Bryce Underwood walks into Saturday with more than Oklahoma’s defense staring him down. The Michigan quarterback is also carrying a warning from his own coach, and that makes this trip to Norman feel even heavier.
Underwood’s Hail Mary to JJ Buchanan saved Michigan from Western Michigan last Saturday and delivered a controversial 13-12 win. But the performance left coach Kyle Whittingham frustrated enough to make one thing clear this week: nobody’s spot is locked down, including the quarterback’s.
Underwood, though, didn’t sound like he had heard much of that message when he was asked about it.
“I didn't see that,” Underwood said. “It's cool.”
That might be one way to brush off the noise. Handling Oklahoma’s front is another matter entirely.
The Sooners showed exactly what they can do in their opener against UTEP, rolling to a 51-0 win while holding the Miners to 198 total yards, 2.9 yards per carry and just 10 first downs. Oklahoma led the nation last season in sacks per game and tackles for loss per game, and it topped the Southeastern Conference in scoring defense at 15.5 points per game, total defense at 272.5 yards per game, rushing defense, passing defense efficiency and fewest first downs allowed.
What makes that even more unsettling for Michigan is the carryover. All 11 Oklahoma starters from the opener began their careers with the Sooners, and that continuity showed right away.
Still, Brent Venables didn’t sound like a coach content with a shutout. He said the defense had energy but not the kind of precision he wants.
“We just didn’t play with the cleanliness and discipline that you have to play with," he said. "Got a little nosy. … Just got to play a little cleaner, (and) fundamentally trust in our schemes and our systems and where our help is.”
Even with the shutout, Oklahoma saw plenty to clean up. UTEP missed three field goals, and linebacker Kip Lewis said the feeling after the game was far from perfect.
“I mean, it wasn’t the best feeling in the moment,” Lewis said. “Sloppy and stuff.
… We’re excited to go attack the challenge again. New opportunity every week.”
Michigan also has recent film on Underwood, and it’s not flattering. In last season’s meeting, he completed 9 of 24 passes for 142 yards in Oklahoma’s 24-13 win. This time, the Sooners are getting a quarterback they already know, and Venables made it clear he respects the tools Underwood brings.
“This guy can run it, he can throw it, he's decisive at making decisions and he's a rhythmic player,” Venables said. “He's really good that way. So always look at what a guy is capable of, what's the ceiling, what are they showing you when they're at their best.”
Underwood finished with 12 completions on 22 attempts for 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Oklahoma linebacker Cole Sullivan, who played for Michigan last year, said the freshman has the kind of confidence the Sooners need to account for.
“He's super confident,” Sullivan said. “ I don't think he crosses the line of being too cocky.
He's very confident. He's a good leader for that team, I believe.
And he's very mature. For how young he is, he's very mature.”
If Underwood slips, Tommy Carr would be next in line. Whittingham has seen enough from the true freshman to believe the poise is real.
“He seems to be unflappable,” he said. “Nothing really bothers the kid.
He’s really calm and collected. He’s a guy that’s very intelligent.
He lives in the film room.”
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