken a step back. Part of that is depth – these players are used to playing about 35 snaps a game, not 50-plus. But we’re not seeing early dominance followed by a falling off, so that’s a bit perplexing. Quinn Ewers wasn’t holding on to the ball for very long and was adept at sidestepping pressure throughout the game, so it wasn’t like Michigan’s front wasn’t getting into the backfield, it just wasn’t getting home. But we’ve seen these specific four dominate elite lines in the past year, it just hasn’t quite found the same momentum yet this year. This game will be the big test as USC is good but not as elite as what the Longhorns presented.”

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