Michigan's offense in freefall as Wolverines head to Oregon

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Michigan will head across the country this week with a demoralized team, an embattled first-year head coach and a season on the brink.

No. 23 Oregon, on the other hand, has suddenly found new life thanks to consecutive wins against ranked teams, including a 41-28 victory Nov. 7 at Ohio State.

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The Ducks (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) and Wolverines (5-4, 2-4) will face off at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Autzen Stadium in what will be just the second game in Eugene for Michigan.

The Wolverines have been a disappointment this season and no more so than this past Saturday when they lost 15-6 at home to rival Michigan State.

"Nothing productive about this game,” coach Kyle Whittingham lamented afterward. “It's not one step back, it's three steps back.”

Michigan had just 192 yards of offense against the Spartans and were held scoreless for the first 58 minutes. On Sunday, Whittingham fired offensive coordinator Jason Beck and named offensive line coach Jim Harding the interim OC.

Here's an early look at Michigan.

Who will be the Michigan QB?

Whittingham made a noteworthy change on offense Oct. 17 when he benched Bryce Underwood at halftime against Penn State for freshman Tommy Carr. He has not said who will start against Oregon.

Underwood was the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2025, according to the 247sports composite rankings, and is a 19-game starter for the Wolverines. But he has been unproductive – and often detrimental – this season, throwing for 924 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions on 72-of-124 passing (58.1%).

Carr hasn’t been much better. Michigan is 1-2 in his three starts and against Michigan State he went 14 for 26 for 138 yards with two interceptions. On the season, Carr is 63-of-94 passing for 641 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Carr is the grandson of Lloyd Carr, the former Michigan coach who was in charge in 2003, the last season the Wolverines played at Autzen Stadium.

Other Michigan offensive standouts

The Wolverines have a pair of receivers with at least 40 catches, including JJ Buchanan who has 40 for 646 yards and five touchdowns. Running backs Savion Hiter (331 yards, three TDs) and Jordan Marshall (323 yards, five TDs) lead the ground attack.

But with unsteady quarterback play and Beck's struggles to make all the pieces work, Michigan’s offense is statistically one of the worst at the NCAA’s FBS level.  

The Wolverines rank 126th nationally in scoring offense (19.6 points per game), 132nd in total offense (302.6 yards per game), 125th in passing offense (173.9 ypg) and 109th in rushing offense (128.7 ypg).

Defensive standouts for Michigan

For all the problems the Wolverines are having on offense, their defense has been playing like one of the best units in the nation.

Linebacker Troy Bowles is the team leader with 72 tackles, including 7.0 for a loss. Defensive end John Henry Daley has been a force with 6.0 sacks and 9.0 TFLs, and cornerback Zeke Berry has been a standout in the secondary.

 Michigan ranks fourth in the FBS and leads the Big Ten in fewest yards allowed per game (255.3) and is fourth in the FBS and second in the conference in fewest passing yards allowed per game (154.8).

The Wolverines have allowed just 12 offensive touchdowns and 16.2 points per game.

The last time the Ducks and Wolverines met

Oregon and Michigan have only played six times, and only once at Autzen Stadium – a 31-27 win for the Ducks in 2003.

Since then, Oregon won in 2007 at Michigan Stadium – a Dennis Dixon-led 39-7 victory that is one of the signature games in Oregon football’s rise to national prominence – and 38-17 in 2024 in the first Big Ten game between the two programs.

Evan Stewart and Matayo Uiagalelei had standout performances in that game. Stewart had four catches and a touchdown, and Uiagalelei had one sack and forced a fumble.

The Wolverines’ three wins in the series came in 1948, 1960 and 1973.

Game time for Oregon football vs. Michigan

  • When: Saturday, Nov. 14
  • Time: 12:30 p.m. PT
  • Where: Autzen Stadium

How to watch Oregon football vs. Michigan

Betting line for Oregon football vs. Michigan

Odds courtesy of BetMGM sportsbook as of Sunday, Nov. 8.

  • Spread: Oregon by 11 points
  • Over/under: 40.5
  • Moneyline: Oregon -450, Michigan +350

Chris Hansen covers University of Oregon football, men’s basketball, track and field, cross country and softball for The Register-Guard. You can reach him at [email protected].

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This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Michigan's offense in freefall as Wolverines head to Oregon

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