Michigan’s 17-10 win over No. 11 Oklahoma had plenty to do with the defense smothering the Sooners all afternoon, but the offensive change that stood out most came from Kyle Whittingham’s decision to lean into Bryce Underwood as a runner.
After a rough season opener against Western Michigan, Underwood looked far more settled in this one. He was better throwing the ball and more comfortable moving with it, and that dual threat gave Michigan’s offense a different shape against Oklahoma.
The clearest sign of that adjustment showed up in the box score. Underwood led Michigan on the ground with 18 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown.
In the opener against Western Michigan, he had nine carries for 47 yards. Michigan made a noticeable effort to involve him more in the run game, and it paid off.
That didn’t turn the offense into a finished product. There is still plenty to clean up. But the unit did take a step forward, and Underwood’s legs were a major reason why.
The workload split also says plenty about how this game unfolded. Underwood’s 18 carries came while Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter combined for 19. That probably isn’t the long-term balance Michigan wants as it tries to keep developing the offense, but it was the formula needed to beat Oklahoma.
Against UTEP this week, Michigan likely won’t want Underwood taking that kind of pounding. Later in the season, though, in games against Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State, this could be the kind of rushing approach that defines the offense.
It wasn’t perfect, but Michigan’s offense clearly moved in the right direction, and Whittingham’s choice to get Underwood more involved on the ground was a big reason why.
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 🡒]
Michigans Oklahoma Win Revealed Who Really Drove The Offense
Michigans win over Oklahoma offered a useful early snapshot of how the offense is coming together, and the grades from Pro Football Focus helped explain which players were actually driving it. Savion Hiter may not have piled up rushing yards, but he still found ways to help through the passing game, while Bryce Underwood showed a more effective running threat than he had in earlier looks. JJ Buchanan also gave the passing attack a needed boost, adding another option in a game where the offense had to piece together production in different ways.
The deeper takeaway is that Michigans front kept the whole thing steady even while dealing with an injury, and that kind of reliability matters as the season settles in. The snap counts at tight end and wide receiver also painted a clearer picture of who the staff trusted in key moments, but the bigger question is how those usage patterns will evolve once the offense has to keep building on this performance. [Read more 🡒]