Following a lackluster performance in a wild 13-12 win over Western Michigan, Bryce Underwood's place atop Michigan's quarterback depth chart isn't a certainty. Coach Kyle Whittingham said as much at his Monday press conference, but it was apparently news to Underwood himself. Underwood took the podium just days before a major showdown against No. 11 Oklahoma in Ann Arbor, and he was asked about Whittingham's comments.
Clearly taken aback, Underwood didn't seem aware that his place on the depth chart was in question at all. "There was comments about that?" Underwood said. I didn't see that." Pressed for his reaction, Underwood tried to downplay the situation again.
Oh my.Bryce Underwood looks thrilled after learning of Kyle Whittingham's words about QB1 ... pic.twitter.com/0tcA9utmB2 In the Wolverines' season-opener, Underwood displayed many of the same issues that plagued him as a freshman last season. He completed just 54.5 percent of his passes for 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Much of that production came in the form of a 47-yard Hail Mary on the final play of the game.
Underwood also turned the ball over twice, and both missteps resulted in points for Western Michigan. That prompted questions about Underwood's job security on Monday, and Whittingham didn't exactly give his quarterback a ringing endorsement. "He's our quarterback right now.
It's not something that's infinite," Whittingham said. "We need to see improvement with a bunch of stuff... it's not just Bryce's job that's set in concrete. Nobody's job is." There has been a lot of noise surrounding Michigan in the wake of Week 1, due to the controversial manner in which the game ended and because of Underwood's struggles.
Underwood said he's avoided all of that by stepping back from social media. "I haven't been on social media since fall camp, so there's not much to talk about, really," Underwood said. Underwood faces a big challenge as he looks to rebound in Week 2.
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