Photos by: Aaron J. Thornton
After opening the season with a 3-0 record, Michigan is set to begin Big Ten play with plenty of positives to build on, and a few areas that still need improvement. The Wolverines have shown flashes of being a complete team, but the upcoming conference schedule will provide a much clearer picture of just how good this team is.
Here are some key takeaways from Michigan’s first three games:
The Defense Is Stellar
Michigan’s defense has been legitimately impressive through the first three weeks of the season, ranking just outside the nation’s top 10. The Wolverines are allowing just 13 points and 220 total yards per game, making the defense the primary force behind their undefeated start.
Michigan is also averaging 8.3 tackles for loss and three sacks per game, ranking ninth and 18th nationally, respectively, in those categories.
It is also important to consider the quality of competition. Michigan has already faced a ranked Oklahoma team and held the Sooners to just seven points. That performance provided an early indication that this defense has the potential to be one of the best units in the Big Ten, and perhaps the country.
Michigan’s Rushing Attack Has Underperformed
The Wolverines entered the season with high expectations for their rushing attack, particularly with the return of running back Jordan Marshall, who averaged approximately 85 rushing yards per game last season.
However, Marshall has yet to break off a run of more than 15 yards this season. Some of the struggles can be attributed to an offensive line that has received its share of scrutiny and has not consistently created running lanes. Even RB2, Freshman Savion Hiter, a highly rated five-star recruit for Michigan, has yet to produce a long run. Still, Hiter has shown flashes of potential while continuing to adjust to the college game and find his rhythm.
The encouraging news is that the running game appears to be improving each week.
Against a quality Oklahoma defense in Week 2, Michigan produced 152 rushing yards. Then, despite facing UTEP in Week 3, the Wolverines ran for 185 yards, with Hiter rushing for 62 yards and two touchdowns while Marshall added 59 yards and a touchdown.
Overall, however, Michigan’s rushing offense ranks 91st nationally, well below the level most expected entering the season.
Special Teams Has Been a Weapon, Especially the Punt Game
Michigan has consistently won the field position battle, thanks in large part to punter Cam Brown, who is averaging a respectable 44 yards per punt.
But Brown’s most impressive statistic is his ability to pin opponents deep. Eight of his 14 punts have landed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
His performance against Oklahoma was particularly impressive. Brown placed six of his seven punts inside the Sooners’ 20-yard line, including two that were downed at the 1-yard line.
The return game, however, needs to improve if the Wolverines hope to emerge as a legitimate contender for bigger accolades. Michigan is currently averaging just 21.7 yards per kickoff return and 4.8 yards per punt return.
Ball Security Is a Concern
Through the first three games, Michigan’s turnover margin sits at a disappointing minus two.
The Wolverines have fumbled six times and lost four of those fumbles, while also throwing one interception. Ball security is an area that could ultimately become a major problem if the mistakes continue.
Turnovers can dramatically alter the outcome of football games, and Michigan saw that firsthand against UTEP. The Miners turned two Michigan turnovers into points, scoring both of their touchdowns off Wolverine miscues.
Against tougher Big Ten competition, those mistakes could prove much more costly.
The Receivers Are Talented and Explosive
The combination of sophomore Andrew Marsh and transfer J.J. Buchanan has given Michigan a talented and increasingly dangerous receiving corps that arguably ranks in the top 10 in the country.
Through three games, the duo has combined for 30 receptions, 399 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Their performance against UTEP was particularly encouraging as Marsh caught 10 passes for 105 yards, while Buchanan added seven receptions for 92 yards. Together, they looked like the dynamic receiving duo Michigan fans can be excited about as the season progresses.
If the two continue to develop chemistry and improve their production, Michigan’s wide receiver group could emerge as a top 5 unit in the country by the end of the season.
Despite the Critics, Bryce Underwood’s Performance Has Been Solid
Second-year quarterback Bryce Underwood has indeed taken a step forward this season, although his statistical production has not yet reached the elite level many expected from the former No. 1 overall recruit.
Through three games, Underwood has completed 40 of 64 passes (62.5%) for 504 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
His ability as a runner has also provided Michigan with another dimension. Underwood has rushed for 152 yards on 33 carries, including 87 rushing yards against a competitive Oklahoma defense.
Overall, Underwood’s performance has been solid. However, if Michigan hopes to compete for a Big Ten championship and earn a College Football Playoff berth, the Wolverines will likely need more consistent production from him through the air.
His ability to make plays with his legs gives Michigan an important advantage, but the passing game will ultimately determine how far this offense can go against the Big Ten’s best defenses.
Big Ten Play Will Provide the Real Test
Michigan’s offense will face its biggest test of the young season this week when the Wolverines open Big Ten play at home against the No. 16 Iowa Hawkeyes.
Iowa enters the matchup with one of the nation’s stingiest defenses, allowing just 4.3 points and 176 total yards per game. The Hawkeyes are also holding opponents to just 2.2 yards per rushing attempt, which leads the nation.
This matchup should provide a much clearer indication of where Michigan stands.
The Wolverines have looked impressive in several areas through the first three games, particularly on defense and special teams. But the questions surrounding the rushing attack, ball security and passing game remain.
Now, with Big Ten play beginning, Michigan will have an opportunity to show whether it is truly ready to compete at the highest level or whether the victory over Oklahoma was simply an early-season outlier.
Either way, the matchup with Iowa should tell us a lot about just how good this Michigan team can be.