After watching an offense that one analyst suggested looked like it was from "1927" in the loss to Oklahoma, it was hard to know what to expect from Michigan football on Saturday against Central Michigan.
Sherrone Moore may not have been on the sidelines, but what we saw on the field, the unleashing of Bryce Underwood, was his idea, according to interim head coach Biff Poggi.
Poggi, once the right-hand man of Jim Harbaugh, now the right-hand man of Moore, and formerly the head coach of Charlotte, was the right man for the interim head-coaching job. He called Bryce Underwood, "Batman," and said that the buttoned-down approach we saw against Oklahoma would be a thing of the past.
Saturday's result was one game against a Central Michigan team that won four games a season ago. Michigan football did what it was supposed to do in the 63-3 win, and here are five things we learned.
Bryce Underwood is Michigan's best player
There was never really a doubt about this. The issue was clearly with the staff putting the handcuffs on Underwood.
They were taken off on Saturday, and it was a sight to see. The five-star quarterback looked like a five-star. Whether it was one of his 20-yard runs, or the last touchdown run, which was 18, where he juked out a few defenders on his way to the end zone -- or the touchdown pass to Semaj Morgan, Underwood was doing it all.
The freshman finished with three touchdowns, two of them rushing. With Max Bredeson leading the way, Underwood scored his first rushing touchdown to put Michigan football ahead of 21-0.
There was one mistake -- the deep ball down the field. But Michigan fans will live with those, and the coaches should, too, because the "wow" factor is real.
Underwood accounted for 349 total yards. He rushed for 114 yards and was the first quarterback since Devin Gardner to have a 100-yard game on the ground.
Things will be more challenging for Underwood against Nebraska. Yet, it was clear that he's the Wolverines best player. It's time to lean into it, like Michigan did Saturday.
The offensive line is still a concern
As great as it was to see Underwood do this thing on Saturday, the offensive line is still a concern. Michigan football rushed for over 300 yards. Underwood was the leading rusher but Justice Haynes also went over 100 yards for the third straight game.
The Wolverines had a tough time just running the ball early in the game. Underwood, using his arm and his legs, helped set it up.
You'd like to see the offensive line moving more guys off the ball against Central Michigan. Nebraska's defensive line isn't elite. All three starting running backs they have faced have averaged more than five yards per rushing attempt.
It would help if Giovanni El-Hadi and Brady Norton returned to the lineup, but the offensive line is still a concern, despite Michigan totaling over 600 yards of offense.
Underwood's movement skills helped, though. And activating him as part of the running game will at least do the offensive line the favor of giving them one less defender to block.
Semaj Morgan is more than a gadget player
After five receptions for 50 yards in the first two games of the season, Morgan had one of the best performances of his career against Central Michigan.
Morgan hauled in a dime on the sideline from Underwood, where he pulled off a perfect toe-tap to get two feet down. Soon after, Morgan hauld in a 32-yard touchdown reception.
Through three games, Morgan has 11 receptions for 112 yards. They aren't huge numbers but after watching him get used as just a screen or end-around player last season, it was good to see him get utilized as an actual wide receiver.
Morgan flashed that ability as a freshman with J.J. McCarthy. With the right quarterback, Morgan, one of the most explosive players on the roster, is a weapon. He does need to work on his punt-return fundamentals, but unlocking him is a big win for this offense.
Jaishawn Barham needs more time at EDGE
The plan was always to have Jaishawn Barham play more on the EDGE this season. He's clearly got natural ability as a pass rusher. He's a great blitzer, but as of right now, he might be the best pure pass rusher on the roster.
Derrick Moore hasn't lived up to expectations yet this season. TJ Guy didn't play on Saturday and it's clear that the pass rush needed some juice. Barham left the game later, but Poggi confirmed that he was fine.
Another thing that's clear is that Cole Sullivan needs to be on the field as much as possible. He's around the ball constantly and a defense with Barham at EDGE, and Sullivan on the field at linebacker, is just a better defense.
Barham helped set the tone with an early earth-shattering sack. That's the kind of play that will be needed to beat Nebraska next week. When both Sullivan and Barham are on the field, there's a better chance of that happening.
Special teams have to be better
One of the most overlooked factors during Michigan's three-year run as Big Ten champions, or even the wins at the end of last season, was the impact of special teams.
Dominic Zvada, after missing just two field goals all last season, has missed inside of 50 yards in consecutive weeks. That's somewhat concerning.
The punting has been an issue, too. Punt returns have been an adventure, too. Morgan still seems to have trouble tracking the ball. It's been an issue since his freshman season when he muffed a punt in the Rose Bowl. He's done it this season, and it's only a matter of time before it happens again in a big game.
Andrew Marsh has fumbled on a kickoff return, too. There is plenty of time to clean things up, however, special teams look like a liability, which isn't what was expected before the season.