Even though the Michigan Wolverines are 3-0 this season, there are still questions about whether quarterback Bryce Underwood is going to turn the corner. The No. 18 Wolverines host the No. 17 Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Michigan Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
Bryce Underwood’s Numbers Have Been Modest
This season, Underwood has completed 62.5% of his passes for 504 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He has also rushed for 156 yards on 33 carries and two touchdowns, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. The passing numbers have been underwhelming, and the schedule is about to get harder.
Iowa Has the Nation’s Best Scoring Defense
Iowa is not just the stingiest defense in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes lead the entire country in scoring defense at 4.3 points per game and in total defense at 176.7 yards per game, with shutouts of Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa already on the board. Michigan’s offense will have to earn every yard.
Max Chadwick of PFF, previewing the biggest games of the weekend, laid out why that is a problem for Underwood:
“Bryce Underwood wasn’t just the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 high school class; he was one of the highest-rated quarterback recruits of all time. But it’s fair to say that he hasn’t quite lived up to that billing a year and change into his collegiate career. So far, Underwood has 15 big-time throws, 21 turnover-worthy plays and just a 70.4% adjusted completion rate…