According to some commentators, the Wolverines had a lax schedule for the first four weeks of the season. According to some media, Michigan football ought to have scored more points in their two months of play versus the opposition.
Whatever those people’s thoughts, Michigan football is still unbeaten even after Coach Harbaugh missed six games altogether before coming back to the sidelines to win the 2023 Big Ten Championship.
Michigan’s 13-win campaign earned them a berth in the College Football Playoff; Alabama will face the Wolverines on January 1. The Wolverines have thrived in the midst of chaos and misfortune from the start of the season until now.
The coaches devised tactics in each daily practice session that facilitated the team’s development of synergy on both ends of the ball. Let’s take a moment to consider a few statistical successes that have improved as of this season’s fifth week.
Colston Loveland finished strong
After racking up six receiving touchdowns in the first four games of this season, Roman Wilson had been absolutely dominating opponents. With 224 yards gained in his first four games, Cornelius Johnson proved he could outrun man- or zone-coverage defenses.
It took Colston Loveland a bit longer to win the lottery. After five weeks of football to start the season, he failed to find the end zone.
Loveland has been playing as the team’s top tight end since Week 5, though, which has given him more chances to produce for the group.
Alabama will have to plan to stop the two wide receivers I mentioned above. Neither wideout is one-dimensional, and both players display exceptional route-running skills. Defensive coordinators would have to account for the receivers throughout the game. The coverage dictated by Wilson and Johnson will provide opportunities for Loveland.
Blake Corum is someone that opposing linebackers can never lose sight of, and these circumstances will change and disturb defensive schemes. Locking down these outstanding playmakers will be the focus of a variety of coverage and techniques.
Colston Loveland can use his 6’5 size to take advantage of defenders when he faces single coverage. Throughout every game, the sophomore keeps getting better.
Against Minnesota, he showed a 0 in the touchdown column, but in week six, Colston Loveland scored his first touchdown. He scored four receiving touchdowns at the end of the year.
Will Johnson closed the season strong
In 2023, Will Johnson participated in just two of the first four games of the season; those two games were against UNLV and Rutgers.
Johnson underwent knee surgery in the summer, which could have contributed to his limited number of snaps in these contests. To prevent reinjury following surgery, defined protocols are adhered to when a team establishes recovery timelines for individual players.
Johnson regained his playing rhythm and came back into game shape. As the season went on, Johnson’s health became better, and his playing time rose every week.
It took perseverance and a strong work ethic for Johnson to rediscover his exceptional playmaking skills. With three interceptions and four pass breakups towards the end of the regular season, Will Johnson excelled.
Throughout the season, these numbers fluctuated. The on-field output of both athletes grew from week five to week thirteen.
These two gifted sportsmen were able to win numerous awards on the football field thanks to their abilities. In 2023, Will Johnson was selected by coaches and the media as an All-Big Ten First Team member.
