Big-picture takeaways for Michigan football after the first four games

Big-picture takeaways for Michigan football after the first four games.
Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) celebrates a touchdown against Central Michigan during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) celebrates a touchdown against Central Michigan during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
3 of 5

Justice Haynes has changed the upside of this team

Jordan Marshall looked really good against Nebraska. He looked like an All-Big Ten caliber back. Yet, through four games, Justice Haynes might be the best running back in college football.

It's hard to argue that anyone has been better. He hasn't just beaten up on weak teams either. Haynes had 75-yard touchdown runs aginst Nebraska and Oklahoma. He's got four runs of 50 yards or more, and is averaging 8.1 yards per attempt.

Haynes has been so productive that against Nebraska, with his 149-yard effort, he became the first Michigan football running back to start his U-M career with four straight 100-yard games.

Haynes is on pace for over 1,600 yards. Heck, he could even work his way into the Heisman conversation, at least he should, if he keeps running the ball the way he has.