Michigan is fresh off a gritty road victory over the Cornhuskers, an impressive statement against a determined Matt Rhule–led squad. It wasn’t just another notch in the win column—it was the kind of hard-fought test every contender needs to prove its toughness away from home. As we enter the bye week for Michigan football, it’s a good time to peel back the curtains and figure out what we know about this team and what we are still trying to figure out. WHAT WE KNOW: 1. BARHAM AND THE DEFENSIVE LINE ARE THE REAL DEAL Starting off with the defensive line and Batman Barham. Yes, we know Biff Poggi crowned Bryce as Batman—but he also gave that nod to Jaishawn. And we all saw why Saturday versus the Huskers. Michigan’s defensive line was the difference in this game. They tallied seven sacks and allowed just 43 yards on the ground, with a 1.139 yard per rush average. Jaishawn Barham flashed his athleticism rushing off the edge and playing linebacker. He is rapidly jumping up mock draft boards for his ability to rush the passer and versatility at inside linebacker drawing comparisons to Abdul Carter of Penn State. And when Jaishawn is on, everyone is on—Derrick Moore had himself a day as well tying Barham with 6 pressures (sacks + hits + hurries) according to Pro Football Focus. Michigan’s rush defense finished with a win percentage of 45% on all pass rush snaps compared to Nebraska’s 15%-win percentage. Michigan also averaged a 41% pass rush productivity grade to Nebraska’s 13%. The takeaway? Michigan defensive front was in Dylan Raiola’s lap with almost every other rep. Michigan’s offensive line should also be happy with these comparative numbers. 2. DOAK WALKER OR JUSTICE HAYNES? This one is a little more obvious but still needs to be talked about. One thing about the Wolverines is they don’t miss at running back. Whether it is a down year or a national championship run, you can bet Michigan has an elite run game. This year has been nothing short of explosiveness and consistency at the running back position led by Justice Haynes. In just four games, Justice Haynes has exploded onto the national stage. He leads the Big Ten with 8.14 yards per carry (7 th nationally) and 537 rushing yards (3 rd nationally). He is third in the conference with six rushing touchdowns and leads the Big Ten with 134 yards per game, which ranks him third in the country as well. Michigan fans are no strangers to big runs, but rarely at this volume or frequency. Plenty of great running backs have worn the Maize and Blue, yet few—if any—have made an immediate impact like Justice Haynes. We have seen explosive postseason touchdown bursts from Donovan Edwards, but Haynes’ early and consistent production is on another level. He opened the season with runs of 56, 59, 70, and two of 75 yards, a clear reminder of why he was among the most coveted prospects in last year’s portal cycle. 3. BRYCE UNDERWOOD IS SPECIAL Calling this an understatement is putting it lightly. Bryce deserves attention—his swagger, composure, and veteran-like approach is flying far under the national radar. While his box score stats may not be the highlight of Monday morning sports talk, his command of the offense, ability to make safe yet challenging throws, dual-threat capability, and exceptional arm talent are reasons why Michigan fans celebrate him every week. Coming out of the Oklahoma game, fans were left puzzled by the usage and play design surrounding Underwood. The absence of quarterback-designed runs and an effective downfield passing attack left many of us scratching our heads. But against Central Michigan, it felt as if the coaches and Bryce himself heard the noise. They took the restraints off and let Bryce be Bryce. Having a quarterback who can make any throw or outrun a defensive back to the endzone is a rare luxury. Against Nebraska, Bryce was not asked to do much, which is probably a good sign for the offense. Big plays in the run game carried the load, but Bryce still flashed his brilliance. He went untouched for 32 yards on a quarterback draw to stretch the lead to ten in the first quarter. He also delivered a perfectly placed ball to Channing Goodwin in the end zone that unfortunately was dropped. Offensive chemistry is a lot like learning to dance—you are going to step on some toes, fall out of rhythm at times, and maybe even trip over yourself. Michigan fans should be encouraged by Chip Lindsey’s ability to adapt week to week with a freshman quarterback. For Bryce and this offense, it is all about consistency and repetition. As the stage grows bigger and the lights shine brighter, Bryce will undoubtedly be asked to do more. And just like dancing, Bryce and this offense will improve with every rep and every practice. WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT: 1. IDENTITY IN THE PASS GAME Just because you have a Ferrari doesn’t mean you know how to drive it—appropriately. This statement can be used to compare Bryce Underwood and Michigan’s vertical pass game. We’ve seen a growth in Bryce’s legs and