Biff Poggi quick-hitters: Michigan football updates ahead of Nebraska

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan Wolverines football interim head coach Biff Poggi held his Monday press conference ahead of this weekend’s tilt at Nebraska. Here are bullet points with the most notable things he said.

Biff Poggi quick-hitters

• Graduate EDGE TJ Guy didn’t play against Central Michigan but is “fine,” and the reason why he didn’t get time, per Poggi, is because the Chippewas are a run-heavy team and the Wolverines wanted to get bigger bodies in the game.

• Graduate safety Rod Moore could’ve played against Central Michigan, and Poggi believes he’ll make his season debut this weekend. He noted that there will be rust to shake off and that Michigan will manage his reps and make sure he’s not put in “bad positions.”

• There’s a “good chance” junior right guard Brady Norton returns this weekend. Sophomore Jake Guarnera played very well in his absence, Poggi mentioned.

• Poggi was asked how he got connected with Michigan. He was a high school coach in the Baltimore area, and his son, fullback Henry Poggi, played for the Wolverines. He said one night during a Wednesday bible study, Poggi received a call from former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, who asked him to join the staff. The two met in Harbaugh’s hotel room at the Jan. 1, 2015 Citrus Bowl, a win over Florida, and were demonstrating offensive line blocking on a dresser. He joined the staff, left and came back, became the head coach at Charlotte in 2023 and returned for his third stint at Michigan under head man Sherrone Moore ahead of this season.

• “It takes a while to learn about your team,” Poggi said when asked what changed between when Moore was reluctant to run freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood and the 6-foot-4, 228-pounder being let loose with his legs in the Central Michigan game. Poggi said that “you have to let your players play, so we’re letting ’em play — all of them.”

• Poggi said “everything stacks” when asked about what Underwood learned from the 24-13 loss at Oklahoma, playing in a tough road environment, two weeks ago. He said that there may not be a tougher place to play than Nebraska and that Underwood needs to “just be Bryce, not play against the stadium.”

• The reason why it was emotional that Moore had to leave the team due to suspension is because he’s “so well loved” within the program. His absence has left an “enormous void in the building.”

• Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola is “really good.” Poggi thought he was “great” in high school, and that he’s “very polished and very dangerous.”

• Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson has “ridiculous” ability to gain yards after contact, and he has “unbelievable balance.” The offensive line is “physical,” the wide receivers are good at bodying up, and the defense is “stout as can be.”

• Poggi doesn’t want to be a full-time head coach again.

• When asked if Underwood has the “green light” to run against Nebraska, Poggi said he has the “Green light to do whatever he wants.” The Wolverines can coach him to slide, but “this kid’s a football player,” and will take on some contact.

• Michigan will “clean up” its punt return woes.

• Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule — the former head coach of the Carolina Panthers in the NFL — was the first person to call Poggi after he got the job as the Charlotte 49ers’ head coach in 2023. The two have a good relationship, Poggi knows a lot of staffers for the Huskers and he plans to text Rhule today.

• Michigan junior running back Justice Haynes is “ultra competitive,” and he “wants the football, wants the football, wants the football.” Poggi said as coaches they want him to have the ball, too, and that if he’s not the best back in the country, he’s one of them.

• Poggi coached senior linebacker Jaishawn Barham in high school, and said he’s a “quiet” person who “doesn’t say much,” but that he’s a “beautiful kid” and a “deep thinker.” He has great EQ.