Michigan football's controversial miracle win over Western Michigan in Week 1 can't disguise the pressure facing Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood.
A five-star recruit with a hefty NIL price tag, much was expected from Underwood. His freshman season was underwhelming (11 touchdowns, nine interceptions). His 2026 debut only increased the skepticism about Underwood's ability to be the star QB he was projected to be.
The 19-year-old sophomore, struggled mightily Saturday against Western Michigan. The performance was far worse than his final stat line: 12 of 22 passes completed for 170 yards, one
touchdown, one interception and one lost fumble that should've been the dagger.
According to Pro Football Focus, Underwood had five turnover-worthy plays and zero big-time throws. He graded as U-M's lowest offensive player (35.8) on the site and his passing grade (31.4) was the second-worst mark of 110 qualified quarterbacks who dropped back at least 20 times in Week 1.
“I had a few [missed assignments],” Underwood said after the game. “[That] could have cost us a game, so got to do better on my behalf.”
On Monday, first-year Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham was asked about Underwood's status as the team's starting quarterback, with former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr's grandson Tommy Carr waiting in the wings.
"He's our QB, and you know it's not something that's infinite," Whittingham said of Underwood. "I mean at some point you've gotta turn the corner, and we've got to see improvement, as we do with a bunch of stuff. You'll see improvement out of the coaches, and so it's not just on Bryce, but and it's not just Bryce's job that is not absolutely set in concrete, nobody's is. So he's got to perform week in and week out and become somebody that we feel like is playing at a level we can win with, and that goes far beyond Bryce. It goes throughout the whole team. And so it's what you've done lately is very important."
The calls amongst the Wolverines faithful to give Carr a shot are growing louder, and Whittingham pointed out this offseason the work Carr was putting in to be ready when and if his number was called.
“I’m in the facility at 10 at night, and I walk by the quarterback room, and there’s Tommy Carr watching film all by himself,” Whittingham told USA TODAY Sports in April. “He’s completely immersed in his development as far as trying to get better.”
As for Underwood, he was given an "A-plus" grade at one point in preseason camp. Offensive coordinator Jason Beck said Underwood had "13 good practices" after the team's 13th practice in August. The difference from spring was said to be "night and day."
Whittingham was asked Monday why what coaches have seen in practice hasn't translated to Saturdays.
"It's unfortunate and disappointing," he said. "We see him every day. He's been very sharp all through fall camp, and so we don't have a great explanation right now hopefully we see improvement from Game 1 to Game 2 in live action."
Game 2 is next week against Oklahoma, where you can expect Sooners coach Brent Venables to unleash a defense that will test Underwood in ways Western Michigan's didn't.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Bryce Underwood be benched? What Kyle Whittingham said about Michigan QB
