Michigan's Unseen Battle: Why Special Teams Are Haunting Sherrone Moore

It’s a peculiar thing, isn’t it? An undefeated season, the Wolverines rolling along with a swagger that, frankly, hasn't been seen in quite some time, and yet… a shadow. A persistent, nagging worry that even the most dominant of teams can’t quite shake. For Michigan’s interim head coach, Sherrone Moore, that particular shadow takes the form of special teams.

Honestly, the man didn't mince words. You could almost feel the weight of his concern as he spoke, emphasizing—really stressing—that this particular facet of the game, the special teams, well, it simply had to get better. And, you know, he’s not wrong. After a performance against Maryland that, for lack of a better phrase, left a bit to be desired, the issues were glaring. Missed field goals, punts that didn't quite achieve their intended glory—it all adds up, doesn't it? It leaves points on the field, and frankly, puts the defense in tougher spots than they need to be.

For any Michigan fan, or really, anyone who’s followed the program closely, the absence of a reliable, almost automatic, kicking game is palpable. Jake Moody, with his consistent leg, feels like a distant memory at times, and now the Wolverines are grappling with the reality of those crucial, high-pressure situations. Moore, in truth, owned it. He didn't deflect; he didn't make excuses. It’s on them, he conceded, to fix it, and fix it fast. That kind of candor, I think, speaks volumes about his leadership and his commitment to the team.

Yet, for all the success Michigan has enjoyed this season, this special teams vulnerability looms large. It's the kind of thing that, against lesser opponents, you might get away with. But as the stakes climb, as they inevitably will in the Big Ten Championship and, dare we dream, the College Football Playoff, every single point, every single yard, every single snap becomes magnified. This isn't just about winning; it’s about winning decisively, about leaving no stone unturned, and right now, this unit is a chink in that otherwise formidable armor.

So, what happens next? Well, you can bet your bottom dollar that Moore and his staff are burning the midnight oil. There's an urgency there, a clear understanding that the margin for error is shrinking. And while it’s a concern, for sure, it’s also an opportunity. An opportunity for players to step up, to fine-tune, to truly become the best versions of themselves when it matters most. It’s a challenge, yes, but for this Michigan team, you could say, it’s just another hurdle to clear on their impressive, albeit imperfect, march towards destiny.