It was a slow start, but the Michigan passing game has really started to open up for the Wolverines. Even in the loss to Iowa, Bryce Underwood threw for a season-high 276 passing yards, with both Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan reaching over 100 receiving yards each.
Buchanan and Marsh have easily been Underwood's favorite targets this season, with the Utah transfer leading in receiving in three of Michigan's four games this season. Buchanan leads Michigan with 396 receiving yards on 20 receptions and four touchdowns. Marsh actually has more receptions with 22, but only 239 yards and one touchdown. The only other receiver to catch a touchdown this season is Salesi Moa, and that came from backup QB Tommy Carr.
When it comes to the rest of the receivers for Michigan, even running backs Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter have more receiving yards in four games. WR coach Micah Simon knows that getting other guys involved is a need for Michigan, but understands that with how Marsh and Buchanan are playing, they can't come off the field.
#Michigan WR coach Micah Simon says he’s got a battle in his head on playing others more because guys have earned snaps, but admits it’s tough to take JJ Buchanan and Andrew Marsh off the field with how they’ve been playing. pic.twitter.com/D5QLoh6Kah
— Brice Marich (@BriceMarich) September 30, 2026
Micah Simon will need someone to step up for the Wolverines if Andrew Marsh is out vs. Minnesota
Before the Iowa game, head coach Kyle Whittingham said that there is still a WR3 battle going on between Salesi Moa, Channing Goodwin, and Kendrick Bell. Honestly, it is hard to believe there is a WR3 on the field when the ball tends to find Marsh and Buchanan so often.
Someone else might have to step up against Minnesota, Michigan's first away game this season. On Thursday's Big Ten Availability Report, Marsh was listed as questionable after not being mentioned in Whittingham's injury update on Monday. So either something happened in practice, or Marsh is dealing with a lingering issue that is bad enough to be listed as questionable.
Now, questionable isn't out, which means Marsh still has a chance to play against Minnesota, especially not knowing exactly what the injury is. However, even if he does go, he probably won't be 100%, and that could affect his level of play.
So, if Marsh isn't at 100%, or even does end up missing the Minnesota game, who will step up for the Wolverines? Well, that WR3 spot is crucial in a situation like this, and of those three players Whittingham listed in the battle, Moa has the most receptions and yards, with two catches for 23 yards. That isn't a lot, but neither Goodwin nor Bell has yet to record a reception this season.
There is also freshman Travis Johnson, who was gaining a lot of hype during fall camp, but has been quiet this season with only one reception for 10 yards. Simon makes a good point about needing some other guys to step up, especially in situations like this.
If Marsh can't go this weekend, it will probably still be the Buchanan show, but Underwood needs to start to build that connection with some other receivers before teams figure out how to take both Marsh and Buchanan away.
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