Michigan’s offensive line has been heavily criticized in recent years, but many expected this to be the year it all finally came together.
Through two games, it’s seen its share of ups and downs, but sophomore left guard Ben Bredeson said things are trending up.
“We’re starting to gel and pick up the pace,” he explained. “Everybody is coming together, and I feel good about where we’re at.”
Bredeson said that a big reason he feels so confident about the unit is because of senior left tackle Mason Cole.
“Mason and I work very well together,” he said. “We’ve got that intuition down because we played next to each other last year, so that helped a lot. Now that we’re in our second year next to each other, we have a feel for what the other is going to do, and that allows us to anticipate what’s going to happen.”
Although Cole is now playing on Bredeson’s left side — after playing on his right last year — the sophomore explained that not much has changed.
“It doesn’t change anything,” he said. “I’ve got two older wise guys next to me with [fifth-year senior center] Pat [Kugler] on one side and Mason on the other. It helps having experience around you. Technique-wise is maybe the only thing that’s changed a little bit.
“Those two give me more advice than you can count. Mason’s leadership role has taken off this year. He’s such a natural-born leader and that’s why he’s one of our captains. He’s really taken control of the offensive line and the offense in general.”
Just as Cole and Kugler serve as mentors to Bredeson, the sophomore said he serves a similar role to the less-experienced Mike Onwenu at right guard.
“Mike and I talk a lot, and we bounce different ideas off each other to see what’s working,” Bredeson explained. “During the game, we talk about what the 3-techniques are doing across from us, so we help each other in that sense.”
Finally, it was announced on Tuesday that Amazon Prime would be releasing an eight-episode series in January documenting Michigan’s 2017 season.
Bredeson said he likes the idea.
“I think it’s great,” he exclaimed. “It’s cool to have Amazon here walking around, and it’ll answer a lot of questions for Mom and Dad, who always want to know what’s going on around here.”
Some have pointed out that it’ll serve as yet another recruiting advantage for Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines, and Bredeson didn’t refute that.
“Any kind of media exposure can be a recruiting tool nowadays,” he said.
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