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.
Hit the jump for more.
Chip Lindsey deserves a game ball. I thought this game was the best of Lindsey’s tenure at Michigan. The Wolverines didn’t light the world on fire, but Lindsey kept Washington off balance by mixing inside runs, play action passes, screens, and edge runs. He did that without starting running back Justice Haynes. Fill-in starter Jordan Marshall had a workmanlike game with 25 carries for 133 yards and 1 touchdown, and his longest run was 14 yards. Marshall isn’t quite as explosive or as shifty as Haynes, so it was a good time for Lindsey to call a good game. The thing I liked most about Lindsey’s game plan was that he took account of who was available and realized nobody was really worthy of forcing the ball to, so it seemed like he decided to help Underwood spread the ball around. With no Haynes, no Marlin Klein, and no Hogan Hansen – all of whom could demand touches against certain matchups – and Donaven McCulley’s size advantage erased by 6’3″ and 6’4″ corners, Lindsey used a bunch of different guys.
Zack Marshall had himself a day. I did not give Zack Marshall a great grade coming out of high school, and I think the jury is still out on what his career will be over the long term. However, one thing I have a hard time accounting for in recruiting is character and personality. Marshall has done a few interviews here or there, but following Saturday’s game, it’s clear how impressive and humble he is. He seems to have a great attitude. After catching 0, 1, 0, 1, 1, and 0 passes over the first six weeks of the year, he caught 5 passes for 72 yards and 1 touchdown against the Huskies. Washington absolutely didn’t game plan to stop the guy who had 3 catches for 29 yards going into the game.
I love Michigan’s tight end usage. Michigan was missing its top two tight ends (Klein and Hansen), and they still went right at using the position. Marshall and Deakon Tonielli – who had barely played in his career – combined for 8 catches, 110 yards, and Marshall’s touchdown. Neither one looked out of place, and aside from one drop by Tonielli on a tough catch attempt where he was hit immediately, they showed good hands and, most importantly, covered up the ball when in traffic. I still remember going to a Penn State coaching clinic – and they’ve put out some good tight ends – where they talked about how much they emphasize tight ends putting two hands on the ball in traffic, because those guys are never going to outrun or out-athlete opponents, and they also tend to be big targets who leave a lot of room to rip at the ball. So kudos to Tonielli and Marshall for protecting the ball and being solid pass catchers.
I’m worried about the offensive line. Every team suffers some significant injuries throughout a season, and Michigan is no exception. Even in the national championship year, they lost Zak Zinter to a broken leg. But Michigan has now lost a couple key pieces, both of whom were expected to compete in a concerning battle for left tackle. Freshman Andrew Babalola went down for the year during the pre-season, and Evan Link suffered a non-contact injury against Washington. Initially I was concerned about a torn Achilles based on the way Link fell, but now word is that it’s a knee injury and it might not be an extremely significant (a.k.a. long term) injury. But now it seems that Michigan will be down to redshirt freshman Blake Frazier at left tackle, who will be backed up by guard Brady Norton. Norton himself has missed a few games due to injury, and so has left guard Giovanni El-Hadi. Meanwhile, starting right guard Jake Guarnera and starting right tackle Andrew Sprague are both redshirt freshmen, too, so now the Wolverines are starting three redshirt freshmen on the line. Yikes.
What’s the temperature on defensive coordinator Wink Martindale? Everyone was ready to fire Martindale after the performance against USC, and then Michigan did a number on Washington. Huskies quarterback Demond Williams, known for his running ability, managed -19 yards on 5 carries and finished 20/32 for 208 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions through the air. I was afraid of what Williams could do if he got loose, but Michigan’s linebackers and edges – and coaching staff – did a good job of accounting for him. They seemed to know who had contain, and they sometimes even overplayed the edge to keep him in the pocket. Early in the game, it seemed like the edge guys were being a little too aggressive in going after Williams. One of my big coaching points when I used to coach defensive line was not to get deeper than the QB when we faced athletic quarterbacks, and I think Michigan made that adjustment after the first couple drives. This defensive performance was roughly what we should expect from Michigan’s defense, and it should be even better when Michigan gets back safeties Rod Moore and Brandyn Hillman from injury. Brian from MGoBlog was very down on Martindale last week after the loss to USC and basically said Michigan should just ride out the season and then get rid of Martindale after the year, but I’m not ready to give up on him yet. The game plan against the Trojans was a poor one, but if the defense performs like they did against Washington for the remainder of the year, I don’t see him getting forced out.
Who needs to step it up? The coach I have been least impressed with over the past couple years is special teams coach J.B. Brown. I would not be surprised if Brown does not return next year. The special teams units have taken a step back from when Jay Harbaugh was in Ann Arbor back in 2023. Michigan doesn’t get returns like they used to, and aside from Dominic Zvada being an excellent place kicker in 2024, most every aspect of special teams has been a disappointment. Punter Hudson Hollenbeck isn’t doing well, Zvada has taken a step back, Semaj Morgan is an adventure as a punt returner, and Michigan isn’t generating blocked punts and kicks like they used to get. There was a time when Michigan was good for a blocked punt or two every year, and Michigan isn’t really even getting close right now. In general, I think the program is playing with one hand behind its back when it comes to special teams. I don’t see them creating plays or designs to give them advantages, and it’s a very basic, play-it-safe approach . . . except the punt returner, who doesn’t play it safe at all.
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