Michigan QB Bryce Underwood puts together strong PFF grade vs Oklahoma

Michigan looked like a completely different football team on Saturday afternoon. One week removed from the last-second miracle to survive Western Michigan, the Wolverines entered their matchup with No. 11 Oklahoma as underdogs and walked away with a 17-10 statement victory. Michigan improved to 2-0 in the process, giving Kyle Whittingham his first ranked win as head coach and the Wolverines their first-ever victory over the Sooners.

The biggest reason was Michigan’s defense, which held Oklahoma to 289 total yards, 10 points and 3-of-13 on third down. Bryce Underwood and the offense showed some encouraging signs as well, particularly with Michigan finally leaning heavily into his ability as a runner, but there is still plenty to clean up offensively.

The Pro Football Focus grades tell a similar story. Michigan earned an 84.2 defensive grade, highlighted by an 88.2 pass-rush grade and an 86.1 mark against the run. The offense finished considerably lower at 61.3.

Here are the full PFF snap counts and grades from Michigan’s upset victory over Oklahoma.

Offensive Snap Counts (snap count \ overall grade)

Savion Hiter — 26 \ 73.0

Bryce Underwood — 63 \ 72.0

JJ Buchanan — 58 \ 68.1

Jake Guarnera — 63 \ 64.8

Avery Gach — 3 \ 63.4

Zack Marshall — 17 \ 63.2

Andrew Sprague — 63 \ 62.9

Bryson Kuzdzal — 4 \ 61.2

Manuel Beigel — 28 \ 61.1

Salesi Moa — 1 \ 60.0

Mason Bonner — 1 \ 59.2

Andrew Marsh — 58 \ 58.9

Travis Johnson — 2 \ 57.3

Jordan Marshall — 34 \ 56.9

Eli Owens — 14 \ 56.8

Brady Norton — 63 \ 56.7

Channing Goodwin — 21 \ 54.4

Blake Frazier — 63 \ 52.9

Nathan Efobi — 63 \ 45.2

Jalen Hoffman — 48 \ 44.6

Five Best Offensive Grades (min. 5 snaps)

Savion Hiter — 73.0

Bryce Underwood — 72.0

JJ Buchanan — 68.1

Jake Guarnera — 64.8

Avery Gach — 63.4

The biggest development for Michigan’s offense was how much more willing Whittingham and offensive coordinator Jason Beck were to use Underwood as part of the designed running game. After many of his attempts against Western Michigan came from scrambling, Beck repeatedly called Underwood’s number against Oklahoma. His 38-yard touchdown run gave the Wolverines their first points and helped him finish with 87 rushing yards.

PFF liked what it saw, as Underwood earned a 72.0 overall grade and a 68.1 rushing grade. Of his 17 attempts for 94 yards, he was clocked at 69 yards after contact and forced eight missed tackles. He wasn’t spectacular through the air — completing 9-of-17 passes for 111 yards — but his 66.6 passing grade was a massive improvement over the 31.4 he received last week. Most importantly, he avoided the costly turnovers that plagued him in Week 1.

Hiter actually edged Underwood for Michigan’s highest offensive grade, and most of that was because of his work catching the ball. He caught three passes for 34 yards and earned an elite 93.8 receiving grade. That included an impressive 19-yard sideline reception during a second-quarter scoring drive.

Buchanan continued his strong start with a 68.1 overall grade and 69.3 receiving grade. He also came up with one of Michigan’s biggest offensive plays, hauling in a 36-yard reception on third down during the 91-yard drive that ended with Underwood’s touchdown.

Five Worst Offensive Grades (min. 5 snaps)

Jalen Hoffman — 44.6

Nathan Efobi — 45.2

Blake Frazier — 52.9

Channing Goodwin — 54.4

Brady Norton — 56.7

As encouraging as the result was, Michigan still has plenty to figure out offensively. The Wolverines earned just a 52.9 run-blocking grade, and that showed up when anybody other than Underwood tried to run the football. Marshall officially finished with 22 yards on 11 attempts, while Hiter gained eight yards on seven carries.

