Michigan offense shows progress ahead of Iowa showdown, Whittingham says
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Michigan Wolverines enter Saturday's Big Ten clash with Iowa having taken a step forward on offense, but head coach Kyle Whittingham made it clear the unit still has work to do before facing the Hawkeyes' stout defense.
After a sluggish first half against UTEP in Week 3, Michigan's offense found its rhythm after the break, finishing with more than 400 total yards in what Whittingham called the team's most productive outing of the season. The timing could not be better, with Iowa coming to town for a 3:36 p.m. EDT kickoff on CBS.
Whittingham sees progress, but wants more explosive plays
Whittingham praised quarterback Bryce Underwood for his best performance of the season and noted the running game showed improvement. Running backs Savion and Jordan Marshall each approached the 60-yard mark, giving the Wolverines a more balanced attack than in previous weeks.
Wide receiver Andrew Marsh also broke out with a 100-yard receiving day, including a 34-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Whittingham acknowledged the passing game was better, but he wants to see more big plays downfield.
“We didn't connect on the big 40, 50, 60-yard play,” Whittingham said. “The more you can stretch the defense, the more it loosens up the box.”
The Wolverines threw for 246 yards combined between Underwood and backup Tommy Carr, but Whittingham believes connecting on longer passes will open up the run game against defenses that stack the box.
Tight end room getting healthier at the right time
One reason Michigan's passing attack could improve is the return of key tight ends. Hogan Hansen made his season debut against UTEP, playing 17 snaps and making an impact as a blocker. Zack Marshall has played in all three games but has been limited by offseason injuries.
Whittingham said Hansen brings a unique skill set to the position group, particularly as a pass-catching target.
“It was great to have him back,” Whittingham said. “He's a target, another big catch radius guy that Bryce can go to.”
Jalen Hoffman has emerged as the top tight end so far, playing nearly 50 more snaps than Marshall. But Whittingham expects the rotation to expand as Hansen and Marshall get closer to full health.
Iowa brings tough defense, revamped offense to Ann Arbor
The Hawkeyes have long been known for their defensive prowess, and this season appears to be no different. Iowa's defense will test a Michigan offense that has shown flashes but has yet to put together a complete four-quarter performance.
Whittingham acknowledged the degree of difficulty rises significantly this week.
“We realize the degree of difficulty gets up much higher this week,” he said. “But I think it was a step forward for our offense.”
What to watch for against Iowa
Michigan will need to protect the football after committing two turnovers in the first half against UTEP. Penalties also hurt the Wolverines early, putting the defense in tough spots.
If Michigan can establish the run and hit a few explosive passes, the offense could finally put together the complete performance Whittingham has been looking for. With Iowa's defense coming to town, there is no better time to find that consistency.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire.