The Michigan football team probably can't wait to get back on the field after a 24-13 loss to Oklahoma last Saturday that didn't represent the Wolverines very well.
This team has warts. But it's better than the Michigan team we saw last Saturday. With a freshman quarterback, there was always going to be growing pains, along with the chance to be much better at the end of the season, than at the beginning.
That's still the goal. Michigan didn't miss the playoff because of the loss. The Wolverines need to finish 10-2 with a win over Ohio State. Do that and this team will have a strong chance to make the 12-team playoff.
That's probably too high an aspiration after Week 2. We still have a lot to learn about the Wolverines, though, and here are three things Michigan football needs to accomplish this week beyond just winning the game as a 27.5-point favorite.
Let Bryce be Bryce
Michigan is smart to try and protect Bryce Underwood. Yet, there are better ways to do it than running the ball into stacked boxes repeatedly.
Underwood is a young quarterback. He's going to make mistakes. He's also going to make special plays, if the Wolverines will allow him to be a playmaker.
It makes sense to call plays like the 2021 team. Or it did. This offensive line isn't as good. Neither is the defense, the running game, or the punter for that matter.
Bryce Underwood will have to play well for Michigan to win its most important games. Oklahoma loaded the box. Instead of throwing on first down to loosen things up or at least attack where the defense was vulernable, Michigan kept trying to fit a round peg into a square hole.
Running the ball with Underwood would help but Michigan does have to be careful. What it really needs to do is open up the offense, and let Bryce be Bryce.
There will be good. There will be great and there will be bad. The results will be worth it.