Steve Curtis- Critical Matchup: Michigan’s JJ Buchanan vs Oklahoma’s Secondary

Steve Curtis | September 9th, 2026

Michigan’s offense struggled throughout its season opener, but Bryce Underwood’s athleticism and JJ Buchanan’s production give the Wolverines two players capable of creating problems for Oklahoma.

Buchanan was Michigan’s only dependable downfield weapon against Western Michigan.

The 6-foot-4 wideout caught six passes for 126 yards, including the 47-yard touchdown that allowed Michigan to escape with a 13-12 victory. He accounted for half of Underwood’s completions and was targeted on nine of his 22 pass attempts.

Michigan’s second-leading receiver was running back Jordan Marshall with just 17 yards.

That leaves Oklahoma with a clear priority: Take away Buchanan and force someone else to beat its secondary.

Courtland Guillory and Eli Bowen give the Sooners one of the SEC’s best cornerback tandems. However, Buchanan’s size presents a different challenge outside, particularly on contested balls downfield.

Peyton Bowen and Michael Boganowski can provide support over the top, making it more difficult for Buchanan to create another explosive play.

But for Oklahoma to focus its coverage on Buchanan, the Sooners must first eliminate Michigan’s running game.

The Wolverines rushed for 106 yards on 25 carries against Western Michigan, but Underwood produced 47 of them. Marshall and Savion Hiter combined for just 59 yards on 16 attempts, while Michigan’s offensive line struggled to create consistent movement inside.

That matchup should favor Oklahoma.

The Sooners held UTEP to 112 rushing yards, with most of the damage coming through missed tackles rather than consistent movement at the line of scrimmage.

If Oklahoma cleans up its tackling and contains Underwood on scrambles, Michigan will be forced to move the football through the air.

That would allow the Sooners to surround Buchanan and force Michigan’s only proven downfield weapon to win against an experienced secondary.

That is where the turnovers could come.

Underwood completed 12 of 22 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception while losing a fumble. Five of his 26 dropbacks produced turnover-worthy plays, including four without pressure.

Oklahoma forced two turnovers and recorded four sacks against UTEP despite facing only 18 pass attempts.

The formula is straightforward.

Stop Michigan’s running backs. Keep Underwood inside the pocket. Surround Buchanan and force the Wolverines’ other receivers into roles they have not proven they can handle.

If Oklahoma does all three, Underwood will have to repeatedly challenge an experienced secondary that should hold the advantage.