Michigan’s Season Could Come Down to One Thing: Quarterback Play
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Michigan has the talent to compete with the best teams in the Big Ten in 2026.
The Wolverines have a dangerous running back in Jordan Marshall, a potential star receiver in Andrew Marsh and plenty of talent throughout the roster. But if Michigan wants to turn that talent into a Big Ten title and College Football Playoff run, the quarterback position will be the key.
That puts plenty of pressure on Bryce Underwood entering his second season in Ann Arbor.
Underwood showed flashes of why he was one of the most highly rated quarterback recruits in recent memory during his freshman season. Now Michigan needs those flashes to become consistent production.
Year 2 Needs to Be Different for Underwood
Underwood was thrown into one of the biggest jobs in college football immediately as a true freshman.
There were impressive moments, but there were also the mistakes you would expect from a young quarterback learning how to play at the Big Ten level.
That’s what makes 2026 so important.
Underwood now has an entire season of experience behind him. He has seen Big Ten defenses, played in major rivalry games and experienced the pressure that comes with being Michigan’s starting quarterback.
The Wolverines don’t need him to suddenly become a perfect quarterback. They need him to be more consistent.
Making the easy throws, limiting turnovers and keeping the offense on schedule could be the difference between Michigan being a good team and becoming one of the best teams in the country.
Michigan Can’t Rely Only on the Run
Running the football will remain a major part of Michigan’s identity.
Jordan Marshall enters the season with breakout potential after rushing for 932 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 150 carries last season. Michigan should have no problem leaning on him when needed.
But there will eventually be a game where running the football isn’t enough.
Teams like Oklahoma, Penn State, Indiana, Oregon and Ohio State aren’t going to simply allow Michigan to control games on the ground. At some point, Underwood will need to make plays through the air.
That’s where Michigan’s ceiling will be determined.
If defenses can load the box without worrying about being beaten downfield, life becomes much harder for Marshall and the entire offense. If Underwood can consistently punish teams for doing that, Michigan becomes much more difficult to defend.
Andrew Marsh Gives Underwood a True No. 1 Target
One major advantage Underwood has entering his second season is the development of Andrew Marsh.
Marsh emerged as one of Michigan’s biggest offensive weapons during his freshman season, finishing with 45 receptions for 651 yards and four touchdowns.
Now the two sophomores have an opportunity to grow together.
Marsh gives Underwood a receiver who can win downfield, make contested catches and handle a large number of targets. Michigan has also added more talent around him, which should give Underwood more options than he had during portions of his freshman season.
If the Underwood-Marsh connection takes another step, Michigan’s passing attack could look completely different.
Jason Beck Could Unlock Another Level
Underwood will also be working in a new offense under coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jason Beck.
Beck arrives with a track record of developing productive quarterbacks and building offenses that can attack defenses in several ways. For Underwood, that could mean using more of the athletic ability that made him such a highly regarded prospect in the first place.
Michigan doesn’t need to turn him into a quarterback who throws 45 times every Saturday.
The Wolverines need an offense that makes defenses respect every part of the field.
Underwood’s arm strength combined with his ability to make plays with his legs gives Michigan the chance to do exactly that.
The Biggest Games Will Come Down to the Quarterback
Michigan’s schedule provides several opportunities for Underwood to prove he has taken the next step.
Oklahoma comes to the Big House in Week 2. Penn State and Indiana visit Ann Arbor during Big Ten play. Michigan then travels to Oregon before closing the regular season at Ohio State.
Those games are where quarterback play becomes especially important.
Michigan can probably survive an average passing performance against some teams on its schedule.
It likely won’t against the best ones.
When Michigan gets into a close fourth-quarter game against another playoff contender, Underwood could be the player who determines whether the Wolverines win or lose.
Michigan Doesn’t Need Underwood to Do Everything
The good news is that Underwood shouldn’t have to carry this team by himself.
Marshall gives Michigan a proven running back. Marsh gives the Wolverines a proven receiving threat. The defense should once again give the offense opportunities to win games without needing to score 40 points every week.
That allows Underwood to focus on playing efficient football.
He doesn’t need to chase huge numbers or force throws trying to create highlight plays. If he protects the football, extends drives and hits the explosive plays when they’re available, Michigan should be in good shape.
But if Underwood takes an even bigger jump and develops into one of the Big Ten’s best quarterbacks, Michigan’s expectations change completely.
Quarterback Play Will Determine Michigan’s Ceiling
There aren’t many questions about whether Michigan has talent.
The bigger question is whether the Wolverines can get enough consistent production from the most important position on the field.
Underwood has the arm, athleticism and natural talent to become one of college football’s biggest stars. His freshman season gave him the experience. Now 2026 is about turning that experience into results.
Michigan can run the football. It has playmakers. It has the schedule to make a College Football Playoff push.
But when the biggest moments arrive, the ball will likely be in Underwood’s hands.
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