Michigan Wolverines have to trust Bryce Underwood’s arm if they want to overcome tricky Wisconsin Badgers
It’s time that the Michigan Wolverines let Bryce Underwood prove his mettle as a passing quarterback against Wisconsin
The Michigan Wolverines are fresh coming off of a bye as they take on the Wisconsin Badgers at home. The Wolverines are getting some much-needed players on both sides of the ball this week, which they will need to continue their momentum of the last two games against the Badgers in Ann Arbor.
Michigan has feasted with a new-found rushing attack, featuring the dynamic duo of quarterback Bryce Underwood and running back Justice Haynes. The two have given defensive coordinators fits over the last two games with how they affect the Wolverines’ offense, and it’s led to some gaudy numbers for Michigan, who sits eighth in the country in rushing yards per game.
However, if the Wolverines want to win this weekend against Wisconsin, it’s finally time for them to unleash Underwood’s arm and rely on him as a passer to carry them to a win this weekend.
Underwood’s Arm Has To Deliver
The Wisconsin Badgers boast the number-one rushing defense in the country, allowing just 50 yards a game on the ground. It’s not a fluke either, as the Badgers sit at a respectable 28th in defensive stop rate and boast an 81st percentile run stuff rate. They don’t allow many explosives on the ground, something that Michigan has relied on to deliver in recent games.
However, Wisconsin has been highly susceptible through the air. They sit 77th in success rate allowed and 84th in EPA/Pass Allowed, and have allowed a combined 647 yards and six touchdowns through the air in their last two games. The gameplan for Michigan in this one feels obvious. It’s time that the Wolverines finally turn the passing game, an area of weakness this season, up a notch this week.
Underwood has only completed 56.9% of his passes for 733 yards and two touchdowns this season, with those two touchdowns only coming against New Mexico and Central Michigan. When the Wolverines are throwing the ball, it’s feast or famine, with very low quality targets underneath to keep defenses somewhat honest against the run. It isn’t all on Underwood, as Michigan receivers have dropped 11(!) passes so far this season, but the Wolverines have to do a better job of creating explosives through the air.
Underwood was the number-one quarterback recruit in the country. It’s time to finally let him show what he can do through the air.
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