As Michigan enters its second bye week of the season following an uninspiring 21-16 victory over Purdue, the 7-2 Wolverines find themselves in a precarious position. While they are still very much alive for a spot in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, their flaws have become glaringly apparent. Head coach Sherrone Moore and his staff must use this bye week to address three key areas of concern: the passing offense's inconsistency, the red-zone efficiency, and the special teams' performance.

Improving the inconsistent passing offense

Despite having a generational talent in freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, Michigan's passing game has been inconsistent throughout the 2025 season. This was particularly evident in the recent win against Purdue, where Underwood threw for just 145 yards against a weak Boilermaker secondary. Earlier in the season, during a road loss to USC, the offense also faltered in crucial moments.

While Underwood has shown flashes of his elite potential, he and the receiving corps have struggled with consistency and execution. The receiving group, which is young and features transfer Donaven McCulley and a talented Andrew Marsh, lacks proven production. The bye week is a prime opportunity for the coaching staff to focus on fundamentals like ball security, catching the ball, and honing Underwood's mechanics. Addressing these issues is critical, especially with a difficult schedule ahead, including a crucial matchup with Ohio State.  So far this year Underwood has only thrown for 1,671 yards with a seven to three touchdown to interception ratio.  That must improve immensely over the last stretch of the season.

Improving red-zone efficiency

Michigan's offense has often struggled to finish drives, particularly in the red zone. Instead of converting touchdowns, the team has been forced to settle for field goals or, in critical situations, turn the ball over. Last game against Purdue Underwood looked as if he was on his way into the endzone, when he fumbled the ball through it, resulting in a touchback. In a close game against USC, this inability to finish drives was a significant factor in the loss. The bye week is an ideal time for the coaching staff to dedicate practice time to improving execution and creating more explosive plays inside the 20-yard line. This focus on execution will be paramount for beating upper echelon teams.

Recommitting to special teams

Special teams have also been a point of concern for the Wolverines. The Wolverines punt return unit is ranked 114th nationally in average return yards per attempt, averaging only 1.92 yards per return.  The primary issue has been the primary returner, Semaj Morgan, letting too many punts hit the ground, which results in lost yardage and missed opportunities. The coaching staff must work with the punt return unit to improve ball tracking and execution, as winning the field position battle will be critical in future games.  Even if they must experiment with another option, that may be what it takes to get things going in the right direction for special teams.

Looking ahead

Despite the recent struggles, Michigan's season is far from over. A berth in the College Football Playoff is still within reach if they can address these key weaknesses during the bye week. A strong run-blocking offensive line and a potent defensive line provide a solid foundation. However, the young and inconsistent passing offense and a struggling special teams’ unit could derail their playoff hopes.

The coaching staff has emphasized a return to fundamentals and focusing on player health during this break. Getting key players like Rod Moore back on defense, and star running back Justice Haynes will be crucial for their success in the end. The second half of the season presents both challenges and opportunities, and how the Wolverines respond after the bye will determine their fate.