usage in the run game since Oklahoma but as far as vertical pass attack versus top tier teams, it has yet to be put on full display. While a strong running back room is often a good sign for offensive success, Bryce’s passing numbers against Oklahoma and Nebraska tell a different story. He has combined for just 21 completions on 46 attempts (45%), 249 yards, and no passing touchdowns, with a QBR of 48.0 versus Oklahoma and 72.3 versus Nebraska. Some other notable passing stats highlight the challenges. Underwood’s passing efficiency ranks 15 th in the Big Ten, and his two total passing touchdowns are last in the conference, compared to Indiana’s 17, which lead the Big Ten. He currently ranks 12 th in the conference with 733 passing yards, 15 th in passing yards per game, and 10 th in the Big Ten with 12.6 yards per completion. Is this issue due to a lack of production from a true wide receiver number one? Probably. Does Bryce being a freshman with a limited number of reps factor in? Absolutely. Does an elite rushing attack give Michigan the flexibility to gradually find the right rotation and passing game plan? Sure. But as Big Ten play progresses, defenses get smarter, faster, and have more tape to study. That means Michigan’s passing attack will need to improve and adapt. With stingy run defenses like USC, Maryland, Washington, and Ohio State on the horizon, Michigan must find balance in the passing game and identify a dependable, every-down chain mover at wide receiver. Donovan McCulley has shown flashes—can he solidify himself and rightfully earn the #1 jersey? Time will tell. 2. IS MICHIGAN A GOOD SITUATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM? A good measuring stick for evaluating a team is how they perform in situational football—whether that’s third and fourth downs on both sides of the ball or looking at how discipline they are when it comes to penalties. So, are the Wolverines a strong situational football team? That question remains unanswered. Here’s a look at the numbers: Michigan’s offensive third down conversion rate sits at 42%, ranking 13 th in the Big Ten and 66 th nationally. Fourth downs tell a much tougher story. The Wolverines rank last in the Big Ten on fourth down conversions at just 25%, placing them 125 th nationally. Usually, it’s a good sign when a team’s offense and defense operate in unison—but that hasn’t always been the case for Michigan this season. Their defensive third down conversion rate sits at 33%, ranking them 13 th in the Big Ten and 69 th nationally. But Michigan’s fourth down defense tells a different story—they rank 5 th in the conference in opponent fourth down conversions. And Michigan has shown flashes of success on third downs. A prime example came on their final offensive drive against Nebraska: a 16 play, 8-minute-and-46-second march down the field. On that drive, Michigan converted three third downs of 5, 9, and 10 yards, demonstrating their potential to sustain drives when executing under pressure. Situational football isn’t just about third and fourth downs—it also comes down to penalties and discipline. Unfortunately, that has been an area of concern for Michigan this season. The Wolverines have committed 19 penalties so far, ranking 13 th in the Big Ten, and have accumulated 181 penalty yards, placing them 14 th in the conference for fewest penalty yards. Some of these mistakes have been costly. Against Nebraska, a taunting penalty in the fourth quarter gave the Cornhuskers a first down, leading to a score that cut Michigan’s lead to three points with just under two minutes remaining. 3. CAN MICHIGAN MAKE THE PLAYOFFS IN 2025? Short answer? Yes. Michigan football has the talent, coaching, and balance to make a legitimate run at the College Football Playoff in 2025. On offense, the Wolverines boast one of the nation’s most dynamic rushing attacks. Justice Haynes has already emerged as a national standout, putting up explosive runs of 56, 59, 70, and 75 yards (twice) in just four games. Pairing Haynes with a versatile offensive line and a dual-threat quarterback in Bryce Underwood gives Michigan the ability to control the tempo and make defenses account for both the pass and the run. If the Wolverines can build on their vertical passing attack, teams will have to respect both. Something we saw Oklahoma did not take very seriously—and rightfully so. Defensively, Michigan remains stout against both the run and the pass. While the team has had moments of inconsistency, the front seven has shown that they can generate pressure, and the secondary has shown the potential to limit explosive plays. Big-ten defenses will be challenged to keep up with a Michigan offense that dominates time of possession while staying opportunistic with turnovers. If Michigan can improve situational football—particularly on third and fourth downs— reduce penalties, and establish a reliable No. 1 receiver, they could show up November 29 th with only one loss and the chance to prove themselves as a legitimate 2025 playoff contender.
