Michigan fans have plenty of reasons to be cautious about the offense, but the shape of this group in 2026 points to something much different.
The biggest issue last season was simple: against the best defenses on the schedule, Michigan couldn’t consistently move the ball. The Wolverines managed just 13 points against Oklahoma and USC, then only nine against Ohio State. That kind of production leaves a mark, even if there were flashes elsewhere.
The Texas game offered a better glimpse of what this offense could become. Bryce Underwood looked sharper, and while he still had some late mistakes, that was the version Michigan should have been chasing all along. The idea was clear: let Underwood throw, but also give him room to hurt defenses as a runner.
That part of the equation feels especially important now. If Jason Beck runs the offense the way he did for Devon Dampier last season, Underwood’s legs alone could lift the unit.
Underwood averaged 30 rushing yards per game last season, finishing with 218 total, and the sense is he could have done even more with a more aggressive approach. Michigan doesn’t need to get reckless, but it does need to open things up.
Beck should help there, even if head coach Kyle Whittingham has a reputation for leaning on the run. That identity still fits Michigan well, especially with an offensive line that should rank among the best in college football. The Wolverines have seven starters for five spots, much like they did in 2023.
Still, the real change in 2026 may come through the air.
Michigan is not suddenly going to become a team that throws on 60 percent of its snaps. That’s not Whittingham’s style, and it doesn’t have to be. The ground game is strong enough to carry its share, with a running back room that can stack up with anyone in college football, not just the Big Ten, at least when it comes to the top two options.
What makes the offense more dangerous is the passing talent around Underwood. Andrew Marsh is already a familiar name, but JJ Buchanan deserves more attention than he gets. He averaged 71 receiving yards over the final three games of last season, and in each of those games he had a catch of at least 29 yards, including two grabs of 59 or more.
There’s more depth behind them, too. Former top-100 recruit Jamie Ffrench arrived from Texas, top-100 freshman Salesi Moa is in the mix, and four-star signee Travis Johnson adds another layer.
Buchanan is 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Johnson is 6-foot-3, and Marsh and Ffrench are both 6-foot. That gives Underwood a deeper and more talented receiving group than he had last season.
The tight end room also has enough to work with. Hogan Hansen still has to live up to his promise, but he is healthy and remains a breakout candidate. Zach Marshall put up 197 receiving yards last season and already has a solid connection with Underwood.
Add it all together, and the running game should become more dangerous as well. When defenses have to respect Underwood on zone-read looks and RPOs, it opens the door for the backs and makes the entire offense harder to defend.
That’s why there’s real optimism here. Underwood should be better in 2026 simply because he’ll be more seasoned.
The offensive line should be stronger. The play-calling should be better.
The talent around him is better, too.
If everything clicks, Michigan’s offense won’t just improve. It will look nothing like the one that averaged fewer than 12 points per game in three regular-season losses.
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Howards visit comes as his recruitment has picked up across the country, with a growing list of programs involved. Michigan is also trying to build on the momentum from its summer work with four-star linebacker Andre Alexander, who left his June visit with a strong impression of the program and a clear sense of what matters most to him as his recruitment moves forward. [Read more 🡒]