After navigating a tough opening stretch including a Week 2 loss to Oklahoma, Michigan football enters their first bye week of the 2025 season with a 3-1 record (1-0 Big Ten) following a 30-27 victory over Nebraska on Saturday night. While the Wolverines have shown resilience, particularly in close games, this bye week presents a crucial opportunity to address key areas for improvement before a challenging schedule resumes.

1. Elevate the Passing Game/Bryce Underwood’s Legs

The Michigan offense, while showcasing a strong running attack led by Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall, has struggled with consistency in the passing game. True freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, despite flashes of potential, has struggled finding a consistent rhythm. He and the receiving corps need to get on the same page. The Wolverines currently rank 102nd nationally in passing yards per game, averaging 183.3 yards.

In their week four win over Nebraska, Michigan struggled with some dropped passes. Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey and coach Sherrone Moore need to maximize the bye week to refine the timing and chemistry between Underwood and his targets, incorporating more downfield shots and play-action to complement the potent run game.  Not only that, but Underwood’s legs also have proven to be a lethal threat, and something Michigan must continue to incorporate if they want to squeeze every bit of juice out of this offense.

2. Bolster the Offensive Line's Pass Protection

While the offensive line has demonstrated strong run-blocking, pass protection remains a concern. Michigan's offensive line has been considered a work in progress through the first four weeks of the season. The unit struggled against Oklahoma's pass rush in Week two, allowing considerable pressure on Underwood.  This seemed to be cleaned up against CMU as well as Nebraska.  

The bye week is a vital opportunity for coach Moore, who is serving a suspension during games but can participate in practices and meetings during the bye week, to continue working directly with the offensive line, particularly in pass protection techniques. Refining blocking schemes and improving individual technique will be crucial, especially with a challenging schedule featuring tough defensive lines like those at Michigan State, USC, and Ohio State ahead.

3. Refine Special Teams/Coverage Units

Though Michigan's special teams haven't been highlighted as a major weakness, improvement in coverage units is one of the other details that need some attention. Special teams often become crucial in tightly contested matchups, and securing favorable field position through excellent coverage can be a game-changer. The bye week provides time to drill fundamentals, work on tackling in space, and ensure all players understand their responsibilities within the coverage schemes.

This bye week is not just for rest and rejuvenation but is a critical juncture for the Wolverines to make corrections, focus on fundamentals, and address these areas to ensure they are firing on all cylinders as they move deeper into their 2025 campaign.  Michigan needs to find their “guy” when it comes to punt returning.  Thus far no one has really made a splash as a returner, which could be critical in field position in tightly contested games.  Semaj Morgan has been the player to handle most of the returning duties; therefore, this week Michigan needs to work on blocking protections on punt returns, maybe even throwing a trick play on return in there for a rainy day.