Analyzing Bryce Underwood’s Heisman Odds and Michigan Football Futures Following Spring Game

• What are Bryce Underwood’s odds to win the Heisman?
• Michigan fans got their first look at the top high-school recruit in Saturday’s spring game
• Read below for analysis on the freshman phenom and Michigan’s football futures

The University of Michigan football program concluded its spring practice with the annual Maize vs Blue Spring Game on Saturday night in Ann Arbor. As expected, all the talk following the game was about the quarterback.

Freshman QB Bryce Underwood, the nation’s top-rated high school recruit, led the Blue team to a 17-0 victory. It wasn’t always pretty from the 17-year-old. However, the youngster has garnered the attention of some sportsbooks. They are offering Heisman odds for the freshman.

Let’s dive into Underwood’s spring game and some of Michigan’s football futures, including Underwood’s Heisman odds.

Underwood Spring Performance & Stats

Underwood finished the game 12-of-26 passing for 187 yards. He connected with tight end Jalen Hoffman for an 88-yard touchdown pass on a reverse flea-flicker for the final play of the game. While his completion percentage wasn’t great, some of his passes were dropped by receivers.

The youngster made some impressive throws. This included a terrific throw down the sideline that should have been caught. However, Jamar Browder was unable to corral the ball.

Underwood also had some freshman moments. These included

• Recovering his own fumble
• Taking two delay-of-game penalties
• Making several errant throws that sailed high and wide
• Throwing one interception in the second quarter when targeting Channing Goodwin (Tevis Metcalf capitalized on the miscommunication)

In the rushing department, Underwood lost 12 yards on two sacks but gained 17 yards on three runs. He demonstrated nice mobility, escaping collapsing pockets to gain yardage with his feet.

Bryce Underwood Longshot in Heisman Odds

Underwood is currently a +5000 longshot in the Heisman odds. This implies there is just a 2% chance he wins the award. This might be even a little too bullish considering Underwood is competing for playing time against sophomore Jadyn Davis and Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene ahead of the season opener.

Heisman Odds 2025

There’s no guarantee Underwood wins the Michigan starting job. Even if he does, several factors work against him. The biggest historical hurdle for Underwood is that “no true freshman has ever won” the Heisman Trophy in its 90-year history.

Only two redshirt freshmen and six sophomores have ever claimed the award. Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M) became the first redshirt freshman quarterback to win in 2012. Jameis Winston (Florida State) followed in 2013. However, no true freshman has ever accomplished this feat.

For Underwood to have Heisman potential, Michigan’s offensive approach needs adjustment. Last season, the Wolverines had the No. 129 ranked passing offense in the nation before Underwood committed. This would need to improve substantially for a quarterback to post Heisman-worthy numbers.

I expect Michigan to throw the ball much more in 2025, especially if Underwood starts. Still, he doesn’t exactly have a Jeremiah Smith-like talent to toss the ball to, as the Wolverines aren’t known for recruiting top-of-the-line receivers.

Michigan Odds to Win Big Ten

If you aren’t into Heisman futures, college football conference championship odds are always worth exploring. After taking a step back under Sherrone Moore in 2024-25, the Wolverines have the fourth-best odds to reclaim the Big Ten throne in 2025.

Michigan’s defense is the primary reason they remain a viable Big Ten contender. Linebacker Ernest Hausmann, who had a standout 2024 season, chose to return rather than enter the NFL Draft. Edge rusher Derrick Moore, meanwhile, will be key to the UM defensive line after earning an All-Big Ten selection in 2024.

The Wolverines get a nice boost on offense with Alabama running back Justice Haynes transferring in from the south. Haynes recorded 79 carries for 448 yards and seven touchdowns while playing second fiddle at Bama in 2024.

Indiana wide receiver Donaven McCulley is another key transfer addition. McCulley had 48 catches for 644 yards and six touchdowns in 2023 before injuries limited him to just two catches for 21 yards in 2024. His 6-foot-4 frame gives Michigan an immediate playmaker.

Michigan won’t have as much talent as a team like Ohio State or Penn State. So, their success will hinge on Underwood and his transition to the collegiate level. We likely won’t know until we see this guy in Big Ten action. However, there is reason for optimism with Kirk Campbell taking over as OC, hoping to recreate the success he had at North Carolina with quarterback Drake Maye.

Michigan Win Total 2025

FanDuel set Michigan’s regular-season win total over/under at 8.5 wins. This means oddsmakers expect them to improve on their 2024 record, as bowl games typically don’t count towards a win total. The Wolverines had seven regular-season wins in 2024-25, plus a win against Alabama in the bowl game.

Michigan’s 2025 schedule sets up favorably for their Big Ten title chances. Out of 12 opponents on next year’s schedule, only one (Ohio State) posted a winning record in the regular season in 2024. This could benefit Michigan significantly, especially if it’s the true freshman Underwood at quarterback.

Head coach Sherrone Moore is entering his second year leading the program after a challenging debut campaign. A significant motivating factor for Michigan is their current winning streak against Ohio State. Their 13-10 victory in 2024 marked four consecutive wins over the Buckeyes, the program’s longest streak since 1988-91.

Michigan’s Big Ten Championship Outlook

Michigan’s chances to win the Big Ten in 2025 look promising given their favorable schedule, influx of talented transfers, and returning defensive stars. However, all this hinges on Underwood, and while the spring game offered glimpses of his potential, the real test comes when facing Big Ten competition.

I’m taking a wait-and-see approach with Michigan football futures in 2025. I won’t be betting on a true freshman winning the Heisman or leading his team to the national championship. That said, I’m potentially targeting the Over on UM’s win total depending on how the rest of the Big 10 takes shape following this second transfer portal window.

As the dust settles on Michigan’s annual spring game, all eyes are now turning towards the upcoming college football season. One player who has been generating a lot of buzz is quarterback Bryce Underwood, and many are wondering what his Heisman odds look like heading into the fall.

Underwood, a highly touted recruit out of high school, has shown flashes of brilliance in his limited playing time at Michigan. With a strong arm and impressive athleticism, he has the potential to be a game-changer for the Wolverines this season. However, his lack of experience at the college level could be a factor in his Heisman chances.

According to early projections, Underwood’s Heisman odds are currently sitting at around 20-1. While this may seem like a long shot, it’s not out of the realm of possibility for a talented player like Underwood to make a run at the prestigious award. If he can put together a strong season and lead Michigan to success, he could find himself in the Heisman conversation by the end of the year.

In addition to Underwood’s individual prospects, Michigan football as a whole is also looking promising heading into the fall. The team showed flashes of potential in the spring game, with the offense looking sharp and the defense showing improvement from last season. If they can build on this momentum and continue to improve throughout the offseason, they could be a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten.

Overall, while it’s still early in the offseason, there is reason for optimism surrounding both Bryce Underwood’s Heisman odds and Michigan football’s future. With a talented quarterback leading the way and a strong supporting cast around him, the Wolverines could be poised for a successful season in 2022. Fans will have to wait and see how things play out, but all signs point to an exciting year ahead for Michigan football.