Although the night ended in glory, everything leading up to Bryce Underwood’s Hail Mary that gave Michigan a 13-12 win over Western Michigan was a very tough watch for Wolverines fans.
Now, after head coach Kyle Whittingham discussed Underwood’s play and status as the team’s starting quarterback, reactions have been mixed, to say the least.
Fans React to Bryce Underwood, Michigan, After Kyle Whittingham’s Comments
Trailing 12-7, Underwood’s Hail Mary went incomplete, but officials reviewed it and awarded Michigan one more play. Underwood completed the last-ditch attempt to JJ Buchanan, giving the Wolverines an improbable win.
Despite the game-winning play, Underwood completed just 12-of-22 passes for 170 yards with that touchdown and an interception. That 170 yards, of course, includes the 47-yard winner that possibly should not have ever happened.
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After the game, Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham, in his first season with the Wolverines, was asked about Underwood’s job security.
“He’s our QB right now,” Whittingham said. “And it’s not something that’s infinite. At some point, we’ve got to turn a corner and we’ve got to see improvement, as we do with a lot of stuff; you’ve got to see improvement out of the coaches, so it’s not just on Bryce. And it’s not just Bryce’s job that is not absolutely set in concrete. You’ve got to perform week in and week out and become somebody that is playing at a level we can win with.”
The Wolverines have been banking on Underwood’s talent, and although it’s obviously there, it just hasn’t translated to offensive success for the quarterback or Michigan yet.
Oregon Updates came after Underwood, saying he makes former Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy good.
“Bryce Underwood makes J.J. McCarthy look good,” they wrote.
Bryce Underwood makes JJ McCarthy look good https://t.co/NBCWQltXD6
— Oregon Updates (@oregon__updates) September 7, 2026
McCarthy, a former first-round pick, was beaten out for the Minnesota Vikings’ starting job by Kyler Murray, and now has his future coming into question.
Another user on X translated Whittingham’s words himself.
“Translation: we’re officially on Bryce Underwhelm bench watch,” he posted on X.
Translation: we’re officially on Bryce Underwhelm bench watch. https://t.co/hd2kiOAc4X
— Edward (@Eddyc85) September 7, 2026
It’s hard to argue with that after seeing what Whittingham had to say.
Jackson Collier didn’t mince their words.
“On pace to be one of the biggest busts in college football history if he doesn’t start producing as expected,” they explained.
On pace to be one of the biggest busts in college football history if he doesn’t start producing as expected. https://t.co/XdPjK6R8ee
— JC Hoops (@JacksonCollier) September 7, 2026
Honestly, it’s tough to argue this point as well. He will be associated with a booming NIL time for players, and if he doesn’t improve, history will be harder on him than on others because of the time period he played in.
Tyler Goodman hammered that point home.
“Spending 12 mil for a back up QB😭,” they posted.
Spending 12 mil for a back up QB😭
— TG🐶 (@TylerTGGoodman) September 7, 2026
The Coaches Deck predicts Underwood will hit the transfer portal sooner rather than later: “Breaking: Bryce Underwood has entered the transfer portal.
Breaking: Bryce Underwood has entered the transfer portal.
— Coach 🔔 (@TheCoachesDesk) September 7, 2026
AT thinks Underwood is on his way out of Michigan and out of the quarterback position altogether.
“He gone (going to) finish his college career at a different position or at a G6 school,” AT wrote.
With the way things are going, switching schools seems increasingly likely. As for positions? That remains to be seen, but the talent is clearly there.
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Top Tier UGA agrees Underwood’s days on the field are numbered: “Oof, that’s bad to hear. He is definitely getting benched at some point.”
A user named ‘Albert Knows Ball’ already has Underwood’s spot on the bench reserved.
“Oh yeah, that bench has his name all over it soon,” Albert posted.
Oh yeah, that bench has his name all over it soon.
— AlbertKnowsBall (@Gatorburna) September 7, 2026
As a freshman last season, Underwood showed promise, completing 60.3% of his passes (202-of-335) for 2,428 yards with 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions while rushing for another six touchdowns and 392 yards.
According to PFN’s CFB QB Impact Metric, the Michigan quarterback posted an impact score of 78.0 last season, ranking 79th at his position.
It’s only been one game, so there is ample time to turn things around, but Michigan could be forced to make a change if it continues to get quarterback play like this.
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Things won’t get any easier.
Underwood and Michigan will attempt to turn things around when they host the 10th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday.
