It was frustrating to watch Michigan football, at least for a half on Saturday, as the Wolverines played with their food a little too much against Wisconsin.
The Badgers' offense is one of the worst in college football. Yet, Michigan football allowed an opening-drive touchdown. Then, the Wolverines sputtered before unleashing Bryce Underwood and the passing attack in the second half.
It led to a touchdown pass to Donaven McCulley, which broke open a one-score game, making it 17-7 in favor of U-M. Michigan missed a short field goal on one drive in the third quarter, adding to the frustration, but Justice Haynes capped another drive with a touchdown, his second rushing score of the day, as the Wolverines built a 24-7 lead.
The defense dominated after the first series, for the most part. Michigan, even against the best rush defense in college football (50 yards allowed per game coming in), ran for 175 yards.
The passing game finally woke up, too. Dudes started catching the ball, and Michigan stopped wasting first downs on runs up the middle. That changed the game, as did spreading things out a bit.
It wasn't perfect offensively. Yet, the Wolverines felt sluggish and still had 445 yards of total offense. Underwood completed 19-of-28 attempts for 270 yards and a touchdown. He didn't do a ton on the ground, but he also didn't need to. Most importantly, he didn't have a turnover. Underwood has just two in five starts.
Michigan football could have been sharper. Without the dropped passes, the missed field goal, and the fumbled snap on fourth down, this would have been a blowout.
Even so, a win is a win. 4-1 is 4-1. Here are the gut reactions from Michigan's 24-10 win over Wisconsin.
The offense was too conservative in the first half
Wisconsin has the best run defense, statisically in college football. The Badgers also have a terrible pass defense, so naturally, Michigan attempted just nine passes in the first half. Bryce Underwood had just 55 yards passing.
Justice Haynes had a big run, which led to a touchdown, but Michigan wasted way too many opportunities by playing it close to the vest, instead of attacking Wisconsin's biggest weakness, with one of its most talented players in Bryce Underwood.
The offensive line has to be better
One reason the coaching staff might not have opened things up as much were the struggles of the offensive line. Pass protection was an issue. Andrew Sprague really struggled. The drop-back passing game was having a hard time due to protection issues, which has to get cleared up before USC.
The run blocking wasn't anything to write home about either. Most of the yards came on two chunk plays. Rushing for over 100 against Wisconsin is an achievement, but I expected more out of the offensive line than what we got on Saturday.
Justice Haynes for Heisman
Haynes carried the ball 19 times for 117 yards and scored two touchdowns against the best run defense in college football. He had two explosive runs and became the first Wolverine to start his career with five consecutive 100-yard rushing games.
The Heisman Trophy has turned into a quarterback award, but Haynes deserves some consideration.
Defense did the job
Michigan forced just one takeaway. Yet, the Wolverines held Wisconsin to 252 yards of total offense. The Badgers only had 75 yards rushing. Derrick Moore had the only sack, but it essentially sealed the game, and of course, the one turnover was an interception by Rod Moore -- a sight for sore eyes -- after he missed the 2024 season with an injury.
It wasn't a perfect performance but it was good enough to win with ease. However, the defense will need to play better if Michigan is going to leave Los Angeles with a win next week, especially up front.