The Michigan Wolverines football team had an identity crisis last season, and the unit struggled. From quarterback, offensive line, wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs, Michigan looked lost at times during the 2024 season. Sherrone Moore reloaded, revamped, and improved the offense, and last night they looked more explosive. There are some good and some bad from the season opener, as to be expected.
Bryce Underwood, the most hyped Michigan player, let alone quarterback in a while, took the field and had a nice first game. Underwood was 21-31, 251 yards 1 td. Some of the passes Underwood made were NFL caliber. At least twice, the young QB threaded the needle between defenders and hit his target. Underwood will only continue to get better. But a nice debut nonetheless.
Newcome portal transfer Justice Hayes had a solid effort leading the Michigan ground attack. Hayes was 16 carries, 159 yards, 9.9 average, 3 tds. Jordan Marshall played sparingly. Michigan will need him to be the hard yards guy as the season goes on.
The offensive line played well at times and lacked consistency at other times. This is a pretty easy fix. The unit pass protected well thought the duration of the game but had lapses during running plays. All and all, a ho-hum first game for a unit that needs to be consistent all four quarters.
The Michigan defense looked good at times and almost flat at other times. The unit had too many penalties, which again is fairly easy to clean up. With a trip to Oklahoma next Saturday, there is work to be done. If cleaned up, Michigan should feel good about itself when it heads to Norman.
