It may not have been pretty, but the No. 15 Michigan Wolverines (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) survived their date with the desperate Wisconsin Badgers (2-3, 0-2), by a final score of 24-10. Now, they head west for
a crucial matchup with the USC Trojans (4-1, 2-1).
“Every game’s a different story, and the thing we keep preaching to these guys, ‘Man, don’t look at a logo on a team, regardless of what you think, because every team is going to give you their best because you’re Michigan,’” head coach Sherrone Moore said on the “Inside Michigan Football” radio show on Monday.
Moore noted the team views the schedule in a four-quarter format with four-to-five-game chunks. The Wolverines are in the middle portion and have a clearer idea who they are as a team. Bryce Underwood has developed nicely at quarterback and should only grow as he gains more experience. The offensive line has dealt with a bevy of injuries, but that has not affected a dangerous rushing attack led by Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall.
This duel with the Trojans is arguably Michigan’s most important test until The Game. It does have other quality opponents, but likely none of this caliber nor on the road. A win, and the Wolverines should have the CFP on their minds. A loss, and they could quickly turn their hopes toward 2026.
The Big Ten feels like a conference that will send four teams to the CFP. The Penn State Nittany Lions (3-2, 0-2) are in flux, and outside of the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0, 2-0), the No. 3 Oregon Ducks (5-0, 2-0) and the No. 7 Indiana Hoosiers (5-0, 2-0), that remaining spot is wide open.
Michigan will practice at a familiar face’s current stomping grounds with the Los Angeles Chargers playing host. Perhaps some of that Harbaugh magic will rub off on Moore’s team for this pivotal contest.
Quick Hitters
- Haynes for Heisman?
- The transfer running back has already exceeded expectations as the lead back. He has five games with more than 100 rushing yards, something that had never happened before in program history. Moore believes he should have more Heisman recognition: “He’s a guy that should be getting Heisman hype. He should be in those conversations because I know Blake in [2022] had as good as a year as I’ve been around as a running back, and this is starting to go right up there with it.”
- A budding star in the secondary
- True freshman cornerback Jayden Sanders has been one of the pleasant surprises early in this campaign. He received an opportunity upon Zeke Berry’s injury and has made it difficult for the coaching staff to refuse him snaps. Defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan has been particularly impressed with his young standout, and his athletic background: “His dad played at TCU. His mom was an athlete in track at University of Houston. So if you got that on both sides, I think the kid is just wired the right way. And I think the last thing about him is just it means something to him. He doesn’t want to let his parents down. And I always say if a kid’s scared to let his parents down and let his mom down, he won’t let a coach down. So I think that’s why he’s wired the way he is.”
- Kicking woes continue, but do not expect any major changes
- Moore has repeatedly mentioned how he does not and will not say much to his kicker, Dominic Zvada, due to his lack of knowledge surrounding the position. Most coaches would probably not admit that, but Moore is confident in Zvada and is not overly worried about him or the low snaps that plagued Michigan on Saturday: “I don’t have great coaching points for kickers. And I know that could be a stigma and that could be something that goes on in your head. So we got to be very careful how we handle him. But I know he’s working his tail off to get that corrected.”
