Michigan Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore is zeroed in on handling business against the Maryland Terrapins in College Park this Saturday to keep their College Football Playoff and Big Ten title hopes alive with the home finale around the corner against the unbeaten No. 1-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten) in Ann Arbor.
Even though the focus for the Wolverines (8-2, 6-1 Big Ten) is to keep the season rolling, Moore said he has been impressed with his freshman quarterback, Bryce Underwood's development, even with in-game mistakes in a win this past Saturday against the Northwestern Wildcats (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten).
"Everybody's very aware of what we need to fix and what we need to do," Moore told reporters Monday. "There's a lot of positives in the game. With Bryce, people talk about the turnovers, but I hope people talk about that throw to Andrew Marsh. Not just the first one that led to a touchdown, but the second one that led to a game-winning field goal. The third-down run that he had on third-and-five to escape to make sure we get a field goal."
Ultimately, Moore said the clutch gene about Underwood's game is beginning to shine through with more on the horizon.
"So, there were some heroic plays that young man made in the game that people need to highlight."
Should Underwood pick up where he left off last week with a few more big-time plays to give the Wolverines an opportunity to beat the Terrapins (4-6, 1-6 Big Ten), the narrative may shift as a matter of fact.
But, for now, to earn that respect, the Wolverines must keep their foot on the gas pedal.
The same applies to Underwood.