By Michigan standards, this past season was mainly one to forget. An 8-5 season was primarily remembered for two reasons: an upset over eventual national champion Ohio State and a bowl win against an Alabama Crimson Tide team still recovering from Nick Saban's retirement from coaching college football.
The Wolverines not only reloaded in the transfer portal, but also at the quarterback position. Freshman sensation Bryce Underwood is thought of as the future in Ann Arbor. Having said that, national analysts are beginning to take notice of Underwood's talents. CBS Sports' Brad Crawford predicts Underwood will start this fall, as the team remains undecided about Underwood's playing status.
By Week 2, however, Crawford writes that Underwood will encounter a minor "marquee" roadblock: the Oklahoma Sooners, which expects to be a better team this fall with a revamped roster starting with ex-Washington State quarterback John Mateer and Cal-Berkley transfer running back Jaydn Ott leading the way.
"Michigan will be asking a lot of freshman Bryce Underwood in what's expected to be his first road start," Crawford wrote.
The Wolverines face some difficult opponents this fall, as they did last year, but arguably a bit more ramped up. They face hostile road environments with Nebraska and USC trips on deck, two teams still looking to contend with the best in the league more consistently. Of course, Michigan ends the year with Ohio State as it tries to win its fifth in a row in the series.
For now, though, Michigan has to worry about Week 1, as it hosts New Mexico Saturday, Aug. 30, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
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