NOTE: Again, I apologize for the inconsistent posting schedule lately. Too many things going on right now. I’ve started preview posts the past two weeks and just haven’t been able to finish.
Bryce Underwood is a dude. The talent of Bryce Underwood is off the charts. Michigan has never seen anything like him on their roster. The closest is Drew Henson or Devin Gardner, but Underwood is a twitchier athlete than Henson and a better thrower than Gardner. Underwood completed 21/27 passes for 230 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions, and he looked to be in control the entire game. There were a few drops, but I don’t love taking away the drops and making pronouncements about what his completion percentage should be, because then you’re not comparing apples to apples when it comes to other quarterbacks or general expectations. It’s sufficient enough to describe his accuracy by saying he completed 21/27 passes.
We have a new #1. There was talk in the off-season about Michigan wanting to add size at the receiver position, and Donovan McCulley was the guy who came in to add that element. The 6’5″, 215 lb. former quarterback has had some glitches in his understanding of what Bryce Underwood was thinking or where the routes should go, and there was at least one more on Saturday. But McCulley certainly looked the part of a #1 receiver on Saturday, making amazing leaping catches and running after the catch. He made 6 catches for 112 yards and 1 touchdown, including an amazing contortion on the left sideline to get one foot down for a 33-yard gain. His touchdown catch was an RPO where he bounced off a couple tacklers and then beat defenders to the pylon for a 29-yard score. He’s not going to amaze anyone with his speed, but when off-season comparisons to Nico Collins came in, most people rolled their eyes. I think now he’s putting on display where those comparisons came from. He registered the first 100+ yard game for a Michigan wide receiver since Roman Wilson against Purdue on November 4, 2023.
RUSH OFFENSE vs. WISCONSIN RUSH DEFENSE Michigan is the #8 rushing team in the country (253.5 yards/game) and #2 in yards per carry (6.67) after an outstanding showing over the past couple games. RB Justice Haynes (66 carries, 537 yards, 6 touchdowns) is getting buzz in Michigan circles as a potential Heisman candidate after four straight 100+ yard games, including runs of 75, 75, 59, and 56 yards over the first four weeks. I think Heisman talk is premature, but he’s fast and tough and has shown good vision. QB Bryce Underwood has 17 carries for 175 yards and 3 touchdowns over the past two games, and backup RB Jordan Marshall (16 carries, 132 yards, 3 TD over the past two games) has come alive, too. Michigan should be closer to full strength up front after the bye week, too, after playing games without LG Giovanni El-Hadi and RG Brady Norton. Wisconsin is #1 in rushing defense (50 yards allowed/game) and #3 in yards allowed per carry (2.11). Their worst performance was allowing 72 yards on 3.27 yards/carry against Alabama, so it’s a formidable run-stopping unit. They start former Grand Valley State/LSU DT Jay’viar Suggs (6’3″, 299), who was recruited by Michigan as a transfer going into 2024, and fifth year senior NT Ben Barten (6’5″, 330) on the defensive line. The two leading tacklers are junior LB Christian Alliegro (6’4″, 247) and redshirt junior LB Tackett Curtis (6’2″, 235) with 22 and 20 stops, respectively. This will be the key matchup, because Michigan’s offense depends on running the ball and Wisconsin’s lone strength is its run defense. Advantage: Wisconsin
