Michigan Wolverines news: NCAA appeal update, ESPN underrates Bryce Underwood, more

It's time for Michigan football and Michigan State to renew their rivalry. That game will take place Saturday night in East Lansing on NBC.

There has been a lot of talk about this matchup, and how the Wolverines can avoid what could be a trap game. Michigan is fresh off a big win. It. needs four more wins to have a chance to make the playoff going into the Ohio State and Michigan State looms as large as any game on the schedule.

We laid out our questions, predictions, and keys for Michigan State. There still isn't word on Justice Haynes, although things are pointing in the right direction.

Yet, some other news has come out this week that has nothing to do with MSU, although it relates to the NCAA sanctions relating to the Connor Stalions saga. When the NCAA handed out its punishment in August. It felt way over the top.

Michigan issued a statement that it was going to appeal. But now, the tune has changed. According to reporting from Chris Balas of The Wolverine, the Wolverines will no longer pursue an appeal. They will accept the penalties and move on.

As much as I wanted Michigan to fight it, it's hard to blame the university at this point.

Bryce Underwood ranked as third-best freshman QB by ESPN

Billy Tucker of ESPN posted an article ranking the top 15 freshmen so far this season. Michigan football quarterback Bryce Underwood is on the list, but he's behind two quarterbacks, Maryland's Malik Washington and BYU's Bear Bachmeier.

Both have played well but Michigan football fans, or anyone for that matter, would have to be clincially insane to want to trade Underwood for either. He's completing a higher percentage of passes than Washington, and is averaging eight yards per attempt compared to 6.4.

Washington has passed for 276 more yards. Bryce also more about 100 more rushing yards. Additionally, Washington has attempted 107 more passes. If, you go by an average yards per attempt, if Underwood had that many attempts, he would be well over 2,000 passing yards. He also has fewer interceptions and has flashed more talent.

Bachmeier has more rushing yards (359) than Underwood. He also has eight touchdowns, as well as nine touchdown passes. However, he's got five interceptions and plays in an inferior league. He's got more total touchdowns and averages 249 yards per game compared to 233 for Bryce. BYU and Maryland have played a softer schedule, too. Even then, the numbers for Bryce are very comparable.

So this ranking doesn't make sense. Underwood is the best freshman quarterback in the country, not just in terms of talent and potential, but in terms of actual production. Michigan football has held him back by being conservative, but even if you dive into the stats, Bryce has been just as good.

Underwood is averaging over 230 yards per game. He's completing 62.4 percent of his passes and has only thrown two interceptions. He's already elite at taking care of the ball. Everything else is coming along as it should.

More Michigan Wolverines basketball

In a matchup of top-10 teams, the Michigan basketball team will travel to Madison Square Garden to play St. John's tonight. The problem is that the game is at 7 PM EST on BTN+.

It's going to be hard to follow the Michigan State game, as well as the exhibition between St. John's and U-M. Aday Mara and Morez Johnson are expected to be out again.

Michigan basketball played Cincinnati in an exhibition last week and lost.