Up to date Sept. 12, 2026, 9:49 p.m. ET
- Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham downplayed any quarterback controversy with Bryce Underwood.
- Whittingham confirmed Underwood is the staff’s beginning QB after a 17-10 victory over Oklahoma.
- The teaching employees acknowledges the passing sport might want to enhance for future success within the Massive Ten.
ANN ARBOR, MI – If Kyle Whittingham’s feedback about Bryce Underwood stirred up a quarterback controversy, nicely, the Michigan coach says that’s information to him.
Whittingham doesn’t stay on social media, and he says he doesn’t learn what’s written by the scribes — that means no offense to the free press, in fact.
“I hope you’re not offended that I don’t learn your stuff,” Whittingham stated, good-naturedly, to a room stuffed with reporters after No. 24 Michigan upset No. 10 Oklahoma, 17-10. “I’m positive it’s witty.”
Lately, the press clippings had been extra biting.
“We in all probability deserved it,” Whittingham acknowledged.
If Whittingham had gotten some ink on his fingertips forward of this sport, he would’ve seen various reporters interpreted the coach’s feedback about Underwood as a direct problem to his sophomore starter. Whittingham sounded near declaring Michigan’s quarterback job an open competitors.
To which, Whittingham shrugs. He downplayed the concept his feedback put Underwood on discover.
“Whose job is ever etched in stone?” Whittingham stated. “Do you guys all have assured jobs? I don’t. I don’t know anybody in soccer who does.”
Kyle Whittingham: Bryce Underwood is Michigan’s quarterback
So, what of it?
Is Whittingham contemplating benching the quarterback of his 2-0 staff?
“Bryce is our quarterback,” Whittingham stated, “and that’s the place we’re.”
That is a extra direct, affirmative tune than Whittingham struck just some days in the past.
Within the aftermath of Michigan needing an help from a Massive Ten replay sales space to beat Western Michigan, 13-12, Whittingham described Underwood because the staff’s quarterback “proper now,” however added “it’s not one thing that’s infinite.”
Quarterback controversy? Sounded prefer it, even when Underwood’s backup is an untested freshman, Tommy Carr.
A win in opposition to a top-10 opponent tends to quiet controversy.
Whittingham did not trace at a QB change after this win.
Michigan nonetheless wants extra from Bryce Underwood
Michigan didn’t ask Underwood to throw it a lot in opposition to Oklahoma. He accomplished simply two passes after halftime for 15 yards and accomplished 9 passes in all the sport.
The Wolverines adhered to the run-heavy plan. Michigan figured that will be one of the simplest ways to assault Oklahoma, a staff anticipated to have a premier protection. Underwood contributed a team-high 87 dashing yards.
“The sport plan was to win the sport, in order that’s what we did,” stated Underwood. By no means probably the most loquacious quarterback, he caught to temporary, matter-of-fact responses in his postgame remarks. “So, I’d say we achieved our sport plan.”
How did Underwood react to the coach’s feedback within the run-up to this sport? Just like the “stand-up man” he’s, Whittingham stated.
Nonetheless, this can’t be the ultimate model of Michigan’s move sport if the Wolverines are to outlive and thrive in opposition to a schedule that features video games in opposition to Penn State, Oregon and Ohio State.
“We have to get the throw sport into a better gear and get extra manufacturing there,” Whittingham stated. “He’s acquired much more (within the tank). If we will see an upward trajectory all year long, we’re going to be actual powerful to beat, in some unspecified time in the future.”
At what level?
Underwood has began 15 profession video games after signing a wealthy take care of Michigan as a five-star recruit. His legs stay far more dependable than his arm.
Can Michigan preserve successful rock fights on this method when the Massive Ten schedule begins? Whittingham does not wish to completely rely on that.
“There’s going to be weeks the place we’ve acquired to have the ability to throw the ball quite a bit higher than we’re throwing it proper now,” Whittingham stated. “That will likely be some extent of emphasis.”
And when Michigan requires that uptick within the move sport, will or not it’s Underwood or Carr throwing the passes?
Whittingham received’t learn this — no offense to me, he’d say — but when he did, he’d learn that Michigan’s coach doesn’t sound able to bench his quarterback.
“A lot better,” Whittingham stated of Underwood’s week-over-week efficiency.
Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Community’s senior nationwide school soccer columnist. Take heed to his podcast, “School Soccer Unfiltered.” Electronic mail him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and observe him on X @btoppmeyer.
