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Michigan’s Fearful Offense Wastes Bryce Underwood’s Talent

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Michael Germanese | Last updated Sep 9, 2025 11:31 AM ET

Michigan (1-1) lost 23-13 to No. 13 Oklahoma(2-0) in a game the Wolverines could not afford to lose. It’s not the loss that should have head coach Sherrone Moore coming under scrutiny—it’s the way they lost that should. In a top-25 matchup with early College Football Playoff implications, Moore decided to use caution and coached not to lose the game instead of coaching with risk to win it.

Football has risks, and teams can try to minimize those risks, but when you do, Saturday’s offensive showing by the Wolverines is what you get. Michigan elected to minimize quarterback Bryce Underwood’s chance of injury by handcuffing his ability to run and throw downfield. By doing so, they also made it more difficult for Underwood to be successful.

Moore walked into Norman, Okla., blowing kisses, and walked out knowing the goal of making the playoff is a lot more difficult after the loss. Moore now has to decide: play to win or continue playing not to lose and risk making 2026 a must-win season.

Take Off the Baby Gloves

Underwood just turned 18 and has already started in two Division-I games, first against a Power Four opponent. Underwood’s age and lack of experience are no excuse in not letting him use every ability he has to win the game. On Saturday, Michigan’s offensive game plan was to limit Underwood’s ability to make mistakes, instead of letting him play and do what was necessary to win it.

Down 21-7 on a third-and-6 in the third quarter, Michigan runs for four yards, followed by a field goal. In that moment, down two scores, Underwood needs to have the ball in his hands with the ability to create with either his feet or his arm. Only allowing Underwood to carry the ball three times in a top 25 matchup doesn’t seem like the recipe to win a lot of these games.

What makes the loss worse, Underwood, going into the game, was never going to be included in the run game against Oklahoma. Moore told the media prior to the game that when it comes to Underwood running, they will incorporate it as the season goes on. He added, “If you’re going to run your quarterback, you better have two.” Is Moore telling us what to expect from Jadyn Davis, Mikey Keene and Jake Garcia’s abilities to come in and win games if Underwood goes down?

Moore Seat Is Getting Hot

Moore changed how 2024 would be viewed with wins over Ohio State and Alabama, and on the recruiting trail. Unfortunately for Moore, anything short of nine wins for the Wolverines this season would be a massive failure. And if that’s the case, a win over No. 1 Ohio State (2-0) to end the year won’t be enough to stop Moore’s seat from getting hot.

If Moore is getting to nine wins, Underwood needs to be incorporated into all aspects of the offense immediately. Moore faces a Michigan schedule that has become more difficult than it appeared to start the season. Nebraska (2-0), USC (2-0) and Michigan State (2-0) all look vastly improved from a year ago. Dylan Raiola and Aidan Chiles both appear to be living up to the hype this season, while Lincoln Riley might have finally figured it out at USC. Add in home games against Washington (2-0) and Ohio State, Moore could be looking at another 7-5 season if the offense isn’t figured out. Moore also faces the fact that he will miss the entire week before and the Nebraska game after the self-imposed suspension from his part in the sign-stealing fiasco.

Moore needs to decide to either take the baby gloves off and give Underwood the opportunity to show why he was the No. 1 recruit in the county or leave them on and hope that the offensive performance doesn’t show up again. Moore faces the harsh reality that coaches no longer get four or five years to build a program. Jim Harbaugh got seven because of his history. Moore will be lucky to get three if things continue to look the same.

Michigan no longer has any excuse with its resources to not be able to compete with the top programs in the country. Michigan’s move from transformational to transactional in Name, Image and Likeness plays a big part in it. Now Moore either turns those resources into wins or is Moore the right man to lead the program question will be asked.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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