We’re are 2 days away from seeing Bryce Underwood and the new-look Michigan Wolverines on the field for the first time in the spring game. Here are 3 things we hope to learn during this year’s spring game:
Football will be back on the field at the Big House this weekend for the spring game. With it comes a new era of football for the Michigan Wolverines . The Wolverines will have a slew of new contributors on defense, while all attention on offense is set on freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood.
The score of this game may only result in steaks for the winners and hot dogs for the losers, but the play overall will start to set expectations for the 2025 season, and we’ll learn a lot about what this team could look like in the fall.
Here are the three things we hope to learn during this year’s spring game.
No. 1 – Chip Lindsey was the right hire
New offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey is taking over an offensive unit that was one of the worst in college football last season. Michigan lost a couple games in 2024 because it could not put points on the board and sustain drives enough for the defense to rest up a bit.
Lindsey was brought in to change that, and he is coming off recent success with North Carolina. He helped develop NFL prospects like quarterback Drake Maye and running back Omarion Hampton. This offense is expected to air it out more under Lindsey’s leadership, not only because of a potential superstar starting quarterback, but also because of new talented receivers like Donovan McCulley, Jamar Browder, and Andrew Marsh.
I want to see explosiveness, quarterbacks in rhythm and completing passes more than five yards down the field, and a complementing running game that opens up opportunities in the play action. It would also be nice to see formations, plays and play calling balance that lead to a more effective offense. Obviously they won’t throw out the kitchen sink during the spring game, but a little taste of what to expect this fall would certainly be appreciated.
No. 2 – Michigan’s OL is getting back to form
It’s no secret that 2024 was a down season for the offensive line. This season’s group is far less egregious with Evan Link, Gio El-Hadi and Greg Crippen all returning with significant playing time last season.
There should also be a lot of intrigue in the depth Michigan has, with five-star freshman tackle Andrew Babalola seeing competition for the first time. The defensive line room is stacked, so seeing how Babalola and guys like Andrew Sprague, Nathan Efobi and transfer Brady Norton fare should be intriguing to watch.
If Lindsey is able to come through and bring balance to the offense this fall, the offensive line should be put in a much better space in 2025 and be able to execute at a higher level.
No. 3 – The secondary is taking the next step
After losing Rod Moore before the season and Will Johnson midseason, there were plenty of frustrating moments with younger defensive backs who were asked to step up.
But with Moore returning, the safety room is extremely crowded all of a sudden. He will definitely start if he is healthy, and then Brandyn Hillman and Mason Curtis would duke it out for the second safety spot.
At corner, Zeke Berry and Jyaire Hill should be the two locked in starters, but there is a lot of intrigue with sophomore Jo’Ziah Edmond and true freshman Shamari Earls. The combinations and seeing where these guys line up will be fascinating to watch.