Michigan’s passing game has started to show some life, and Bryce Underwood is a big reason why. After a rough opening stretch, the Wolverines have been better through the air in each of the last two weeks against UTEP and Iowa, and the quarterback’s growing comfort with offensive coordinator Jason Beck is becoming easier to see.
That progress earned Michigan a B-Minus from CBS Sports’ Richard Johnson, who graded every new quarterback-offensive coordinator pairing in the country. The Wolverines made the list because of Beck’s arrival this offseason, and Johnson’s view was that the early returns have been uneven but trending in the right direction.
“Things have started off rocky from a wins-and-losses perspective for the Wolverines, and controversy will always surround the opener,” Johnson said. “But Underwood's play has ticked up as the season progresses. Michigan has found ways to use his natural running ability, which was a key to the game and as has come along to pair with JJ Buchanan, the passing game is trending in the right direction.
"Underwood's game against featured a career-high in passing yardage and some of the efficient passing on the run that had been the catalyst for excitement about him as a recruit. The question is whether the Wolverines can improve in the red zone to generate more scores, which doomed them against the Hawkeyes.”
That grade fits the story of Michigan’s first four games: one bad performance, one below-average outing, and two solid ones. The Western Michigan game remains the glaring low point on Underwood’s early résumé. It’s the kind of night that would draw even more attention if not for the wild finish.
The expectations entering the season were pretty simple: show growth. Underwood’s first year at the controls was essentially a reset, with a chaotic coaching setup that left him figuring out the college game on his own. In that kind of environment, most quarterbacks would have had a hard time.
The first two weeks brought plenty of justified questions about the passing attack. But the conversation has shifted a bit since then, and it’s not just about the numbers.
Underwood looks more settled. His reads are cleaner.
He’s not getting rattled when pressure shows up.
There’s still plenty to sharpen, though. Underwood has committed turnovers in three of Michigan’s four games, and even if the interception against Iowa wasn’t on him, ball security has to stay front and center.
The bigger point is that the arrow has to keep pointing up. Michigan won’t beat Indiana, Oregon, or Ohio State if Underwood doesn’t keep taking steps forward.
For now, the B-Minus feels about right. The one real critique that hangs over Beck is his conservative approach.
The Wolverines were too cautious late against Iowa, and that’s been a recurring issue. Beck has to lean into his quarterback more and trust him to make plays, especially now that Underwood is starting to earn that trust.
In Other News...
Jordan Marshalls Frustration Says Everything About Michigan Right Now
Jordan Marshalls postgame frustration after Michigans loss to Minnesota said plenty about where the Wolverines are right now. The running back didnt sugarcoat the mess on the field, pointing to the mistakes and the lack of cohesion that have made this stretch so hard to watch, and he made it clear the team cant afford to keep drifting through games without sharper execution or better accountability.
Marshall also framed the upcoming bye week as a chance for the roster to look inward and tighten things up. He said the players need to own their part, get more connected and play with more purpose, while also expressing trust that the coaching staff can make the necessary adjustments. For a Michigan team searching for answers, that blend of frustration and faith may be the clearest sign of how much work still remains. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan's Offense Has A Bigger Problem Than Fans Wanted To Admit
Michigans 20-14 loss to Minnesota dropped the Wolverines to 3-2 and reopened a conversation the program would rather avoid this early in the season. The defense did enough to keep the game within reach, but the issues on the other side of the ball were harder to ignore, especially with head coach Kyle Whittinghams timeout management and offensive coordinator Jason Becks scheme drawing scrutiny as the night wore on.
Bryce Underwoods performance only sharpened the concern, with two interceptions and a few missed opportunities leaving Michigan stuck without enough answers when it mattered most. For a team trying to steady itself after another frustrating result, the bigger problem looks less like one bad evening and more like an offense that has yet to find a reliable identity. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Fans Have A Bigger Worry After Herbstreits Warning Sign
Kirk Herbstreit was the only College GameDay analyst to pick Minnesota over Michigan, and the call landed with extra weight because his son is playing quarterback for the Wolverines. The prediction ended up looking sharper than most expected, but for Michigan fans, the bigger concern was not one broadcasters take. It was the way the game exposed a team still searching for answers.
Coach Whittingham acknowledged the problems after the loss, pointing first to issues on defense and then to a longer list of deficiencies the staff is trying to clean up. He said the situation ranks among the biggest challenges of his career, a blunt assessment that matches the mood around the program. The warning sign now is less about one upset than about whether Michigan can fix enough before the season slips further from reach. [Read more 🡒]