Even though Michigan football has a 2-0 record, there are plenty of things to be concerned about after two weeks of the 2026 season.
Some fans might put the play of Bryce Underwood near the top of the list. Underwood struggled against Western Michigan, but bounced back with 198 total yards, one touchdown, and zero turnovers against Oklahoma.
The Wolverines can't keep scoring 15 points per game, though. The passing game needs to get going. One thing that could help open it up more is if Michigan can establish the run.
The lack of a running game is Michigan's biggest red flag
Michigan was able to run for 152 yards against Oklahoma. That was an improvement, although much of it was Underwood running the ball 17 times for 87 yards.
Western Michigan held the Wolverines to 106 rushing yards. So, through two games, Michigan is averaging just 129. That's alarming, to say the least.
In the first game, Underwood missed some reads. There were also some miscommunications with freshman Savion Hiter in the backfield. Hiter gripped the ball too hard at times when Bryce was trying to pull, like on one third down in the fourth quarter that led to about a five-yard loss instead of a first down.
The running backs haven't been perfect. Jordan Marshall has missed some reads. The blocking also hasn't been great. It was better this week, but this doesn't look anything like the 2023 Michigan football offensive line.
Regardless, Marshall's production has fallen off a cliff. He's got just 76 yards on 22 carries (3.5 average). What's even worse is that Savion Hiter has 13 carries for 21 yards. The five-star freshman has four receptions for 40 yards, but the numbers have been putrid so far for Michigan's vaunted running backs.
Playing two good defenses is part of it. UTEP is also respectable against the run, allowing 3.5 yards per attempt during the first two games. Michigan should be able to establish the line of scrimmage in a way it wasn't able to against Oklahoma or Western Michigan.
The Wolverines did have a much better effort last Saturday. This week, Michigan should be able to establish the running game as the focal point of the offense, without Underwood carrying the ball 17 times.
If not, the Wolverines will really have something to worry about as Big Ten play is set to begin Sept. 26.
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