PFF’s individual numbers provide some context for why. Hoffman received a 41.7 run-blocking grade and Efobi finished at 45.7. Frazier came in at 55.8, Norton at 57.2, and Michigan collectively struggled to consistently create movement for its running backs.

The pass-blocking results were more encouraging. Michigan earned a 66.1 team grade there, led by Guarnera’s 79.7. Efobi also earned a 72.4 pass-blocking grade despite his rough overall performance. Norton (40.7) and Sprague (46.9), however, were both dinged individually in pass protection.

Defensive Snap Counts (snap count \ overall grade)

Dom Nichols — 50 \ 89.1

Troy Bowles — 60 \ 81.7

Jyaire Hill — 58 \ 81.1

Trey Pierce — 36 \ 78.4

Jonah Lea’ea — 19 \ 76.0

Aisea Moa — 19 \ 73.1

Nate Marshall — 13 \ 72.0

Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng — 18 \ 71.9

Chris Bracy — 61 \ 71.9

John Henry Daley — 52 \ 71.6

Tariq Boney — 1 \ 70.4

Nathaniel Staehling — 44 \ 69.1

Smith Snowden — 62 \ 68.5

Jordan Young — 4 \ 67.4

Benny Patterson III — 8 \ 64.2

Shamari Earls — 20 \ 63.1

Bobby Kanka — 7 \ 61.0

Rod Moore Jr. — 57 \ 59.5

Enow Etta — 39 \ 59.2

Cam Brandt — 6 \ 57.7

Zeke Berry — 28 \ 52.6

Chase Taylor — 45 \ 52.2

Mason Curtis — 8 \ 44.7

Five Best Defensive Grades (min. 5 snaps)

Dom Nichols — 89.1

Troy Bowles — 81.7

Jyaire Hill — 81.7

Trey Pierce — 78.4

Jonah Lea’ea — 76.0

Michigan’s defensive front made life miserable for John Mateer, and nobody graded better than Nichols. The junior earned an 89.1 overall grade and an elite 91.8 pass-rush grade. PFF credited him with seven pressures on 29 pass-rushing snaps, including three sacks and four hurries (by its charting).

Nichols certainly wasn’t alone. Michigan earned an 88.2 pass-rush grade as a team, and Daley was disruptive throughout the afternoon with a 71.6 overall grade and 69.1 pass-rush grade. PFF credited him with three pressures, and his third-down sack on Oklahoma’s opening possession immediately established a tone for Michigan’s defense.

The Wolverines were just as impressive against the run. Their 86.1 run-defense grade was their highest defensive category of the afternoon outside of pass rush. Bowles led the way with an 81.7 run-defense grade, while Staehling (79.9), Lea’ea (79.4), Hill (77.0) and Pierce (74.5) also graded well in that department.

Speaking of Hill, his fourth-quarter interception set up Marshall’s go-ahead touchdown. Hill finished with an 81.7 overall grade and a team-best 82.4 coverage grade, allowing zero receptions on two targets. Additionally, Snowden’s coverage numbers were impressive as well, as he was targeted five times and allowed zero receptions.

Five Worst Defensive Grades (min. 5 snaps)

Mason Curtis — 44.7

Chase Taylor — 52.2

Zeke Berry — 52.6

Cam Brandt — 57.7

Enow Etta — 59.2

It’s almost strange to see a defense that played this well receive a 44.2 tackling grade, but that was easily Michigan’s biggest blemish according to PFF.

Moore received a 27.4 tackling grade after PFF charged him with three missed tackles, while Etta came in at 28.7. Taylor also finished at 56.8 in tackling and received a 48.2 coverage grade.

Curtis played only eight snaps but finished with Michigan’s lowest defensive grade at 44.7, including a 42.2 blemish in coverage. Berry’s 52.6 overall grade was dragged down in part by a 47.7 run-defense grade, although he actually earned a strong 76.9 tackling grade.

These are small potatoes in what was an otherwise masterclass performance by the defense. Oklahoma managed just 10 points and 289 total yards, and converted just 3-of-13 on third down.

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