Michigan’s upset of Oklahoma turned into more than just a win. It turned into a full-blown correction of all the noise that had been building around the game all week.
For starters, the chatter about John Mateer took a quick turn after the final whistle. He told the media that he had simply made some bad throws rather than crediting Jay Hill’s defense, but that reads like an overreaction in itself.
Michigan’s defense clearly got into him and put his Heisman campaign on hold for at least a week. Mateer should be looking at more than just his own mistakes, too.
His receivers and running game did him no favors, and Rocky Beers, his no. 1 option, didn’t make a catch in the waning moments when Oklahoma needed somebody to step up.
Then came the wave of excuses aimed at Oklahoma. Some voices on social media tried to dismiss the Sooners as overrated and argued Michigan should only be 1-1.
That doesn’t hold up. Michigan came in with a chip on its shoulder and played like a team determined to prove people wrong.
That’s exactly what happened. The Wolverines humbled the crowd that had been doubting them and forced the critics to eat their words.
Oklahoma still has a brutal stretch ahead, but the loss doesn’t erase its playoff hopes. There’s no shame in dropping a game to a Michigan team that barely survived a MAC powerhouse. And being in the SEC still helps the Sooners’ case when it comes to reaching their postseason goals.
The biggest miss of all, though, came from the predictions that had Michigan getting blown out at home. Brandon Walker’s call this morning had Oklahoma winning 52-6, while another prediction posted Oklahoma at 49 and Michigan at 10.
Instead, the Wolverines won 17-10. All week, the message was that Michigan was headed for a 40-point loss or worse, and those forecasts blew up fast.
For Michigan fans, that made the win even sweeter. For the trolls, it was one more result they won’t be allowed to forget anytime soon.
In Other News...
Michigan Just Got Another Worry On The Offensive Line
Michigans offensive line had already been a spot to monitor, and the situation around Andrew Babalola only adds to the concern. The former five-star recruit was coming off an ACL tear in 2025 and was supposed to be in the mix for the starting left tackle job in 2026, but head coach Kyle Whittingham said Babalola has now hit another setback that will keep his return on hold for the near future.
There is at least a little more encouraging news on the other side of the line. Guard Evan Link, who missed the recent game because of injury, could be back for the upcoming matchup against UTEP, giving Michigan a chance to stabilize a unit that has been dealing with constant uncertainty. Even so, the bigger-picture worry remains whether Babalola can get back on track in time to matter for the position battle that was supposed to be waiting for him. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Had John Mateer Hearing It From Oklahoma Fans
John Mateer came out of Michigans matchup with Oklahoma carrying more than just the usual frustration of a bad night. The Sooners quarterback finished with 189 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception, along with 45 rushing yards, and afterward he acknowledged leaving some throws on the field that he normally makes. For a player expected to steady Oklahoma, it was the kind of performance that quickly turns a postgame conversation into a wider one.
Soon after the loss, some Oklahoma fans even took the ribbing to Facebook Marketplace, where they mocked Mateer in a way that reflected just how quickly sentiment can swing after a rough outing. It was a reminder that in a game like this, the reaction doesnt stop at the final whistle. The on-field numbers told part of the story, but the off-field response showed how closely the performance was being watched. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan's Offense Just Found A New Tension Around Bryce Underwood
After a shaky season opener against Western Michigan, Michigan steadied itself in a 17-10 win over No. 11 Oklahoma, and the biggest offensive shift came from a simple adjustment in how Bryce Underwood was used. The defense did plenty of heavy lifting, but the coaching staff also leaned harder into Underwood as a runner, and that added a different layer to an offense that had looked stuck a week earlier.
Underwood responded by leading the team on the ground with 18 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown, a noticeable jump from his previous outing. It gave Michigan a more dynamic look and helped balance a game plan that needed every available spark, even as the questions around how far this approach can go are only beginning to surface. [Read more 🡒]