Michigan’s passing game has finally started to look dangerous, but it may be heading into a tricky spot this weekend.
The Wolverines have leaned hard on Bryce Underwood’s top two targets, and that duo has carried the offense through the first four games. In the loss to Iowa, Underwood threw for a season-high 276 yards, and both Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan went over 100 receiving yards.
Buchanan has been the more productive of the two overall, leading Michigan with 396 receiving yards on 20 catches and four touchdowns. Marsh has actually caught more passes, with 22 receptions, but he’s totaled 239 yards and one score.
That kind of production has made it tough for Michigan to spread the ball around. The only other receiver to score a touchdown this season is Salesi Moa, and that came from backup quarterback Tommy Carr. Even the running backs, Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter, have more receiving yards than the rest of the wideout group through four games.
Wide receivers coach Micah Simon knows the Wolverines need more answers from the rest of the room, but he also knows why Buchanan and Marsh keep staying on the field.
#Michigan WR coach Micah Simon says he’s got a battle in his head on playing others more because guys have earned snaps, but admits it’s tough to take JJ Buchanan and Andrew Marsh off the field with how they’ve been playing. pic.twitter.com/D5QLoh6Kah
- Brice Marich (@BriceMarich) September 30, 2026
That tension gets a lot more important if Marsh can’t go against Minnesota. On Thursday’s Big Ten Availability Report, he was listed as questionable after not showing up in Kyle Whittingham’s injury update on Monday. That leaves two possibilities: something came up in practice, or Marsh is dealing with an issue that’s serious enough to put his status in doubt.
Questionable is not out, so Marsh still has a shot to play. But even if he’s active, he may not be at full strength, and that could change how much Michigan can lean on him.
If Marsh is limited or unavailable, the Wolverines may have to treat Minnesota as a game-day audition for the rest of the receiver group. Before the Iowa game, Whittingham said there was still a WR3 battle between Salesi Moa, Channing Goodwin and Kendrick Bell.
Of that trio, Moa has the most production with two catches for 23 yards. Goodwin and Bell have not recorded a reception this season.
Freshman Travis Johnson is another name in the mix. He drew plenty of buzz in fall camp, but so far he has just one catch for 10 yards.
If Marsh can’t play, Michigan will probably still ride Buchanan heavily. But Underwood is going to need more than one reliable option sooner rather than later, especially if opponents start finding ways to take both Buchanan and Marsh out of the picture.
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