Category: Featured

GAME 3 PROJECTION vs. RESULTS

Final Score: 63-3, Michigan by 60 over Central Michigan
SP+ Projection: Michigan by 31.7 (+28.3)
CD Projection: Michigan by 20 (+40)

FIVE FACTORS

GAME 3 RECAP vs. Central Michigan

Question marks surrounded the offensive unit coming into today’s matchup with the Chippewas. Bryce Underwood and Chip Lindsey smashed all those question marks and reinvigorated the Michigan fan base’s confidence. A 58% success rate and 9.1 yards per play, with garbage time removed, will be good enough to beat almost anyone. Underwood made a few mistakes, but looked sharp as he threw for 235 yards. Even more exciting was Bryce’s ability to pull the ball down and scramble for big conversions. Underwood added 114 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns to the team rushing total of 381 yards. Four different running backs scored touchdowns, and freshman Andrew Marsh added another on an end around. This was a text book get-right game, and the Wolverines needed it.

The defensive performance was even more refreshing for me. We saw the 2024 defense dominate games down the stretch, but in the early season they could not dominate any team for any stretch of time. Today, the Michigan defense was unbelievable. Central Michigan managed just 139 total yards and a 25% success rate. The Chips actually spent most of the first half below zero in the total yards column. Jayshawn Barham looked absolutely devastating for the entire first half, but also causes the most concern as he left just after halftime with an apparent shoulder injury.

If the Wolverines have any major flaw right now, it’s consistency on special teams. Shockingly, Dominic Zvada missed another field goal today, although a 47-yard attempt is no chip shot. Michigan also looks discombobulated on punt return. Semaj Morgan is still not getting a good read on the ball and has to make tough running catches. On one particular adventure today, Morgan was tackled accidentally by one of his blockers.

In the grand scheme of this season, today was a really good day. Bryce Underwood looked in control of the entire offense, and used the whole field. Chip Lindsey demonstrated that he will attack vertically, and will do it early. The defense was physical, and dominated the line of scrimmage while many young depth players got to rotate in the back seven. The B1G season kicks off on the road without Sherrone Moore next week in Lincoln, Nebraska so the Wolverines have to keep stacking good days for the whole week. Onward!