After the 27:17 away loss against Washington last weekend, the Michigan Wolverines started the break week with a 4:2 record and still many question marks on both sides. Given that the second half of the schedule is full of potential stumbling blocks for Michigan, the outlook for the 2024 season is bleak at the halfway point.

To salvage the rest of the season, the Wolverines will have to try to build on the things that went right while figuring out how to correct the things that seemed worrisome over the six weeks.

Here's how you can do it:

After watching this team compete for six weeks, it's clear that there are issues on both sides of the ball. A nonexistent passing attack, coupled with a defense that often plays undisciplined and out of position, has created a situation where the Wolverines are fighting for their life in the fourth quarter week after week. Although Michigan has found a way to avoid some potential losses this year, the reality is that 4-2 could easily be 2-4 right now.

If you're head coach Sherrone Moore, how do you fix it? You will meet with your coordinators during the bye week and consider how you can make meaningful adjustments in the future.

attack

With Jack Tuttle now taking over the starting quarterback role, we should see a boost in performance from Michigan's offense through the air. But a lot of that potential in the air depends on offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell's willingness to actually do it.

In six weeks, Michigan's passing attack is one of the worst in all of college football. Semaj Morgan is currently Michigan's leading receiver, averaging just two receptions for 13 yards per game. While the quarterback play has been less than ideal, we haven't seen a willingness from Campbell to try to develop a deep ball threat. Bubble screens and short crossing paths are not enough and are certainly not a recipe for success. Sherrone Moore needs to make sure things change in the second half of the season.

If Michigan can add a competent (and vertical) passing attack in the future, we should see a far more productive offense from the Wolverines in the coming weeks.

defense

On the defensive side of the ball, the Wolverines showed some Flashes of the dominance we all expected at the start of the season. But they also play undisciplined and are often out of position, especially in the secondary. After six weeks, Michigan currently ranks 115th nationally in pass defense and is giving up over 250 yards per game through the air.

Although the rush defense is significantly better, Michigan is unable to stop opposing offenses from putting up points in the second half – something that used to be a strength of this defense. Against Washington, the Wolverines were outnumbered in the second half for the fourth straight time, and this time it resulted in a loss. I understand that defensive coordinator Wink Martindale has a certain type of plan that he likes to implement, but it's time to reevaluate that plan based on his personnel.

I'm not sure how many games Michigan will be favored in the rest of the season, but you can pretty much bet they won't be favored against Oregon and Ohio State. But outside of those two games, the Wolverines are expected to continue facing Illinois, Michigan State, Indiana and Northwestern, at least in Ann Arbor.

These wins would give Michigan at least eight wins on the season. It won't get you into the playoffs and certainly not Indy, but 8-4 looks a hell of a lot better than 7-5 or worse.

I understand, it's far-fetched. After six weeks, Ohio State appears to be a slight favorite to win the national championship. On the other hand, Michigan is still struggling to figure out how to complete a forward pass. But if there's a way to salvage a less-than-ideal season, a win against Ohio State is the way to do it.

The good news is that Michigan has gotten used to beating Ohio State over the last three years, and there isn't a single Wolverine on this roster that has ever suffered a loss to the Buckeyes. The expectation in Ann Arbor is to beat the team to the south. Even if the season doesn't turn out the way you'd hoped, there's always a chance to spring a surprise on a fall Saturday – just ask the folks in Tuscaloosa.

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