The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1538670
SEPTEMBER 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 25 gone all-in with the portal, gone for the quick fix, or the quicker fix, and be pre- pared to take a bigger step forward this year," he noted. "I'm tempering my ex- pectations a little bit this year. In my opinion, it looks to me like a little more of a long play, rather than a 'I've got to win now' play. "The defense that played Alabama, if that's truly indicative of the way they are going to perform this year, and with the upgrades in talent, yeah, it could be a big step forward. But I guess I'm just going to have to see it on the field first." The entire college football world is waiting to see Bryce Underwood on the field. The 6-foot-4, 228-pound true freshman quarterback with the powerful arm and defense-defying legs will one day be great, most predict. But what will he be in Norman, Okla., in Week 2 of the season, if he gets that chance? What will he deliver in Lincoln against the Cornhuskers, or Los Angeles versus the Trojans? How will he hold up in rivalry games at East Lansing and against Ohio State? "There's a wild variability of possibili- ties in this coming season," Karsch in- sisted. "I think Michigan fans should be very enthusiastic about what is beyond even this year." In the meantime … "The freshman quarterback thing … are you going to have Trevor Lawrence results, or are you going to have the other end of the spectrum?" Karsch contin- ued. "I know people want it written in stone what this season is going to be, but how steep is the learning curve? Early in the year, how much is the kid prepared to handle that blitz on third-and-9 when they've got to have the first down late in the game? The margin between winning and losing — unless you're like the 2023 team — is a really thin line. "Even last year's team. You can go look at losses to Washington, at Indiana, at Illinois, and literally circle a play here or there that cost them those games. And how different would that look with a 10-2 regular season? It literally comes down to a play here or a play there. I don't think people should be panicked if there are typical freshman mistakes, and it leads to more losses than you're comfortable with." The future looks extremely bright, Karsch reckons. The immediate future writes itself, soon enough. "There's no question in my mind, you can try and turn it around quicker than he did," Karsch said. "They invested NIL money heavily in recruiting. They have seasoned the rest of the roster with smart transfer portal additions that helped fill voids. I think it's setting up to be a really, really nice run here. And if Bryce Under- wood can handle everything, then I think they can be a playoff team." DEFYING HISTORY Rick Leach and Chad Henne are with- out question two of the best QBs in Michigan football history, both of whom started four straight years. Neither beat the Buckeyes as a frosh, and Henne never did, despite a Big Ten championship in his rookie campaign of 2004. Leach went 7-for-20 passing with 3 interceptions in the Wolverines' crushing 21-14 come- from-ahead loss in Michigan Stadium in 1975. Henne went 27-for-54 with 328 yards and 2 touchdowns passing at Co- lumbus, but it still wasn't enough, a pair of interceptions and an OSU onslaught resulting in a 37-21 win for the home team. "Both those quarterbacks went on to really good careers," Karsch observed. "What's different now is, you might not win the conference, but you can still go to the College Football Playoff. That has increased the likelihood that you can keep the critics off your back without winning the conference. If they get this team into the College Football Playoff, given the makeup of their roster — and what it's going to look like the year after, and the year after that — it would be a resounding success." Michigan always demands more, of course. "Not up to Michigan standards, right?" Karsch mused. "I got it. Win the Big Ten, beat all your rivals, win the national championship, and if you don't do that, there will be some who are critical of you. But if this team makes the playoff, I think it is a huge step in the right direction." Karsch sees plenty he likes in Sher- rone Moore's program, from the por- tal to NIL with major financial invest- ments in Michigan football, to Moore's recent ban on flag planting after games to eliminate distractions. And if Under- wood starts and gets help from all those around him — particularly the offensive line — then who knows? In the mean- time, it's time to wait and see how soon the bright future arrives. ❑ SECOND-YEAR MICHIGAN HEAD COACHING RESULTS Here's a quick look at the past half-dozen Michigan football head coaches in their second year on the job, after a season to settle in. Jim Harbaugh (2016) — 10-3 overall, 7-2 Big Ten, third in the Big Ten East, No. 10 final ranking. Brady Hoke (2012) — 8-5 overall, 6-2 Big Ten, second in the Legends Division, not ranked. Rich Rodriguez (2009) — 5-7 overall, 1-7 Big Ten (tied for seventh), not ranked. Lloyd Carr (1996) — 8-4 overall, 5-3 Big Ten (tied for fifth), No. 20 final ranking. Gary Moeller (1991) — 10-2 overall, 8-0 Big Ten (first), No. 6 final ranking. Bo Schembechler (1970) — 9-1 overall, 6-1 Big Ten (tied for second), No. 7 final ranking. — John Borton Last year in his first campaign as the Wolverines' head coach, Moore beat USC, Ohio State and Alabama, a feat that had never been accomplished in the same sea- son in college football history. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL