By Micheal Germanese
ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Despite the rainy and cold start to the day on Saturday fans came out to see what to expect when the Michigan Wolverines kickoff the season opener on Aug. 30 against New Mexico. The turnout looked to be a lot better than the previous two spring games and there was a lot of hype surrounding this team. The reason, QB Bryce Underwood of the blue team was a top prospect from a year ago. Michigan’s biggest problem in 2024 was a play from the QB position and fans and media got an early chance to see if he is the answer to the problem.
The spring game should have given fans a basic sense of what Team 146 might look like in 2025. Like last season, most of the question marks are centered around the offense. New offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey was brought in to fix an offense that was stagnant a year ago.
In a game like this where both the Maize and Blue teams are made up of starters it’s hard to decipher just what you’re going to get come fall.
Here are the takeaways from the Maize and Blue spring game.
Rough Start at QB
The fans got what they wanted with Underwood getting the ball first. But it wasn’t the first half any of the fans wanted to see when it came to offense. Both quarterbacks struggled to throw the ball downfield. Underwood finished the first half 7-of-7 with an interception and zero touchdowns. Jadyn Davis was no better going 3-of-4 and like Underwood struggled to throw the ball downfield.
The second half looked about the same as Davis started the half with a second-half interception. In the fourth quarter, Underwood missed a wide-open Channing Goodwin in the end zone. Underwood had time to step up and make an accurate throw but still overthrew Goodwin. On the last play of the game Underwood found the end zone for his first passing TD in the Big House.
Wide Receivers
Coming out of the spring game the wide receivers gave many a very similar feeling to 2024. As fans walked out of the Big House they were left underwhelmed after seeing the wide receivers not being able to find an opening. In the defense of the offense, this is a watered-down gameplan that makes it easy for a defense to defend. But WRs finding separation looks like it could be a problem again. The Michigan QBs couldn’t push the ball downfield but the WRs didn’t help them out by getting room between them and the defense backs.
The bright side is Goodwin did look to have some chemistry already building with Underwood. Goodwin was able to create separation and found himself wide open in the end zone, only for Underwood to overthrow him. With the size Michigan has in guys like Jarmar Browder (6-foot-5) and Marlin Klein (6-foot-6) it was surprising Michigan didn’t try more 50/50 balls to see who would come down with it.
Possible Portal Acquisition
After watching the spring game it would be no surprise if Michigan targeted another QB to bring in. During the postgame news conference head coach Sherrone Moore updated the health status of Mikey Keene and Davis Warren. According to Moore, they're moving in the right direction but adding another QB could be added security to a young position group.
Michigan's secondary looks ok, but this was a very watered-down game plan. The only big play they gave up was on the final one of the game. Look for Michigan to add veteran talent to go along with the young players already in the program.
Michigan needs to go out and get someone who can play the opposite of Donaven McCulley at wide receiver. If Michigan is going to exceed expectations in 2025, they're going to have to find a way to push the ball downfield with some kind of competency.
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