ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore offered an early evaluation of the Oklahoma Sooners as the teams prepare to face off this week under the lights.
Moore described Oklahoma as a “really good football team” with strength in all three phases, including a dangerous return game.
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Offensively, Moore highlighted quarterback John Mateer and the team’s depth at running back, as well as wide receiver Deion Burks.
Moore noted Oklahoma’s use of tight end Jaren Kanak, who transitioned from linebacker, and praised their ability to spread the field and vary tempo.
Defensively, Moore called the Sooners fast and physical, mentioning his respect for several Oklahoma staff members he knows personally, like head coach Brent Venables, who was Moore’s defensive coordinator, and Kevin Wilson, who was his offensive coordinator.
Joe Jon Finley, who is the tight ends coach, played tight end when Moore was on the offensive line as a player for the Sooners.
Former Dallas Cowboys standout running back DeMarco Murray was the running back on the same team as Moore, who was opening up holes for the 2014 first-team All-Pro.
Although he went down memory lane, Moore, despite his ties to Oklahoma, emphasized that the focus is on Michigan’s players.
“This is about the kids,” said Moore. “It’s not about me. It’s about the players on our football team going to try to win a game.”
When discussing the atmosphere and what he expects to tell his team about how to prepare for the noise, Moore said it would be loud.
“It’s going to be loud,” Moore said. “But we played in loud environments, and we’re going to have to prepare for all of that noise.”
Marlin Klein
Moore also praised tight end Marlin Klein’s development, especially his improved pass-catching ability, while acknowledging ongoing work on his blocking.
He called a gutsy play call on a goal-line play action pass, “great play design” by offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey.
Klein’s been in the room with some NFL tight ends, including 2025 first-round pick Colston Loveland.
“He’s watched them work and watched how you’re supposed to do it, and he’s gotten better and better, and I’m really proud of what he has done, especially improving his ability as a passcatcher.
We knew he could block. He still got stuff to work on in that phase. But he still played really well in the run game.”
Sherrone Moore
Jaishawn Barham
Regarding a recent suspension appeal on linebacker Jaishawn Barham, Moore expressed disagreement with the ruling but stated that the team will move forward.
Barham was called for targeting during the Wolverines’ 34-17 victory over the New Mexico Lobos on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, when he laid a big hit on quarterback Jack Layne.
The play looked to regain momentum for Michigan, which was en route to a blowout as Layne fumbled the ball, which was picked up and returned for a touchdown by Barham.
But under further review, officials overturned the call, and Layne was down by contact and ejected Barham for the remainder of the game and for the first half of Saturday’s (Sept. 6) first road test of the season for the men in maize.
Moore broke the news during his press conference on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, that the appeal had been upheld.
Moore said he just learned the appeal was upheld, but expressed strong disagreement with the ruling.
He criticized the current tackling rules in college football, explaining the challenge of teaching players proper tackling techniques when there is a significant size difference between players.
“Tony (Petitti) doesn’t agree with it. A.J. (Edds) doesn’t agree with it,” said Moore.
Moore described a play early in the game where Barham had a clear shot at Layne and avoided contact by taking one step, but the ruling still went against him.
“It’s a rule that we have to get changed, and we have to look at it in college football just for the game in general.
The toughness of the game and how you want to teach tackling and how you want to teach guys that are 6’3” tackling a guy that’s 5’8”.
He lowers his head, and it might have been even worse.”
Sherrone Moore
It was reported that the Big Ten sent the appeal to the NCAA, which ruled that Barham was rightfully ejected for hitting a defenseless player due to the nature of the hit, which was helmet-to-helmet.
Despite the suspension, Moore expressed confidence in the team’s depth at linebacker.
He praised Ernest Hausmann, who recorded eight tackles and played a leadership role, as well as Jimmy Rolder and Cole Sullivan for their physical and impactful play, along with Troy Bowles and Chase Taylor.
Emotional return to Oklahoma
Moore reflected on the emotional aspect of returning to Norman, Oklahoma, where he earned his degree.
He said his loyalty is to Michigan’s players, who he described as “my kids,” and noted the challenge of preparing them for a loud, hostile environment.
