‘It Looks Like He’s Seeing Ghosts,’ ‘He’s Rattled and Lost’ — CFB Coaches Sound the Alarm on Michigan QB Bryce Underwood Ahead of Oklahoma Clash
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Bryce Underwood became one of Week 1’s biggest stories after his shaky performance in a win over Western Michigan.
Soon after, the Michigan Wolverines coach Kyle Whittingham weighed in on Underwood’s job security. And now, more college coaches are raising questions about the Michigan quarterback.
CFB Coaches Address Bryce Underwood’s Situation with the Michigan Wolverines
Underwood struggled in Michigan’s 13-12 escape against Western Michigan. Through the air, he never found much rhythm, completing just 11 of 21 passes for 123 yards, excluding the Hail Mary attempt.
Whittingham was asked about the quarterback’s future, and his take raised some concerns.
“He’s our QB right now, and it’s not something that’s infinite,” Whittingham said. “At some point, we’ve got to turn a corner.”
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However, Underwood remains nonchalant about Whittingham’s comments.
Then, The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman revealed that a defensive coach who faced the quarterback watched Saturday’s game and found his performance “all out of sorts.”
“Is he pressing? I’m sure he is,” the coach said. “He doesn’t play quarterback, if that makes sense. The kid doesn’t have a feel for things-maybe that’s because this is his second system, and at least for now, that’s put him in a deeper hole, where he looks like he doesn’t really know what he’s doing. Like he’s rattled and like he’s lost. He stares down receivers, and you see a lot of bad decision-making.”
Feldman also shared that a Big Ten defensive coach whose team faced Underwood in 2025 discussed what could await the quarterback.
“Oklahoma put a lot of stuff on tape (to defend Underwood) for the playbook last year,” the coach said.
That warning becomes even more notable with the Oklahoma Sooners next on Michigan’s schedule. The coach believes Brent Venables’ defense could create serious problems for Underwood.
“(Sooners coach Brent) Venables exposed him. Underwood struggles with all that variance that Venables loves to do. They have so much volume of stuff, and guys are getting calls in late. It’s almost like OU can be too exotic with all they’re doing, but even if they cut (a Michigan receiver) loose, I don’t know if Underwood could find him. It looks like he’s seeing ghosts. This is not a great matchup for him.”
Underwood’s freshman season was relatively underwhelming. He finished No. 79 in PFN’s CFB QB Impact rankings, while expectations rose after Michigan fired Sherrone Moore and hired Whittingham.
Many expected the new staff to unlock another level in Underwood’s game. So far, though, that jump has not arrived.
Still, Michigan could adjust how it uses Underwood against the Sooners.
One defensive backs coach believes Whittingham’s staff may lean more heavily on the quarterback’s legs.
“I think (Whittingham’s staff) is gonna run him a lot more now,” the Big Ten DB coach added. “You’ll see QB power, QB counter, more downhill runs-all the plays they did at Utah last year.”
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That approach could make sense after Underwood did well on the ground against Western Michigan. He ran 9 times for 47 yards and a touchdown.
Underwood also shared that he spent the week correcting those mistakes,hoping to show progress in the next games.
So now, the spotlight shifts to Michigan Stadium, where the Wolverines face the Sooners today at 12 p.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
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