Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore escaped Wrigley Field with a 24-22 win over the Northwestern Wildcats, a week without hearing any hot-seat rumors, and hopes of making the College Football Playoff still alive.
Amid what’s been, on paper, a successful season, but one that’s also felt disappointing for Wolverine fans because of the unimpressive wins over bad Big Ten teams, Michigan has lost just twice, and to ranked teams. Bryce Underwood was overwhelmed by one of the best defenses in the country during a 24-13 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners and a 31-13 beatdown at the hands of the USC Trojans.
As Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger notes, though, the Wolverines control their own destiny the rest of the way against the Maryland Terrapins and Ohio State Buckeyes. Win both games, and Michigan is back in the CFP.
“Wolverines are far from perfect but they control their own destiny to the playoff,” Dellenger said after they narrowly avoided catastrophe against Northwestern.
Sherrone Moore barely escaped catastrophe as Bryce Underwood slips up
Things could’ve been a lot worse for Moore. It’s not as though things are going smoothly now. The Maize and Blue faithful were ready to ditch his playmaking as Bryce Underwood made key mistakes that nearly lost them the game.
Underwood was largely spectacular, amassing 280 passing yards and calling his own number for another 30 on the ground. He got a huge assist from running back Jordan Marshall, who rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns. But his mistakes, namely, two untimely interceptions in the fourth quarter, would be viewed differently if Michigan didn’t come away from Chicago with a win. Underwood would likely, and unfairly, be labeled a bust right now if Dominic Zvada’s game-winning kick doesn’t split the uprights.
All is well, though. The Go Blue brand lives to fight another day.
Beat Maryland, and this season is undoubtedly a success for Michigan. Win the next two, and Moore is all of a sudden a miracle worker.
How close he was to things going the complete opposite direction on Saturday.