The Michigan Wolverines have potential College Football Playoff goals this fall, but to get there, they may just have to exact revenge against the Oklahoma Sooners.
The Sooners defeated the Wolverines 24-13 in Week 2 last season, but college football analyst David Pollack sees the rematch going much differently come Sept. 12 in Ann Arbor when he previewed it on his “See Ball Get Ball” podcast.
“If you’re going to start comparing apples to apples and oranges to oranges, if you get that feather in your cap of an out-of-conference team, Oklahoma is going to be good,” Pollack said. “They’re gonna be good. They were in the [College Football Playoff], and they’re going to be in contention again.
Pollack said even though the Sooners may be good, he expects the Wolverines to make the necessary adjustment.
“They’re gonna [be good],” Pollack added. “They’re not going anywhere. Getting them at home is even better. You get that one, when you start comparing to other teams that you’re going to be going against and you say you got that feather in the cap, that’s a really good thing for Go Blue.”
Quarterback Bryce Underwood told “Champ Media” how much he is looking forward to his sophomore season, especially being recently named captain.
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“It’s a blessing overall,” Underwood said. “These past few weeks have just been working hard, leading the guys. It wouldn’t be any different with them being leaders as well. Just really appreciate them for everything they put me through.”
With all eyes on Underwood taking the next step toward stardom in Ann Arbor, he has the backing of his new coach, Kyle Whittingham, too.
“You know, first of all, from what I understand, there was no dedicated quarterback coach working with him on a daily basis,” Whittingham said. “Which has to happen when you get a young, young man, 17 years old, he didn’t turn 18 till like mid-season.”
Although Whittingham is surprised by Underwood’s progression, his youthfulness is arguably his biggest advantage, he said.
“And so he’s a guy that really could have been in high school last year as far as his age,” Whittingham said. “But, there’s some things in throwing mechanics and the — just seems to smooth out in his fundamentals and technique. And we’re already got a good start on that.”
Whittingham concluded he feels comfortable with the staff Underwood already has around him, too, despite it still being a learning experience.
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“And Jason Beck and Koy Detmer, outstanding quarterback developers and coaches,” Whittingham said. “So we’re already going down that path, but you talk about a ton of upside and Bryce Underwood’s got it all. He’s 6-foot-4 and 225 plus and has a cannon arm.”
Whittingham trusts Underwood as the quarterback with the “whole package,” making this season a true test.
“I feel like it’s just a fresh start overall,” Underwood said. “Brings my guys — brings us more together because now we’re more player led. We’ve been through a little bit of adversity.. something for us to be better at every single day,”
A potential win against the Sooners could go a long way, but only time will tell.
