Michigan Wolverines' surprise breakout star could set Bryce Underwood and Sherrone Moore up for success following Wisconsin win

The Michigan Wolverines were in desperate need of breakout stars at the wide receiver position coming into the Wisconsin game. Zero pass catchers were averaging even 50 yards per game. The team had 11 drops on just 98 intended targets. It was embarrassing. Then Saturday's 24-10 win over the Badgers happened.

Bryce Underwood and company started off slow again through the air, but once they got going the Wolverines saw two wide receivers post huge breakout performances. Every Michigan fan was already familiar with Donaven McCulley after he transferred in as a possible solution on the perimeter this offseason and he splashed with some production in the Oklahoma game. He wasn't the surprise. The much-needed–and far more important–breakout game came from true freshman wide receiver Andrew Marsh.

Key facts & stats for freshman WR Andrew Marsh

• Andrew Marsh was rated as a Top 100 recruit in the nation. He was the clear WR1 in Michigan's recruiting class on offense coming in among his peers.
• Prior to Saturday's game against Wisconsin, Marsh had only played 36 snaps and caught one reception on the year.
• Marsh got the start against Wisconsin, and was clearly Bryce Underwood's first read on the very first offensive play of the game.
• He racked up four reception for 80 yards on Saturday, including a 32-yard sideline catch.

Andrew Marsh break out year could completely change the Michigan offense

Donaven McCulley caught six receptions for 112 yards and a score on Saturday, posting his best game in a maize and blue uniform. That could have easily overshadowed anything else that took place for Michigan's offense on Saturday, but the thing is he's out of eligibility after this season. If McCulley was going to be the only positive thing the Wolverines had going for them this season at WR that would not have painted a very bright future for freshman QB Bryce Underwood, head coach Sherrone Moore, or Michigan moving forward.

Thank goodness for four star wide receiver Andrew Marsh.

Marsh had only logged 36 snaps and caught one ball prior to Saturday, so he wasn't exactly supposed to have the game he did against Wisconsin, but something changed this week. Head coach Sherrone Moore gave him his first start, and called a play where he was the first read for Underwood on the very first offensive play of the game for the Wolverines.

Then when the game was still very young, Marsh made the best play of the season for Michigan's passing offense (as you can see in my post below). He ran a simple out-and-up route, adjusted well at the point of catch, high-pointed the ball, got his foot in bounds, and maintained clear possession to the ground. From that point on he looked comfortable, confident, and the Michigan passing offense took off.