The Michigan Wolverines have a big game to open Big Ten play this Saturday.
They're set to play the Nebraska Cornhuskers after going 2-1 during non-conference play to start the year. Head coach Sherrone Moore won't be on the sideline for this game since he's finishing up serving a two-game suspension due to the school's signing-stealing scandal. He missed last Saturday's game against the Central Michigan Chippewas.
Even though Moore will miss this Saturday's game, Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports writes that some Wolverines fans may think it's good news.
"Michigan will be without Sherrone Moore again for this game as he continues to serve a two-game suspension stemming from Michigan's sign-stealing scandal. Some Michigan fans may consider this good news because [Bryce] Underwood looked to have a longer leash last week with Biff Poggi running the show," Fornelli writes.
Underwood, who is the starting quarterback of the Wolverines, enjoyed a great outing against the Chippewas last Saturday. He completed 16-of-25 passes for 235 yards through the air, one touchdown, and one interception. His best individual statistical performance so far came in week one against New Mexico when he completed 21-of-31 passes for 251 yards through the air and one touchdown.
For the season, Underwood has 628 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception as a freshman. Per 247Sports composite rankings, he was the top recruit in the country for the 2025 recruiting class. Michigan had the sixth-best recruiting class in the country for this year, per 247Sports.
Michigan's win against Central Michigan got the program up to No. 21 in the latest AP top 25 poll that was released on Sunday. It comes one week after Michigan's setback against Oklahoma in Norman, when College GameDay was there. Michigan was the No. 23 team in the country after losing in Norman.
There are currently five Big Ten teams (Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon, Illinois, and Indiana) ahead of Michigan in the new AP poll.
If Michigan can take down Nebraska on the road, there's a good chance the program will move into the top 20 going into the next week of games.
After this Saturday's game in Lincoln, Michigan will get its head coach back for the program's October 4 game against Wisconsin. Michigan will have a week off on September 27 before playing Wisconsin in Ann Arbor.
Associate head coach Biff Poggi has been Michigan's interim head coach while Moore is suspended. Poggi is in his first year as associate head coach after spending the previous two seasons as head coach at Charlotte. He compiled a 6-16 record before he was let go with two games left last year.
Getting Moore back for the stretch run of the season could be huge for Michigan since they're trying to win the Big Ten and make the College Football Playoff this year.
Kickoff for this Saturday's Michigan-Nebraska contest from Lincoln will be at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+.