Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham is not as personally invested in freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood's success as his predecessor, according to FOX Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt. This dynamic could influence how Whittingham manages Underwood's playing time as the Wolverines navigate early season challenges.
Klatt stated on "The Herd" that Whittingham was not involved in recruiting Underwood or securing his significant NIL deal, nor did he name him the starter. This contrasts with the previous coaching staff, who recruited Underwood heavily. "Kyle Whittingham is not tied to Bryce Underwood," Klatt said. "It was not Kyle's decision to give Bryce Underwood the NIL deal. He's not as tied to Underwood as the previous coaching staff."
Underwood, a former top recruit, had a difficult debut in Michigan's narrow Week 1 victory over Western Michigan. He completed 12 of 22 passes for 170 yards, threw one touchdown, and committed two turnovers. Whittingham acknowledged the performance, stating that Underwood's starting position is not guaranteed and that "At some point, we've got to turn a corner."
Underwood expressed surprise when asked about his coach's comments, indicating he had not seen or heard them. The upcoming Week 2 matchup against No. 11 Oklahoma presents a significant test for both Underwood and the Wolverines' offense.
Klatt highlighted the Week 2 game as particularly interesting due to this dynamic. "I think that makes this week interesting," Klatt said. "How effective is he? How long does he stay in the game if he is ineffective? That's a question."
Whittingham, who arrived at Michigan after a successful tenure at Utah, inherited the current roster. Klatt believes effective coaching involves tailoring schemes to a player's strengths. "I'm a firm believer that the best coaches put their players in the best position to be successful," Klatt said. "So you've got to decide: What can our guy do well … and now let's build a system around what he can do well."
Klatt characterized Michigan's offensive performance against Western Michigan as disjointed. "What it looked like against Western Michigan was oil and water," he said. "You have a quarterback running a system that just didn't look like it was gelling."
The Wolverines will face a tougher challenge against Oklahoma, and if Underwood struggles again, the question of Whittingham's patience will become more prominent.