Bryce Underwood and Michigan Wolverines one “must have” against Oklahoma could make or break their entire season
Michigan desperately needs to see other offensive playmakers step up around Bryce Underwood or Wolverines will stall
Bryce Underwood made his debut for the Michigan Wolverines in Week 1 and it was overall a success.
Was it perfect? No. Did the 34-17 win come against a weaker defense in New Mexico, yes. However, Underwood undeniably flashed his five star potential regardless the caliber of opponent.
Still, if Michigan is going to put together a special season there is one “must have” they need to see. The offensive playmakers need to step up in a huge way around Bryce Underwood–more than just tight end Marlin Klein.
Channing Goodwin and Michigan WRs must step up to help Bryce Underwood or the Wolverines is going to struggle
There were always going to be major questions at wide receiver coming into this season for Michigan. Tight end Colston Loveland was a first round draft pick this spring. Wide receiver Tyler Morris transferred out. Donaven McCulley transferred in to play outside wide receiver, but that was obviously not the ideal “big time playmaker” answer.
To the surprise of no one, through the first week of action, it’s clear there are still questions at the wide receiver position now. It was great to see Marlin Klein step up as the potential de facto WR1 at tight end, snagging six receptions for 93 yards in the Colston Loveland role. A few plays showed promise from the wide receivers too, but if Michigan is going to beat Oklahoma and other tough teams this year there has to be much improved consistency.
It’s clear that Michigan has three wide receivers they trust this year: Donaven McCulley, Channing Goodwin, and Semaj Morgan. That trio averaged about 43 snaps of action against New Mexico. No other wide receiver saw more than 11 snaps on the game. All three of those wide receivers saw at least four targets, converting them into at least 31 yards each, but only one of them showed much explosion at all–and that was Channing Goodwin.
Goodwin only hauled in just two of his five targets, but he took those two receptions for 49 yards (which amounted to more than two yards per route run on the game). 39 of those yards came on the most explosive pass play of the game on a critical third down as you can see in the post below. It was 3rd and 14 in the Wolverines two-minute offense. Michigan had to have a play to keep the drive going, and Goodwin hauled in the perfect throw from Bryce Underwood (as you can see in the post below).
Goodwin is a second year player for Michigan, who clearly and rightfully earned an expanded role this offseason. If this trend and usage continues, Goodwin is likely going to be the team’s primary deep-game target among the high-snap playmakers. His average depth of target was about 12 yards down field. Semaj Morgan’s was behind the line of scrimmage. McCulley was barely seven yards down the field as a chain mover.
It was good to see Goodwin put together some production, but he also only hauled in two of five targets. So yes, even the best, most explosive wide receiver option for Michigan still struggled to an extent against a weak opponent.
Goodwin should continue to grow. Marlin Klein should be reliable at tight end. However, the team really needs every weapon to take a step forward, and a ton more out of Semaj Morgan and Donaven McCulley. Hopefully this skill position group continues to develop around Bryce Underwood. Otherwise they’ll be completely shut down against the toughest opponents on the schedule (like Oklahoma).
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