5 things we've learned from the first four weeks of Michigan's 2025 season

The potential for Bryce Underwood is through the roof. He can be the best quarterback in the country. It probably won't happen this year, but by the time he's done in Ann Arbor, he's likely going to be considered a top-five pick in the NFL Draft.

Despite that, he's struggled at times this year. We've seen it against Oklahoma and Nebraska. Now, he's certainly played better than his stat lines have indicated - his receivers have been credited with five drops in those games - but there's still some growth to be had.

This team will go as far as Underwood can take them. If he can continue to develop, which he should do during the course of Big 10 play, this offense can be very dangerous. And with the defense they have in Ann Arbor, a dangerous offense would make them one of the favorites for the Big 10 crown.

3. Justice Haynes is a Big 10 Player of the Year contender

Justice Haynes has been one of, if not the best, running backs in the country this season. He's logged 537 rushing yards (3rd in the country) and six touchdowns on just 66 carries (8.8 average). He's had over 100 yards and at least one touchdown in every game this year, and has ripped off three touchdowns of 50+ yards.

Obviously, the competition is going to get better as the season goes along, but it's hard to envision Haynes slowing down too much. He has an offensive line that has been great in the run game, and with a true freshman QB under center, Michigan is going to keep running the ball a lot. If he can keep this pace up, he should be the favorite to win Big 10 Player of the Year.

4. Pass rush is elite

Michigan's pass rush has been incredible to start the year, especially in their win over the Cornhuskers, where they recorded seven sacks by seven different players.

Through the first four weeks of the season, the Wolverines have recorded 54 pressures and 14 sacks, which ranks T-7th in the country. They're led by Jaishawn Barham and Derrick Moore, who have 3.0 and 1.5 sacks on the season, respectively, but they get contributions from a ton of guys.

If the Wolverines' pass rush can continue to play at this level for the remainder of the season, they can help mask some of their issues in the secondary (we'll talk about that shortly) and should give opposing quarterbacks problems, like they did with Raiola, all year long.

5. The secondary could still use some work

While we've talked very highly of the Michigan defense throughout this story, there is one critique: their secondary could still use some work.

If you throw the CMU and New Mexico games out the window, the Wolverines' secondary has given up 578 passing yards and four passing touchdowns while picking off one pass against Oklahoma and Nebraska. They do get a bit of a pass with guys like Zeke Berry and Rod Moore missing time with injuries, but they still need to be much better against the pass with Big 10 play ramping up.

If the Wolverines' secondary can step it up, their pass rush and run defense are good enough that this defense could be one of the best units in the Big 10.

More From Michigan On SI:

• Michigan slips in ESPN's FPI despite win over Nebraska
• How Michigan's big win over Nebraska affected its AP Top 25 ranking
• National analyst has bold take on Sherrone Moore, Bryce Underwood
• Stock Report: Run game explodes in big win over Nebraska
• Justice Haynes extends incredible streak to four games