The No. 19 Michigan Wolverines have a chance to focus on improvements this week, as the team has a bye week before hosting Wisconsin on Oct. 4. Michigan sits at 3-1 after an impressive, yet imperfect,
win on the road over Nebraska. Here are three winners and three losers through the first four games of play.
RB Justice Haynes — Winner
Running back Justice Haynes decided to transfer to Michigan from Alabama after waiting a few years for his time. Now, he’s getting a ton of attention for his explosiveness on Michigan’s offense. He’s had long runs in each of Michigan’s games this season, including a 75-yard touchdown run against Nebraska. To use the old cliche, it looked like he had been shot out of a cannon. He’s definitely impressed in each of Michigan’s games this season.
HC Sherrone Moore — Loser
You have to have some empathy for head coach Sherrone Moore and the fact that he missed two games this season because of the NCAA investigation into Connor Stalions. Even if you agree with the suspension, he’s a young head coach who is missing time with his staff and players. To hear Biff Poggi talk about Moore each week, you get the sense that he’s a good guy to be around and cares about his players.
QB Bryce Underwood — Winner
The true freshman has had a lot of hype and attention this offseason, but it seems like he’s stepping into the limelight well. Already, he’s thrown for 733 yards and two touchdowns, while picking up three TDs on the ground. While he’s had some growing pains, including an interception and fumble, he’s mostly kept the ball out of harm’s way.
Wide Receivers — Loser
Michigan’s wide receivers have shown some glimpses of what they can be, but have yet to put together a complete game. Transfer Donaven McCulley leads the team with 13 catches for 197 yards through four games. Behind him, it’s Semaj Morgan with 11 catches for 143 yards and a touchdown. While they’ve fought hard for first downs on some of the plays, they haven’t been much of a threat downfield. Let’s hope that changes as the season continues.
Linebackers — Winner
Going into the season, we expected Michigan to have quite a bit of talent and depth at the linebacker position. Sophomore Cole Sullivan and Jimmy Rolder have stepped up this season, and Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham continue to impress. While Barham has taken some snaps at edge rusher, too, he’s still having an impact at the linebacker position. Together, those four players account for 85 tackles, seven total sacks, two interceptions, a recovered fumble, and one defended pass.
Special Teams — Loser
Thankfully, kicker Dominic Zvada looked like his old self against Nebraska, but what’s going on with special teams overall? There have been some questionable decisions by returners and some miscues in every game. As Michigan works to break in a true freshman quarterback, even if that is Bryce Underwood, you want special teams to help put him in positions where he can find success.
As we say every week, the team wins and loses together, but who would you say needs to improve as the season goes on, and who has already impressed through the first four games of the season? Let us know in the comments below!
