Bryce Underwood struggled in Michigan’s season opener vs. Western Michigan.

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Typically, the first week of college football doesn’t tell us a lot. Teams usually handle business against lesser competition as they prepare for their season to kick into gear. However, this was no ordinary Week 1. So, after a chaotic start to the season, let’s go over some Big Ten takeaways and questions that we are left with.

Does Michigan have a Bryce Underwood problem?

Whether you think Western Michigan was robbed or that the refs made the correct decision, there is no doubting that Week 1 went about the worst that Michigan could have hoped for.

Now, after dropping completely out of the AP Top 25 rankings, they are left with some difficult questions before they welcome Oklahoma to the Big House this Saturday, the most important being their quarterback.

Before the Hail Mary, he was 11-for-21 for 123 yards and an interception. He consistently made bad reads, didn’t seem comfortable and looked far too similar to how he looked in his freshman season. Whittingham has made it clear that Underwood will continue to be the starter, but his starts may be numbered if he can’t make improvements soon.

Who can threaten the big dogs of the conference?

There’s no question there is a stark power divide in the Big Ten. You’ve got the top dogs in Ohio State, Indiana and Oregon, and then there’s everyone else. This is a question we won’t have a clear answer to for a while, but it seems like there is a clear frontrunner.

USC has looked great so far. Jayden Maaiva is off to an explosive start to the season, freshman receivers Trent Mosley and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt have been as advertised, and Gary Patterson’s defense is off to a great start.

The real test will come against Oregon on Sept. 26. This game will go a long way in deciding whether USC really has a chance to threaten the power balance in the conference and make a push for the playoff.

Rough start for the “best conference in college football”

There were lots of conversations this offseason about where the power lies in the sport, and many did not hesitate in saying that the Big Ten, after three consecutive national championships, is the best conference in college football.

That argument lost credibility this weekend. Rutgers got blown out by UMass, Oregon played Boise State close, Illinois started slow against UAB and Michigan got away by the skin of its teeth against Western Michigan.

Some of it can be chalked up to Week 1 rust, but with the SEC going 16-0 in Week 1, the Big Ten needs to answer the bell this weekend.

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