Michigan Admits QB Bryce Underwood Could Get Benched

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Holleran | Last updated Sep 7, 2026 7:00 PM ET

Michigan got the job done against Western Michigan on Saturday night, but only barely – and controversially.

The Wolverines won thanks to some officiating controversy, as 0:01 was put back on the clock, after the game appeared to end with Western Michigan in the lead. Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood completed a miraculous Hail Mary! with that extra second, to give his team the win.

But in the wake of the disappointing Week 1 showing, Michigan is admitting that Underwood, a former No. 1 QB recruit, doesn’t have the job locked up for good. Underwood could get benched at some point.

Sep 20, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) runs against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images© Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham, who is now 1-0 leading the Wolverines program, is admitting that things could change at the quarterback position, if necessary.

Wolverines could ‘bench’ Underwood

Underwood went 12-of-22 passing for 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed for 47 yards and a touchdown.

But it was a shaky performance at best.

Whittingham admitted that Underwood doesn’t have “infinite” job security. If he doesn’t improve – and soon – they could make a change.

“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.”

Michigan has a big test coming up, facing Oklahoma in Week 2.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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