How PFF graded Michigan football after Week 1

There was a lot to like about Michigan football in its Week 1 win over Western Michigan, and advanced analytics and scouting site Pro Football Focus (PFF), agrees.

With a game finally out there to review, the Wolverines showcased an explosive offense and stout defense, with several players showing out in the season debut. There’s a lot to analyze of course, and though WMU is a MAC opponent, advanced analytics tell PFF that after one game, Michigan has a lot working in its advantage.

PFF team of the week

Anthony Treash put together his Week 1 national team (though two games had yet to be played), and two Wolverines made the cut, one on either side of the ball. Andrew Vastardis, the sixth-year center and team captain, made the cut on the offensive team, while Aidan Hutchinson got the nod on defense.

Michigan was the only team to get two players on the list.

Team grades

While not every team has played (Notre Dame at Florida State is taking place Sunday night while Ole Miss vs. Louisiana is on Monday), Michigan fared out well in a lot of team categories.

According to PFF Premium Stats ($), Michigan graded out as the seventh-best team in the country with a 90.1 grade, the second-best in the Power Five (Auburn is rated No. 4). It was led by offense, where Michigan came in at No. 6 (87.9). The run game was the team’s best attribute, ranking No. 2 overall nationally (93.4 grade), while passing game is seventh (90.8 grade). In pass blocking, Michigan was rated 79th while the Wolverines came in at No. 21 in run blocking.

The defense is rated No. 37 overall (grade of 75.8). It was 77th in run defense, 31st in tackling, 18th in pass rush and 41st in coverage. Special teams is ranked 23rd overall.

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Individual grades

Offense

Cade McNamara is rated the best on the team offensively, and also the top Power Five quarterback. He’s third nationally, behind only UAB’s Dylan Hopkins and Pitt backup Davis Beville (neither of which attempted more than three passes). He came in 10th in ‘big time throw rate’ with two big time throws. He threw no turnover-worthy passes against Western Michigan.

Top 10

Defense

The defense didn’t grade out quite as stellar as the offense, save for a handful of players. Aidan Hutchinson graded out as the best at 93 overall, which is seventh-best in the country. His pass rush grade of 92.2 comes in 11th nationally. Caden Kolesar only played 7 snaps according to PFF and was the best in coverage with an 84.1 grade (32nd overall). Daxton Hill’s coverage grade of 78.4 is good for 75th nationally.

Top 10

Special teams

Special teams did not grade as well, but German Green, Caden Kolesar, Junior Colson, Makari Paige, David Ojabo, Keshaun Harris, Michael Barrett, Jordan Morant, Mike Sainristil and Kalel Mullings were the top 10, in that order. Kolesar played 21 special teams snaps, Barrett played 20, Green played 19, Harris had 18 and Sainristil had 15.

List

Big Ten power rankings with Week 1 action in the books

Snap counts

Of course, not everyone played the same amount of snaps. Some of those who graded well above played less than 10 snaps, whereas many played six times that.

Separating by offense and defense, here is who played the most in the game.

Offense

Defense

List

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