The pressure is palpable in Ann Arbor as the Michigan Wolverines head into the 2025 season, with freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood suddenly carrying championship aspirations on his shoulders. Fresh off a season where the offense sputtered, Michigan fans are banking on Underwood, the prized five-star recruit, to spark a turnaround that could launch the Wolverines back into the College Football Playoff conversation. Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt sees the youngster as the potential missing piece, but also warns: Everything may not be as easy as flipping a switch for this storied program.
How Will Bryce Underwood Handle Michigan’s Championship Expectations?
Klatt did not pull punches in his analysis of Michigan’s recent struggles. “This was an 8-win team with an offense that couldn’t throw the ball at all,” he said on “The Joel Klatt show”. “The only teams in the country that they were better than throwing the ball were armies. That’s a problem.”
The Wolverines’ offense ranked among the nation’s worst in the air in 2024, averaging just 129.1 passing yards per game, which landed them at 131st nationally. Meanwhile, the offensive line gave up just 17 sacks, tying for 24th-most in FBS, but was not as dominant as the units that powered Jim Harbaugh’s championship run.
With incumbent Mikey Keene sidelined by injury and missing spring reps, Underwood got extended run with the first team, accelerating his development and positioning himself as the likely starter come fall. Klatt believes any level of improvement from the quarterback spot, whether it’s Underwood or Keene, could make a huge difference. “If they get any offensive contribution from Bryce Underwood or whoever plays quarterback, this team should be drastically better,” he said.
However, it’s not just the quarterback situation that raises eyebrows. Klatt stressed that the offensive line, while solid last year, may not be the devastating force it was in previous seasons. “I’ve got a bit of a question about the offensive line,” he admitted. “Is it as good as those offensive lines late in Harbaugh’s era that they could just lean on and just play bully ball? Not sure.”
Can Michigan’s Defense Keep the Wolverines in Playoff Contention?
While the offense has questions, the defense provides more reason for optimism. “Defense should be excellent,” Klatt said. “Wink Martindale figured it out along the road during the year last year. He turned in one of the better defenses in the country.” The Wolverines allowed just 307.0 yards per game, a figure that helped keep them competitive even when the offense stalled.
The path to a bounce-back season becomes clearer with a closer look at the schedule. According to Klatt, if Michigan can win its early showdown against Oklahoma, the rest of the slate looks manageable. “If they were to beat Oklahoma, nothing looks daunting on the schedule,” he said. “I think this is a bounce-back year for Michigan. I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that they go and win that game in Norman.”
With the spotlight now on Underwood and a rebuilt offense, Michigan must show it can match Klatt’s optimism on defense. The early tests against tough opponents, especially Oklahoma, will reveal whether the Wolverines can reclaim their place among college football’s elite.
