⚡ CFB Dashboard

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — As the Michigan football team streamed onto the field following its 52-17 win over UTEP, its fans were a little more relieved than the score might have suggested.  Because while the Wolverines scored 38 unanswered points in the game, and out-gained the Miners, 308-32 after each team's opening four drives, the first eight drives of the game revealed a growing problem for Michigan, one that put the Wolverines in a 14-7 hole. On the Wolverines' first drive, Bryce Underwood fumbled on a sack, his fifth of the season, and UTEP responded with a touchdown drive. Then in the second quarter, Savion Hiter fumbled on a four-yard carry up the middle deep in Michigan territory. One play later, the Miners took a 14-7 lead on an 18-yard touchdown pass.  As a result, Michigan was up against the ropes against a team that went 2-10 last season, and lost to Oklahoma, 51-0 earlier this month. The Wolverines deserve credit and to celebrate for eventually coming back and pulling away, but they also know that, against any of their remaining opponents, two fumbles could prove disastrous.  "We have put the ball on the ground six times in three games, which is way too excessive," Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham said Monday. "We've got to continue to work on that. That's a really slow start. This past Saturday (being close) was due to two of the first four possessions putting the ball on the ground and losing those fumbles. We've got to get that corrected.  "You can't win a championship or even hope to be in the mix with that type of putting the ball on the ground that often." Both on Saturday after the game and on Monday, Whittingham was quick to point out that Indiana's 2025 national championship team last fall only lost one fumble in 16 games. And of the top-15 teams in last year's AP Poll, seven of them finished in the top 13 nationally with four fumbles or fewer all season.  But through three games, Michigan already ranks 120th nationally with six fumbles, and is tied for 127th nationally with four lost fumbles. It's an unsustainable formula for the Wolverines, and Whittingham knows it.  "We emphasize it every single day," Whittingham said. "There's nothing we can do more in that regard. We're teaching it, we're coaching it. The expectations are the same each day.  "… There's a reason why you win championships, and taking care of the football is a really good start with it." Though Whittingham emphasized that the fumbles (which don't include Andrew Marsh's muffed punt in week one) are a team issue, it could be argued that it's a Bryce Underwood issue until proven otherwise.  The sophomore quarterback is among four players in the country with five fumbles so far, according to Pro Football Focus, and he know has eight in his last nine starts. Not all of them were Underwood's fault, to be fair. But for an elite running quarterback, and one that Whittingham said they took extra care to not let get tackled in fall camp, Michigan will need better ball security from Underwood as Big Ten play heats up.  "You don't hit him in practice, but every time he tucks the ball in the line, you want high and tight, wrist above elbow, elbow tight, all the buzzwords you use for ball security," Whittingham said. "It's something we're constantly preaching, and not just Bryce, the entire offense. It's something that is never not addressed. It's addressed every practice. Every time there's an issue with it, we point it out. Hopefully we can get that shored up." Michigan doesn't get a ramp-up period for this, either. The Wolverines will open Big Ten play against No. 17 Iowa, a team known for stingy defenses that has ranked in the top 35 in forced fumbles per game in three of the last four seasons. That game, played at Michigan Stadium, will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET, and air on CBS.