It would be hard to blame any Michigan football fans who are still skeptical about the Wolverines' offense and just how good it will be this season.
Michigan struggled to move the ball against the most difficult teams on its schedule. The Wolverines scored 13 points against Oklahoma and USC, as well as just nine against Ohio State.
The offense looked better against Texas. Bryce Underwood looked better. He made some mistakes at the end, but that game was how the entire season should have looked. Michigan football should have allowed Underwood to fling it, while cutting him loose as a runner.
Regardless, it feels like this current coaching staff will allow Underwood to do just that. If Jason Beck calls plays like he did for Devon Dampier last season, the offense should be better just based on the ability of Underwood to run the ball.
Bryce averaged 30 rushing yards per game last season (218 total), but he could have easily averaged double that. Michigan doesn't need to be reckless, but it does need to be more aggressive this season.
With Beck calling the plays, that shouldn't be an issue, although head coach Kyle Whittingham is known for running the ball more than throwing it. Either way, the offensive line should be one of the best in college football.
The Wolverines have seven starters for five spots, sort of like in 2023. However, the biggest difference in this offense will come from the passing game.
Don't expect the Wolverines to start throwing 60 percent of the time. Whittingham is a ground-and-pound guy, which fits Michigan football perfectly. The running back room is as talented as any in college football, not just the Big Ten, at least in terms of the top two, and the receiver/tight end room might be the most underrated.
Andrew Marsh is well known. But some don't appreciate how good JJ Buchanan could be. He averaged 71 yards receiving in the last three games of last season, with a reception of at least 29 in each, and two of 59 or more.
Beyond Marsh and Buchanan, you have former top-100 recruit Jamie Ffrench, who transferred from Texas, as well as top-100 freshman Salesi Moa, and four-star signee Travis Johnson.
Buchanan is 6-foot-4, 205. Johnson is 6-foot-3. Ffrench and Marsh are both 6-foot. That's a deeper, more talented room than Underwood was working with last season.
The tight ends are solid, too. Hogan Hansen will need to deliver on his promise, but he's 100 percent, and is still a viable breakout candiate. Zach Marshall had 197 receiving yards last season. He's got a decent rapport with Underwood, so there are plenty of weapons.
The running game will be more explosive, too. Forcing defenses to defend the quarterback and account for him on zone-read plays and RPOs will make life easier for Michigan football running backs and for Underwood.
Those are all reasons for optimism. So is the fact that Michigan will have a better quarterback in 2026, a more seasoned Underwood, a better offensive line, more talent, and a better play-caller.
The offense will be improved. Yet, if all goes according to plan, it will be unrecognizable from that team that averaged less than 12 points per game in three regular-season losses.
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