With a dual quarterback in Bryce Underwood, Sherrone Moore’s offense has struggled to pick up the pace. Part of the problem is a young offensive line that requires improvement in pass protection. Dropped catches are another glaring issue. Presently, Michigan is on a bye week, and the HC is working on these challenges.

Moore has decided on a significant change in the offensive line formation. They are working with Bryce to get him into pistol formation and under the center as well, for better pass protection, as reported by The Michigan Insider Brice Marich.

The coaching staff wants to have a “good balance of both in this offense”.

Over the season, Michigan’s running game has been coming off strong. Ranking No. 9 in rushing yards, they have accumulated 225.2 yards per game, chipping in 25 touchdowns, the longest by RB Justice Haynes for 75 yards. On the other hand, the passing game has struggled considerably, with just seven touchdowns and three interceptions for 1,671 yards.

Underwood’s arm strength was the talk of Ann Arbor. Against Washington, we saw Bryce throw two touchdown passes, one for 22 yards (on 1st & 10) and another for 10 yards (on 2nd & 6) for a 24-7 win. However, in the next two games, Underwood did not record any passing touchdowns. Against Michigan State or Purdue, throwing a costly interception against the Boilermakers in the red zone on 3rd & 6, and a fumble inside the five-yard line.

To improve pass-action plays, Michigan is employing different formations. “I mean, it’s, you know, the gun, the under center and pistol are the same, except it’s three yards of difference, right, because you’re going to turn your back to the defense on a play-action pass or a naked on both of those. We’re working on both. We’re working all of them.”

As Moore stated, the Passing game is a “collective” thing. It’s how the whole offense comes into play. “It’s not just the quarterback and his feet and what he’s doing, but it’s also the receivers, the tight ends, the skill players, the protection.”

While Moore is working on improving the aerial attack, he does not shy away from dialing up his friends and colleagues for advice.

“It’s Outstanding:” Sherrone Moore on calling Nick Saban

With over one year of coaching experience, Sherrone Moore continues to take notes on how to coach more effectively. “Why not take advice from somebody who you consider probably the GOAT of college football,” as he puts it. Describing the feeling, he had just one word to summarize his conversation with Nick Saban. “Outstanding.”

It was through interim head coach Jeff Poggi, Moore contacted the legend last year. Michigan had just beaten Alabama in the Rose Bowl (2023), 27-20. The next month, Moore connected with him. “He really didn’t want to talk to me after that. But we connected in that February, I think, when I first got the job, and we talked a little bit. And I remember him talking about, ‘You know, I really didn’t like you guys’ game plan against us.” Although the Bama legend was annoyed following the defeat, it was a meaningful connection through which Moore benefited a lot.

“So I try to call him probably every two months, a month. When you call Coach Saban sometimes, it’s like you don’t know if he really wants to talk to you,” he added. Not just the former Alabama head coach, Moore also reaches out to his mentors and former colleagues. “I talked to Jim last week.”

Like former Alabama head coach, Moore constantly stresses meaningful relationships.