Michigan opened the season with a 1‑0 record, but the victory over Western Michigan was far from convincing. While the defense shut out the Broncos, the offense stumbled, particularly with quarterback Bryce Underwood, whose performance drew sharp criticism.
Wide receiver JJ Buchanan emerged as the lone bright spot, but the overall offensive production remained lackluster, underscoring concerns about the team's ability to sustain drives.
FOX analyst Joel Klatt questioned the durability of Underwood’s spot, asking how long the Wolverines can watch a quarterback who consistently fails to meet expectations.
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham, who watched the game three times, insisted the offensive line was not the primary problem, yet he acknowledged Underwood’s erratic play and the need for greater consistency in live action.
Coaching Staff Evaluates Underwood's Future
Whittingham noted that Underwood showed improvement during fall practice, but the true test remains the upcoming Saturday showdown against Oklahoma, followed by a week later matchup with UTEP.
If Underwood falters again, Michigan may opt to bench him for the third week and give backup Tommy Carr a chance, a move that could be complicated by the quarterback’s NIL earnings and the coaching staff’s mixed commitment to his development.
The possibility of a coaching change looms if the performance does not improve, despite Underwood’s previous development under the staff.