The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545685
38 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2026 FOOTBALL PREVIEW attack, and offensive line to make a run at the playoff. If Underwood makes a big jump as a passer and gets a little more help from the supporting cast at receiver, then double-digit wins and a playoff spot are all within reach. Jason Beck engineered a productive offense at Utah in 2025. What does he bring to Michigan? Bender: Utah jumped from 102nd to fourth in scoring offense with Beck last season. The Utes ranked second in the FBS in rushing offense at 266.3 yards per game — which fits into the core of Michigan's of- fense since the Bo Schembechler era. Utah quarterbacks combined for 27 TDs and 5 interceptions last season. Michigan QBs have 23 TDs and 23 interceptions the last two seasons. The pass offense has been embarrassing in spots — and Beck should be able to tweak that, too. Michigan should be able to play better complementary foot- ball if Underwood continues that develop- mental arc. Fornelli: It'll be interesting to see what adjustments Beck makes because I assume he won't use Underwood as a rusher the same way he did with Devon Dampier at both Utah and New Mexico. We'll likely see Underwood use his legs more than last year, but only to a point. I suspect the biggest change for Michigan fans to adjust to will be that, after years of efficient, bludgeon- ing offenses, this will be a scheme hunting big plays. Lassan: Whittingham didn't have a ton of staff turnover during his time at Utah, but he needed an improved offense prior to '25 and went out and hired Beck from New Mexico. The familiarity Whittingham and Beck established in one season with the Utes should pay big-time dividends at Michigan to allow this program to hit the ground running. Beck runs a physical offense that Whittingham likes and has no trouble deploying the quarterback as a runner. The personnel in place — namely a strong offensive line and talented back- field — should suit Beck's strengths as a play-caller. Another asset of Beck's offenses has been productivity. Utah ranked first in the Big 12 in total offense last year, while his '24 attack at New Mexico also led the Moun- tain West. It also doesn't hurt that Beck is a former quarterback who can relate to and teach a younger player like Underwood. He also had a knack for finding ways to deploy or use different playmakers to the best of their abilities at New Mexico and Utah. What are your expectations for the Michigan offense? Bender: [Junior] Jordan Marshall and [former U-M running back] Justice Haynes combined for 1,789 rushing yards and 20 TDs last season. Marshall and five-star freshman Savion Hiter might not match those numbers, but it could be a committee of sorts depending on how much Under- wood is involved in the running game. It should get better as the season progresses. Can [sophomore] Texas transfer Jaime Ffrench emerge as a reliable target opposite [sophomore] Andrew Marsh? The offensive line should be solid, too. The Wolverines had 37 turnovers the last two seasons. Utah had 6 last season. That area needs to see significant improvement in 2026. Fornelli: It will be more explosive and score more than it did last year, that I'm confident about. How much more it scores will depend largely on growth from Under- wood, as well as Andrew Marsh, whom I am extremely high on. Lassan: Michigan's offense holds the key to its '26 season. Underwood's devel- opment is the biggest X-factor, but Beck and Whittingham have to get better play College Football Experts' 2026 Predictions Expert Michigan Record Big Ten Champion National Champion Breakout Team Bill Bender 9-3 Indiana Indiana Louisville Tom Fornelli 9-3 Ohio State Georgia Florida Steven Lassan 9-3 Ohio State Ohio State Florida Sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood and junior running back Jordan Marshall will be the cen- ter of attention, but our panel college football analysts expects U-M to open up the offense while hunting big plays in the passing game. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL