Michigan is really good. No disrespect to CMU, but that was an a** kicking. Michigan dominated them physically, and that happened minus the two starting offensive guards and a potential starting left tackle in Andrew Babalola. Michigan averaged 7.7 yards per play, including 6.9 yards per rushing attempt and 9.4 yards per passing attempt. Michigan had seven players with a rush of 10+ yards, including two wide receivers in Andrew Marsh and Anthony Simpson.
Or Central Michigan isn't good. One thing I have noticed over the years is that the weaker opponents usually have at least one guy who's dangerous, whether it's a tough running back who's difficult to bring down or a speedy slot receiver or maybe a quick quarterback. That's not the case with Central Michigan. I didn't see anyone who made me nervous, and they couldn't threaten the Wolverines. Defensively, they might play with enough discipline to get some wins this season, but they don't have playmakers on offense.
Hit the jump for more.
Bryce Underwood >= Devin Gardner? This game for Bryce Underwood reminded me a lot of the 2013 game against CMU when Gardner was dominant physically. Gardner was another tall, athletic quarterback who could run and throw. Underwood (16/25, 235 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 9 carries, 114 yards, 2 TD) was a clear difference maker in this game, and CMU had no answer except to hope that a freshman quarterback would make a silly passing attempt or two, which he did. I've heard comparisons to Cam Newton and others, but the closest Michigan comparison is Gardner. Underwood has a stronger arm and runs more powerfully, but no comparison is perfect. I think the best overall comparison might be Josh Allen, though there's still a long way to go until Underwood is challenging for NFL MVP. MAC teams generally just have no answer for someone like Underwood.
Also, no answer for Jaishawn Barham. MAC teams also aren't prepared for a 6'3", 248 lb. linebacker who might run a 4.4 at the NFL Combine. Michigan has several playable inside linebackers (Barham, Ernest Hausmann, Jimmy Rolder, Cole Sullivan), so with T.J. Guy missing the game, Michigan simply moved Barham to an edge spot and let Hausmann, Rolder, and Sullivan rotate at inside linebacker. Barham responded with 6 tackles and 2 sacks. Rolder and Sullivan were the other leading tacklers with 6 and 5, respectively. Michigan is going to need to be creative at linebacker, because Hausmann, Sullivan, Rolder, and Barham are all probably in the best eleven defensive players.
Justice Haynes might be elite. Haynes had a 70+ yard touchdown run taken off the board because of an Andrew Marsh holding penalty, and Haynes still ended up with 14 carries for 104 yards and 1 touchdown. He already had 75-, 59-, and 56-yard runs coming into the game, and in this one, his longest official run was a 20-yarder. Pitiful! His long speed is better than some expected, and his toughness is also impressive.
I like Michigan's receiving options a bit more. The coaching staff really seems to like backup tight end Hogan Hansen (3 catches, 43 yards), and that was on display a couple times in this game. Hansen seems to be a very natural receiving target, and I would say he already looks like a smoother receiver than Marlin Klein. I think Klein is faster and a better blocker, so I'm not wanting Klein to be replaced, but I think Hansen is a good heir apparent. I also liked to see Semaj Morgan (4 catches, 69 yards, 1 touchdown) catching some passes downfield, because it was really frustrating watching him catch only screen passes last year. He did drop a bubble screen on Saturday that I'm sure he would like to have back, because he had a lot of room to run. But if he and Underwood can find chemistry, I think that would bode well for the passing game.
Gerry DiNardo a kook. I made the mistake of listening to Gerry DiNardo in the post game, and he was complaining that Justice Haynes only got 14 carries. He said Haynes needs more carries to get in a rhythm for the Big Ten season, and I say there's a reason DiNardo is in the studio and not coaching games. Is Michigan supposed to get its difference-making 5-star transfer beaten up in a 63-3 victory when it's obvious that CMU brought a golf tee to a sword fight?
Go Blue! Go Blue.
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