The Sooners’ matchup will be under the lights in Norman, Oklahoma, as the Wolverines will travel to the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
Although it is a big game as both teams are expected to be ranked in the top 15 of the AP Poll, it will be the return of former offensive lineman, alumnus, and current head coach Moore for the first time in his head coaching career.
Moore, an offensive lineman from 2005-2006, helped the Sooners win two Big 12 championships and play in two BCS bowl games.
The matchup will be the first between the two schools since the 1976 Orange Bowl.
“Obviously, I got my degree from there, so there’s a love there, but these kids are what’s special to me.
So that’s all that I am worrying about. I’m worried about our players and getting our team ready to go play this game.
Sherrone Moore
Offensive tempo
Regarding offensive tempo, Moore said the team wants to be the aggressor and keep defenses off balance.
He credited quarterback Bryce Underwood with the ability to handle a fast-paced offense and praised the entire team for adapting well.
Underwood broke a program record for the most passing yards by a freshman starting quarterback in his debut.
Underwood finished the game with 251 yards passing, one touchdown, and no interceptions in his debut, which is the most among the four men on the prestigious list, which he joined on Saturday.
- Rick Leach (1975),
- Chad Henne (2004) and
- Tate Forcier (2009)
Underwood also became the youngest quarterback to start under center at 18 years, 11 days in the program’s 146-year history.
“Just any change of pace that you have in tempo is going to help. You know, we always want to be the aggressor, keep defenses off track and on their heels.
We want to dictate the tempo; however, it is. If it’s jumping to the ball as fast as we can.
Spreading people out and moving people around, whatever it is, we just want to dictate tempo.”
Sherrone Moore
Bob Stoops
Moore spoke fondly of his mentor, Bob Stoops, and the lessons he learned from him about coaching with love for the game and the importance of continuous learning.
“He’s one of the biggest mentors that I have, so there’s a lot of respect and love that I have for coach Stoops. I’ll see those guys before the game. There’s like no love lost or anything. I’ll see all of them before the game and say ‘Hi’ to them because there’s memories there.”
Sherrone Moore
Moore said Stoops coached players hard, and loving on them is one of the things that he remembers being told to.
“When you stop loving and learning, is when you should stop coaching. Bob was very humble and always wanted to learn, no matter who it’s from. That’s one thing that I’ll take from him. You don’t know as much as you actually think. So you’ve got to continue to learn in this game.”
Sherrone Moore
History and knowledge
Given his history with Oklahoma and the knowledge he has gained at the University of Michigan, Moore discussed having a matchup like that of two blue bloods in the midst of college football.
“I think it’s necessary to matchups like this in college football,” Moore said. “Two blue-blood programs going at it on a national stage. It’s College Game Day. It’s why you come to Michigan. It’s why you go to Oklahoma.
Moore said the matchup is the type of game that players want to be a part of and games that you’d remember.
“Playing against an Oklahoma, one of the winningest programs in college football, is huge to us, and to have a Michigan and an Oklahoma helmet on the field at the same time in what would be the second time that we’ve played, it’s going to be a cool matchup to be a part of.”
Sherrone Moore
Oklahoma matchup
On Mateer, Moore called him an “electric gunslinger” who can make every throw and run effectively.
Moore said Michigan’s defense must keep him off schedule and cover Oklahoma’s speedy receivers.
He emphasized the importance of Michigan’s offensive line in protecting Underwood and setting the tone.
Moore expressed confidence in their progress despite criticism and highlighted a standout 50-yard run by running back Justice Haynes, who experienced playing inside Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
When asked about preparing Underwood for the noise of a road game, Moore stressed focusing on teammates and executing assignments rather than the crowd.
Injuries
Moore confirmed that key offensive linemen Andrew Sprague is healthy and ready, and said players Rod Moore and Hogan Hansen have good chances of playing against Oklahoma.
Moore explained the decision to punt on a fourth down in a previous game was based on confidence in the defense and game situation, demonstrating a smart approach to field position.
Finally, Moore discussed the time it takes for an offensive line to gel, noting that it varies from year to year but emphasizing the importance of communication and coaching each other as critical to success.