Michigan, once ranked 16th, straight up fell out of the AP Top 25, even though they *won* their Week 1 game, 13-12, against Western Michigan. Yeah, you heard that right. A win so shaky, so reliant on a controversial Hail Mary, it cost them their spot in the rankings. Now, they’re limping into a Week 2 showdown with the No. 11 Oklahoma Sooners, and it feels like the stage is set for a major shake-up.
Underwood’s Rough Start Has Wolverines Fans Sweating
The big question hanging over Michigan right now? What’s up with Bryce Underwood? Their starting quarterback had a “forgettable outing” in Week 1. He was shaky against Western Michigan, struggled to keep his unit on schedule, and even tossed a fourth-quarter interception on a bad read. Coach Kyle Whittingham isn’t pulling punches, either. He stopped short of guaranteeing Underwood the starting job for the rest of the season and straight-up called for “more poise and accuracy.” This dude was a former five-star recruit, but the spotlight is gonna be blinding this weekend. This is one of Michigan’s “toughest contests of the campaign,” and their offense needs to find its rhythm FAST. Whittingham himself admitted, “we’ve got our work cut out for us.”
Sooners’ Defense Is Firing On All Cylinders
Meanwhile, No. 11 Oklahoma is rolling. They’re coming off a dominant 51-0 shutout win over UTEP in Week 1, and their veteran-laden defense looked absolutely nasty. Seriously, a 51-0 romp? That’s not just a win, that’s a statement! Quarterback John Mateer, a veteran, threw for 225 yards and three touchdowns on just 11 completions, playing only three quarters. He’s put on size this offseason, fully recovered from last fall’s injury issues, and he looks like the real deal leading a unit that could be “one of the SEC’s most explosive.” Last season, Oklahoma took down Michigan 24-13 early on, a win they used as a “momentum boost” all the way to the College Football Playoff. Coach Brent Venables isn’t “buying the narrative that Michigan is overrated,” and why would he? His team looks primed.
The Wolverines are “primed to turn the tables” on what’s been a “lackluster debut” for Whittingham, but against a CFP contender like Oklahoma, that’s easier said than done. Whittingham even knows how good these Sooners are, having exchanged defensive tactics with Venables’ staff a few years back. He says Oklahoma’s “been rolling defensively since” then. Get ready, Ann Arbor, because Saturday at 12 p.m. ET on FOX, Michigan Stadium is going to be rocking, and for Michigan, this game means everything for their early season narrative.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply