As the college football world turns its gaze toward preseason camp, the Michigan Wolverines are quietly building a case as one of 2025’s most dangerous and underappreciated teams. With a reenergized roster under head coach Sherrone Moore and a breakout young quarterback, the Wolverines are positioned to terrify their competition in the Big Ten and beyond.
Michigan’s offseason has been shaped by a strong youth movement, highlighted by standout performances in summer conditioning sessions. Among the names drawing the highest praise is five-star freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood. According to a recent report from ON3 Sports that includes comments by new strength and conditioning director Justin Tress, Underwood is not only working relentlessly in the weight room and during drills but is also preparing himself to be the potential day-one starting quarterback for the Wolverines.
Tress singled out Underwood alongside some promising young linemen, a noteworthy endorsement. Tress’s comments are insightful considering that summer workouts occur primarily with the strength staff and not position coaches. Simply put, Tress and his team are the only coaches interacting with Underwood currently. They have the “latest and greatest” on this young star. And this comments continue to support that Underwood will be ready to lead this next generation Michigan offense with a much improved passing attack.
On that note, Michigan’s most glaring issue in 2024 was a lackluster passing offense. To be blunt (and accurate), it was horrible for most of the season. Somehow, the Wolverines defied the odds by securing eight wins with a passing grade in the mid-50s, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). No other Big Ten team so dramatically outperformed its passing efficiency in the win column.
Data presented in the below scatter plot makes the point clear. The dots are different Big 10 teams in 2024 showing the relationship between wins and passing grade (Michigan’s dot is noted by the red arrow). It is obvious that Michigan’s performance in the win-loss column was extraordinary considering the anemic nature of it’s passing offense.
With even a modest improvement to baseline competency in the passing game (grading out in the 70s) Michigan could see its win total climb to 11 or more. And if Underwood proves to be a special talent at quarterback, the possibilities for a playoff run surge even higher.
Michigan’s defense has been a top-six unit nationally, boasting a staggering 93 overall defensive grade last season (per PFF). This unit, coordinated by staff inherited and stabilized from the Harbaugh era, is expected to remain the backbone of the team. If the offense upgrades from last year’s 99th national ranking there is reason to think Michigan will get back to playoff contention.
Underwood is obviously going to play an outsized role in that effort. Fortunately, he’s living up to high expectations early. He’s impressing Michigan’s staff and teammates alike with his work ethic and performance in the summer program. This is providing confidence that he’s up to the pressure that comes with being Michigan’s starting quarterback as a true freshman.
Michigan’s 2025 schedule gives Underwood a genuine proving ground early. After a home opener against New Mexico, the Wolverines travel to Oklahoma, a clear opportunity for the young signal caller to make a statement. Tough away games at Nebraska and USC loom as further tests. If Underwood is ready to deliver competent quarterback play out of the gate, Michigan has a real shot to rack up early wins and reestablish itself as a Big Ten powerhouse.
Despite some in the college football world sleeping on Michigan after last year’s ugly passing performances, the Big 10 should be warned against underestimating the Wolverines. If the quarterback situation stabilizes and the offense regresses to the mean (improves to national-average passing efficiency), there is legitimate reason to believe Michigan could return to the Big Ten title and playoff picture.
Disclaimer: The content of this article was originally published as a YouTube video on the SMI College Football Show YouTube channel. With AI assistance, the publisher of the video created this article based on the content of that video.
