Saturday’s dominant win over Maryland was sneakily a really important step for the Michigan Wolverines. Down to their third running back, facing a team desperate to keep bowl eligibility and a freshman quarterback playing one of the most ballhawking secondaries in the country on the road, the game was really never close. Michigan’s defense brought the Terps to a screeching halt, holding them to just 71 rushing yards.
The Wolverines seem to be clicking on almost all cylinders ahead of the biggest game
of the season. A win against Ohio State could get Michigan in the College Football Playoff, and maybe even the Big Ten Championship.
But before we get to that, here are four things we learned after Michigan’s triumph in College Park.
Michigan is playing its best football at the right time
Saturday’s win was, overall, the most impressive game of the season. This wasn’t Central Michigan — it was a Big Ten opponent that had a highly regarded quarterback that started the season on a four-game win streak at home. The Wolverines were without some key pieces on both sides of the ball, and Bryce Underwood was facing one of the better secondaries at forcing turnovers.
Underwood really only made one bad throw that was almost intercepted. Outside of that, he was outstanding for the second week in a row. He was 16-for-23 for 215 yards and two touchdowns, relying heavily on his favorite targets Andrew Marsh and Donaven McCulley.
Malik Washington was under constant pressure all night, and Derrick Moore and Jaishawn Barham each picked up a sack. The Terps struggled to move the ball on the ground and became one dimensional early, allowing Wink Martindale to dial up blitzes from all sides. Zeke Barry made a fantastic play on a deep ball to nullify a potential huge play, while Mason Curtis caught an interception.
A team full of young talent is really starting to jell, especially on the offensive side of the ball. They are playing their best ball of the season at the perfect time. If it weren’t for the turnovers two weeks ago, the Wolverines would have dominated Northwestern, too. They’re showing if they can take care of the ball and execute, they can compete with anyone, including Ohio State.
Bryson Kuzdzal is a legit RB3
One of the biggest question marks heading into this game was if the Wolverines would be able to move the ball on the ground. Down both Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall, Sherrone Moore and company turned to former walk-on and two-star recruit Bryson Kuzdzal.
Kuzdzal put the Wolverines on his shoulders, going for 100 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. The offensive line constantly produced holes for him to run through, and he found them time after time.
This performance was one that may have been a surprise for outsiders, but those internally knew what Michigan had in Kuzdzal. At the minimum, he’s earned the chance to see more snaps against Ohio State, even when Marshall returns. But more excitingly, he could be a veteran option for the team next season as five-star Savion Hiter enters the program. There is a lot to like about this room moving forward.
Andrew Marsh should have been returning kicks and punts all along
We’ve sung his praises for weeks because of what he has done at the receiver position. After a fumbled kick return in Week 1, there was maybe a bit of skepticism for Marsh’s role there. But taking over the reigns this week as punt returner for Semaj Morgan, who didn’t travel with the team to Maryland, he was really impressive.
Marsh understood the fundamentals of his assignment. Catch the ball, get a few yards and get down. That’s what he did with two returns for 23 yards off punts. He also had a 39-yard kick return. His growth is coming not just on offense, but also on special teams, a unit that has been abysmal all season long.
Dominic Zvada has seriously regressed
Speaking of the awful season the special teams has had, Dominic Zvada’s regression has been one of the most perplexing in college football this season. He was one of, if not thee best kicker in 2024, finishing as an All-American and a runner-up for the Lou Groza Award.
Many were surprised about his return to Ann Arbor when he realistically could have gone pro after hitting 21-of-22 field goals last season.
Zvada has only made 12-of-19 field goals this year, dropping his career percentage of 88.7 heading into the 2025 season all the way down to 63.2 percent. He’s missed as many kicks in 2025 (seven) as his first three years of his career combined. What has happened to Zvada is stunning, and the Wolverines will need him to return to form this week against Ohio State and beyond.
