Michigan clears up Bryce Underwood drama (sort of) with Kyle Whittingham quote
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ANN ARBOR, MI – If Kyle Whittingham’s comments about Bryce Underwood stirred up a quarterback controversy, well, the Michigan coach says that’s news to him.
Whittingham doesn’t live on social media, and he says he doesn’t read what’s written by the scribes — meaning no offense to the free press, of course.
“I hope you’re not offended that I don’t read your stuff,” Whittingham said, good-naturedly, to a room full of reporters after No. 24 Michigan upset No. 10 Oklahoma, 17-10. “I’m sure it’s witty.”
Recently, the press clippings were more biting.
"We probably deserved it," Whittingham acknowledged.
If Whittingham had gotten some ink on his fingertips ahead of this game, he would’ve noticed more than a few reporters interpreted the coach's comments about Underwood as a direct challenge to his sophomore starter. Whittingham sounded close to declaring Michigan’s quarterback job an open competition.
To which, Whittingham shrugs. He downplayed the idea that his comments put Underwood on notice.
“Whose job is ever etched in stone?” Whittingham said. “Do you guys all have guaranteed jobs? I don’t. I don’t know anyone in football who does.”
Kyle Whittingham: Bryce Underwood is Michigan's quarterback
So, what of it?
Is Whittingham considering benching the quarterback of his 2-0 team?
“Bryce is our quarterback,” Whittingham said, “and that’s where we are.”
That's a more direct, affirmative tune than Whittingham struck just a few days ago.
In the aftermath of Michigan needing an assist from a Big Ten replay booth to beat Western Michigan, 13-12, Whittingham described Underwood as the team's quarterback "right now," but added "it’s not something that’s infinite."
Quarterback controversy? Sounded like it, even if Underwood's backup is an untested freshman, Tommy Carr.
A win against a top-10 opponent tends to quiet controversy.
Whittingham didn't hint at a QB change after this win.
Michigan still needs more from Bryce Underwood
Michigan didn’t ask Underwood to throw it much against Oklahoma. He completed just two passes after halftime for 15 yards and completed nine passes in the entire game.
The Wolverines adhered to the run-heavy plan. Michigan figured that would be the best way to attack Oklahoma, a team expected to have a premier defense. Underwood contributed a team-high 87 rushing yards.
“The game plan was to win the game, so that’s what we did,” said Underwood. Never the most loquacious quarterback, he stuck to brief, matter-of-fact responses in his postgame remarks. “So, I would say we accomplished our game plan.”
How did Underwood react to the coach's comments in the run-up to this game? Like the "stand-up guy" he is, Whittingham said.
Still, this cannot be the final version of Michigan's pass game if the Wolverines are to survive and thrive against a schedule that includes games against Penn State, Oregon and Ohio State.
“We need to get the throw game into a higher gear and get more production there," Whittingham said. "He’s got even more (in the tank). If we can see an upward trajectory throughout the year, we’re going to be real tough to beat, at some point.”
At what point?
Underwood has started 15 career games after signing a rich deal with Michigan as a five-star recruit. His legs remain much more reliable than his arm.
Can Michigan keep winning rock fights in this manner when the Big Ten schedule starts? Whittingham doesn't want to exclusively depend on that.
“There’s going to be weeks where we’ve got to be able to throw the ball a lot better than we’re throwing it right now,” Whittingham said. “That will be a point of emphasis.”
And when Michigan requires that uptick in the pass game, will it be Underwood or Carr throwing the passes?
Whittingham won’t read this — no offense to me, he’d say — but if he did, he’d read that Michigan’s coach doesn’t sound ready to bench his quarterback.
"Much better," Whittingham said of Underwood's week-over-week performance.
Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's senior national college football columnist. Listen to his podcast, "College Football Unfiltered." Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michigan clears up Bryce Underwood drama (sort of) with Kyle Whittingham quote
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