Explosive plays in the passing game must be visible

Michigan football’s passing game has struggled all season.

When quarterback Alex Orji took over for Davis Warren in the second half of a Week 3 win against Arkansas State, there was hope that the air attack would improve, if for no other reason UM was ranked 18th out of 18 teams in the big overall There were ten of them – there was no other way but up.

Or not.

Instead, the Wolverines’ passing game was brought to a near standstill.

Today, the Wolverines still rank last in the Big Ten in passing yards per game (115.4) and 129th nationally (out of 133) – ahead of only New Mexico State, Louisiana-Monroe, Army and Air Force. Since becoming the starter, Orji has completed just 17 of 30 passes for 121 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Michigan quarterback Alex Orji looks to throw down the field during the first half between Michigan and Minnesota at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, September 28, 2024.

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Still, offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell said he saw a progression from Orji’s first start, a win over USC, to his second, a win over Minnesota last week.

“The first start was a big game, a huge game, arguably one of the biggest home wins we’ve had at Ohio State since 1921,” Campbell told reporters Wednesday. “Stat Line may not have shown everything he did … but we came away from that game excited.”

“Then there was some development in the passing game last week.”

That may be true, but this is also true: UM’s passing attack is more of an albatross around its neck than a soaring eagle. Several issues prevent the Wolverines from moving the ball through the air. The boss among them? The lack of viable external goals.

Although Campbell said the team feels like it has plenty of options across the board, he acknowledged that production needs to ramp up. So far, the Wolverines’ top four wide receivers – Semaj Morgan, Tyler Morris, Fredrick Moore and Kendrick Bell – have combined for 24 catches for 190 yards and two touchdowns in five games. If you add the individual receptions from wideouts CJ Charleston and Peyton O’Leary, position coach Ron Bellamy has a total of 234 receiving yards.

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Compare that to Michigan’s upcoming opponent, Washington. The Huskies have two receivers with more than 400 receiving yards each and a third with 201 yards. Michigan didn’t have a single “explosive” passing play (defined as a gain of 20 yards or more) with Orji under center. If UM wants to avoid having these shaky games every week, the offensive architect knows it will require more big plays – and not just the ones he makes on the floor.

“The explosiveness that we mentioned earlier in the passing game needs to come through,” Campbell said. “Now do we have to score in a minute or two like those Air Raid teams? No, that’s not what we’re asking for. However, it’s easier in seven or eight plays if you have explosive plays in the throwing game. I just can’t rely on the backbone of the running game to create these explosives.

“Obviously that happened against USC, (and) we’re grateful for that, but it’s not a reality that’s sustainable over the course of a season.”

The longest play through the air all season was a 33-yard pass to backup tight end Marlin Klein against Arkansas State.

Of course, a weak passing game also becomes a problem in other ways. For example, it puts a strain on the rushing attack when the defensive backs don’t have to pay attention to coverage and respect the ball deep, the linebackers can cheat with their eyes, and the defense can send an extra man into the box for run support.

Furthermore, without true balance, it leads to more boom-or-bust possessions. Yes, UM played its running game with three drives against Minnesota that lasted a total of 18 minutes after halftime, but the eight other drives lasted less than 13 minutes combined. With Orji under center, more drives ended in threes (10) than points (9).

On drives that don’t score, UM averages less than seven yards.

“The most important thing in a ride is getting to first place,” Campbell said. “You don’t want to go with three people. If you do that, it’s detrimental to the defense and detrimental to the punt team. You don’t play supplementary football.”

Luckily for the Wolverines, they have Colston Loveland, who leads the squad with 23 catches for 228 yards. Campbell moved him all over the formation to get him open. But without another threat, the defense can contain the star and give him extra attention.

That hasn’t stopped him, but it does limit his options.

That puts the onus back on the wide receivers, who have largely failed to achieve consistent separation, which Campbell said has been a focus. There were stacks, bunches and moves, but in the end, he said, the problem was partly that wide receivers were being more precise and detailed, and partly that coaches (like himself) were optimizing their positions.

“We have to help these guys,” he said. “But when the games are called for, we have to execute them.”

When throwing within 9 yards of the line of scrimmage, Orji is 18-for-21 passing for 102 yards and three touchdowns. But beyond that, he’s 2 of 13 (albeit with one drop) and he’s 0 of 6 on passes of 20 yards or more.

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