“Michigan TE Zack Marshall knows it won’t feel right that HC Sherrone Moore won’t be coaching on Saturday, but will be playing for him and feels this could be a p—-d off team,” reporter Brice Marich had summed up the frustration simmering at the Wolverines’ locker room last weekend. The reason? NCAA’s hammer struck on Michigan’s sign-stealing episode, and Sherrone Moore went off the board to serve his two-game suspension. But while Michigan’s associate head coach, Biff Poggi, took over the reins as an interim head coach, the players remained unconvinced.

The 24-13 loss against Oklahoma was salvaged by a dominant 63-3 win over Central Michigan. The sting of Moore’s absence lifted, as an emotional roster headed by Poggi went to the locker room with all smiles. Poggi had let out to the players, “I don’t want you playing for me. I want you playing for yourselves,” and they did. Running back Justin Haynes was beaming with joy over the new head coach and made a candid confession.

“RB Justice Haynes says Biff Poggi is awesome and loves him. Spends a lot of time with him and obviously [RBs coach] Tony Alford,” Michigan insider Brice Marich reported. This comes after Poggi praised Haynes during a Michigan presser, calling him “ultra competitive,” “very bright,” having “unbelievable athletic skills,” and someone who “wants the football.” So, the connection is mutual, which is very crucial for a team and its well-being. The healthy relationship was also reflected in Haynes’ performance, who capped off 104 yards with 14 carries and a score against Central Chippewas.

And Week 3 win saw a significant narrative shift in the locker room – which gained the trust lost in Bryce Underwood. Sherrone Moore’s $12 million gamble in Bryce Underwood grabbed headlines when the freshman quarterback and RB Haynes exchanged heated words on the sidelines against Oklahoma. The issue? A late lead led to a poor 13-24 loss against Brent Venables‘ Oklahoma Sooners.

But Underwood drew his redemption arc over Central Michigan. Over the weeks, the concern loomed large over the run game of the dual-threat quarterback. And during the Oklahoma clash, the locker room appeared to lose confidence in the leader of the offense, as Bryce stuttered to complete merely 9-for-24 passes for 142 yards. But the win against Central Michigan saw an explosive run design by the freshman QB1, putting the criticism down the drain, and Poggi has made a bold statement.

Biff Poggi gets candid on Bryce Underwood’s admission

Former tight end Jake Butt took a trip to the Wolverines’ fall camp and gave positive intel on Underwood’s capabilities. “There’s not a throw that Chip Lindsey is going to ask of him that he can’t make,” as the freshman oozed with confidence entering the 2025 season, “They’ve seen a lot of freshmen, but I feel like nobody’s seen a freshman like me.” 

But Underwood’s run design made the loudest noise at Michigan Stadium. So, was it an intentional design? Poggi cut through the clatter. “It was a plan to get him using his legs a little more, but I mean, I have a Labrador retriever that could coach that guy. He’s unbelievable.” He threw for 251 yards, rushed for 114 yards, and chipped in three touchdowns onto his resume. He leaned on his strengths and pulled off a major victory for the Wolverines.

And Poggi is more than eager to let Underwood trust his instincts. “HC Biff Poggi says QB Bryce Underwood has a green light to do whatever he wants if he wants to run or not during a play. They want to let their playmakers be playmakers.” Brice Marich wrote on X.

Before the 2025 season, there were pressing concerns looming large in the Ann Arbor skies. The reason? J.J. McCarthy had left for the NFL after winning the 2023 national championship cup. The burden of the quarterback gig, then, was shouldered by Davis Warren, Alex Orji, and Jack Tuttle. But the offense buckled. And all eyes are set on Bryce to provide some respite. Moving into week 4, he is going confidently: “We’re a dominant team.“