In a stunning upset that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats, Michigan survived a 13‑12 victory over Western Michigan despite being listed as a four‑touchdown underdog. The Wolverines turned a desperate second‑chance Hail Mary into the game‑winning score, as quarterback Bryce Underwood found JJ Buchanan in the end zone to seal the win.
The analytics highlighted a standout performance from Buchanan, whose PFF grade of 88.9 placed him among the nation’s top receivers, while edge rusher Dom Nichols earned an 83.9 rating, dominating the line of scrimmage. Snap counts underscored their importance, with Andrew Sprague and Troy Bowles seeing extensive action, and Bowles logging a full 60 snaps as a linebacker, illustrating his pivotal role on both sides of the ball.
Other contributors included Jalen Hoffman, who led the tight ends with 37 snaps, and Rod Moore, whose 54 snaps on special teams hinted at a strong contribution beyond defense. Meanwhile, the offensive line struggled for continuity, as only three linemen logged all 51 snaps, and backup centers Brady Norton and Evan Link each saw 40 snaps, reflecting limited opportunities across the unit.
With a 1‑0 record heading into the next matchup, Michigan now faces a formidable test against Oklahoma, a program that will demand noticeable improvements on both offense and defense. The Wolverines will need to refine their passing efficiency and shore up a defense that showed flashes of brilliance but also inconsistency, particularly in the performance of players like Nate Marshall, who posted lower grades.