College football fans are in for a treat this Saturday, September 20, as the No. 21 Michigan Wolverines travel to Lincoln to face the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a game featuring two of the sport's most highly anticipated young quarterbacks: Bryce Underwood and Dylan Raiola. Both arrived at their programs as five-star recruits with immense expectations, and this Week four matchup marks the Big Ten's most star-studded quarterback duel since 2019.
Both quarterbacks came out of high school as five-star recruits, however, Bryce Underwood won two state championships in high school with Belleville High School, in 2021 and 2022. He was a four-year starter and finished his high school career with a 50-4 record and two Division 1 state titles, which were the only state championships in the Belleville program's history. On the other hand, Dylan Raiola did not win a state championship in high school, but had a decorated and successful career across three different schools and states including Burleson Hs in Texas (8-4), Chandler HS in Arizona (9-3), and Buford HS in Georgia (11-2). Although Dylan never got a high school state championship, he was continuously playing at the highest level.
Raiola, a sophomore for the Cornhuskers, has shown significant improvement from his freshman year in 2024. He enters this game with impressive efficiency and production, completing 76.6% of his passes at 8.8 yards per attempt with eight touchdowns and no turnovers through three games.
Underwood, a true freshman for Michigan, is still finding his stride but showcased his potential last week against Central Michigan. He struggled in a Week 2 road loss at Oklahoma, but his dual-threat ability emerged in the win over Central Michigan, where he rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns in addition to his passing performance. Through three games, he has 628 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, alongside 108 rushing yards and two scores. His completion percentage stands at 57.5%.
Raiola has the experience edge and the home crowd at Memorial Stadium, but Underwood and the Wolverines are coming off a dominant performance and have already faced a challenging road environment at Oklahoma. Underwood, who was the top overall recruit in the 2025 class and notably flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan, brings athleticism and a strong arm to the field. Raiola, with a powerful arm and the ability to make a wide range of throws, is viewed as a pro-style quarterback with strong pocket presence.
The individual performances of these two quarterbacks will undoubtedly be a central focus of the game. However, it's also important to note the broader implications for the Big Ten. The conference has not historically been a hotbed for elite quarterback talent compared to the SEC, but this matchup highlights a potential shift in that trend. This game could be a statement win for either program and play a significant role in their respective seasons, especially as both teams look to make a run in the College Football Playoff race.