Michigan vs. Indiana: Game Preview & Bryce Underwood's Future

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Outspoken With Dan Sileo

Michigan Gets a Favorable Number Against Indiana as Questions Surround Bryce Underwood

Indiana enters a significant game against Michigan after coming within one foot of beating Ohio State at home in Bloomington. Michigan, meanwhile, appears to be wobbling after early losses that surprised its fan base.

Michigan’s season has largely unfolded as expected. The team appeared likely to be overrated early, creating an opportunity to get more favorable numbers later in the season with Kyle Whittingham and the Wolverines. Michigan is now getting more than a touchdown in Ann Arbor, which makes the matchup particularly intriguing.

Indiana remains comfortably among the top eight teams. However, there is a clear drop-off from Heisman Trophy winner and projected number one overall pick Fernando Mendoza to Josh Hoover. Even if Indiana had beaten Ohio State, it still would have been an extremely close game. The result against Nebraska also did not age well after Nebraska’s trip to Oregon.

Indiana can probably win this matchup, but a dominant result such as 31-7 does not appear likely.

Bryce Underwood’s future at Michigan is also in doubt. Barring an injury, it is difficult to see him taking the field again. Whittingham inherited Underwood and was not involved in the revolutionary $10 million NIL deal that brought the quarterback to Michigan. He was reportedly considering benching Underwood after the opening week and does not appear to believe in him.

It is also fair to wonder whether Whittingham would have named Underwood the starter entering the season if optics had not made another decision difficult. The larger question is where Underwood will play next season and which program will still believe in his potential. His struggles have gone beyond simply not being good enough for Michigan; he has been a bad college quarterback during his time with the Wolverines.