Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545675
9 4 A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Michigan hasn't been back to the Col- lege Football Playoff since winning the national championship in 2023, and it isn't any secret what's been missing. The Wolverines haven't gotten the kind of consistent quarterback play they've needed in order to take maximum advan- tage of a dangerous running game and stout defense. In 2024, Michigan alternated between three signal-callers, none of whom were ready to step into the shoes of J.J. Mc- Carthy. Last year, they went all-in on five-star freshman Bryce Underwood, knowing that there would be some early ups and downs but figuring the payoff would come in Years 2, 3 and 4 (if there was a Year 4). Year 2 has arrived, and Underwood is the biggest variable on a team that otherwise looks to have what it needs to earn a playoff berth. The 6-foot-4, 228-pounder flashed his potential as a freshman but struggled in Michigan's four losses. Against Oklahoma, USC, Ohio State and Texas, he completed 50.9 per- cent of his attempts, with more intercep- tions (5) than touchdown passes (4). There's been speculation that Michi- gan's new coaching staff will look to make better use of Underwood's mobility af- ter a debut season in which he rushed for 392 yards and 6 touchdowns. At the very least, he'll undoubtedly benefit from the tighter ship that Kyle Whittingham and his staff have been running in Ann Ar- bor ever since Sherrone Moore's shocking downfall last December. Underwood will also benefit from the emergence of Andrew Marsh as the leader of the receiver corps. Marsh had 45 catches for 651 yards as a freshman, filling a void that contributed mightily to the Wolverines' struggles in 2024. Michigan should also have one of the best backfields in the country, with ju- nior Jordan Marshall back after amassing 938 yards and 10 touchdowns in 11 games last year. The Wolverines lost Marshall's running mate when Justice Haynes trans- ferred to Georgia Tech, but that move just opened up a spot near the top of the depth chart for five-star freshman Savion Hiter, the No. 1 running back in the 2026 class, per the Rivals Industry Ranking. Whit- tingham has already said Hiter will be an immediate contributor. On defense, there are some ques- tions in the front seven, but nothing that looks insurmountable. The Wolverines' outlook will depend in large part on the health of two key players: senior defen- sive end John Henry Daley and graduate safety Rod Moore. Daley followed Whittingham to Ann Arbor from Utah. He was a first-team Walter Camp All-American last year after totaling 11.5 sacks in 11 games, but his season ended with an Achillies injury against Kansas State on Nov. 22. Michigan is banking on a full recovery. Moore missed the 2024 season with an ACL injury and played only three games last fall due to lingering knee problems. The two-time team captain said recently he's feeling healthy, an encouraging sign for what should be another tough U-M defense. The biggest impediment to Michigan's playoff aspirations might be the schedule. The Wolverines will face four opponents that made last year's CFP field — Okla- homa, Indiana, Oregon and Ohio State, with the games against the Ducks and Buckeyes taking place on the road in the final three weeks of the season. Throw in a rivalry game against Michigan State on Nov. 7, and the November slate looks bru- tal. The Wolverines will need Underwood to be at his best if they hope to prevail in Eugene and/or Columbus. — Matt Herb O C T . 1 7 | T I M E T B D | T V T B D | M I C H I G A N S T A D I U M | A N N A R B O R , M I C H . GAME 7 MICHIGAN RISING STAR JAKE GUARNERA | C Guarnera started 10 games at right guard last fall and won honorable men- tion All-Big Ten notice. The 6-foot-4, 311-pound junior has moved to center, where he will anchor what is expected to be an improved Michigan offensive front. QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: Michigan leads, 17-10 Head Coach: Kyle Whittingham (first sea- son; career coaching record: 177-88) 2025 Record: 9-4, 7-2 Big Ten Returning Starters: 10 (7 offense, 3 de- fense) RETURNING LEADERS Rushing: RB Jordan Marshall (932 yards, 10 TD) Passing: QB Bryce Underwood (2,428 yards, 11 TD) Receiving: WR Andrew Marsh (651 yards, 4 TD) Tackles: CB Jyaire Hill (36) Sacks: CB Jyaire Hill, LB Troy Bowles, DE Dominic Nichols (1) Interceptions: CB Jyaire Hill, CB Zeke Berry, S Rod Moore, S Jacob Oden (1) Bryce Underwood threw for 2,428 yards and 11 touch- downs during his freshman season with the Wolverines. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL 2026 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2025 Result Sept. 5 Western Michigan — Sept. 12 Oklahoma L, 24-13 Sept. 19 UTEP — Sept. 26 Iowa — Oct. 3 at Minnesota — Oct. 17 Penn State — Oct. 24 Indiana — Oct. 31 at Rutgers — Nov. 7 Michigan State W, 31-20 Nov. 14 at Oregon — Nov. 21 UCLA — Nov. 28 at Ohio State L, 27-9