Who else feels like their blood pressure is up this week? Must be Hate Week. I’m sure many of you have given this week’s opponent all the attention they deserve, which is to say none (other than Steve’s
preview earlier today), so we sat down with Nick Durand from Maize n Brew to find out about this year’s version of the u*m football team. Let’s see what he had to say.
1. Let’s start with the prized recruit, Bryce Underwood. What are your thoughts on him through half a season? Has he improved on anything through seven games? What has impressed you most about him? Where does he still need the most improvement?
ND: All things considered, I’m pleased with what I’ve seen from Underwood so far. He’s had a handful of freshman mistakes as you might expect, but so far he’s done a really great job of steering the offense for Michigan. The quarterback position is in a much better place than it was last year, that’s for sure. Multiple times a game he makes those “wow” throws that you’d expect from a five-star quarterback. In fact, I’d say his best attribute is throwing on the run, as he’s routinely able to roll to either side and throw back across the field through tight windows. His receivers have struggled with drops this year, but that could be partially on him as well, as he has a tendency to put too much zip on the ball from close range and needs to work a bit more with his touch. But for the most part the ball is always on time, on target, to the right guy. His rushing ability has been a big plus as well.
2. Justice Haynes has been your biggest offensive weapon. What makes the transfer junior so good? Who else on offense does the Spartan defense need to prepare for?
ND: Haynes has given Michigan even more than it could’ve asked for so far. It makes you wonder why Alabama didn’t feature him more in the offense. What’s been most impressive about Haynes so far his his lateral movement and breakaway speed. At the line, he does an excellent job of finding a hole even when the one he’s supposed to go through is blocked off. He’s shown a great ability to turn his attention to the outside when the blocking in front of him isn’t good and uses his speed to get to the edge. Furthermore, he’s got the speed to beat any defensive back as we’ve seen with his four touchdown runs longer than 50 yards this year. He didn’t play against Washington or for much of the USC due to an injury, but it seems like he’ll be back this week. If for whatever reason he’s not, backup Jordan Marshall is coming off a 100-yard game of his own, while freshman Andrew Marsh has taken on a bigger role in the passing game in recent weeks. Look out for those two.
3. What level of your defense is the best? Who are the guys going pro among the starters on that unit?
ND: It’s tough to say, each level has great depth without much real star power. But for right now I’d say the edge group is the best. Jaishawn Baraham has been great since moving there, while Derrick Moore has been productive too, recording a sack in last week’s game. Furthermore, T.J. Guy, Dominic Nichols, and Cam Brandt have shown flashes there as well. If there’s a sure-fire pro in the group though, it’s Barham. Look out for the linebackers though as well, as Jimmy Rolder and Cole Sullivan have both had breakout years and were excellent in the game against Washington.
4. Let’s look at your coach, Sherrone Moore. Public opinion on him appears to be quite mixed. Is his seat hot at all? What is the likelihood he does not make it to his 3rd year? What would have to happen the rest of this season to seal his fate, one way or the other?
ND: I believe that the seat might be a little warm but not really hot. It seems like there’s a bit of a sense of urgency with all the NIL money that’s been dumped into the program in the last year, meanwhile he does have a miniscule buyout compared to some of the other numbers in college football. Personally, I think the Washington win did him a lot of good will and he can have a strong end to the season. If he’s able to finish the year 9-3 he should be in good shape assuming the loss (likely to Ohio State) isn’t ugly. If they were to lose two or more games though, then I could see there being a real discussion on him coming back in 2026.
5. Fill in the blank: Michigan will win if _____________.
ND: It doesn’t beat itself and doesn’t start slow. That’s been the trend in the 2025 losses. Really in all the losses of the Sherrone Moore era, you know the game is over within the first few minutes. Furthermore, when Michigan is going to lose, you’ll see plenty of dumb penalties, poor tackling, and a lack of fundamentals all around. It might sound simple, but it’s really like that for Michigan. If the Wolverines are able to get out of their own way and get off to a hot (or at least not a cold) start, then they should roll.
6. Predict the final score.
ND: Give me Michigan 31-13. I was encouraged by what we saw from their defense against Washington last week, while the offense should continue to click against a middle-of-the-pack Spartan defense.
TOC wishes to thank Nick for his help on this article. May Saturday be an awful day for him.
