Michigan Has a $10 Million Bryce Underwood Problem — and Benching Him Won’t Fix It

While slews of Michigan arm-chair quarterbacks are screaming for the benching of quarterback Bryce Underwood and moving freshman Tommy Carr onto the playing board, it might be a good idea to push back in the recliner and relax.

Besides, it’s a bye week so take a deep breath and give a chance for cooler heads to prevail. Now let’s take a rationale look.

Obviously, Michigan has three clear-cut problems:

Coaching – because no improvement has been spotted anywhere in any position group since the opening night debacle against Western Michigan.Offensive line – because not even former Michigan greats Blake Corum, Tim Biakabutuka, Leroy Hoard or the legendary Heisman Trophy winner Tom Harmon could catch a glimpse of running-room daylight behind this dismal blockade.Bryce Underwood – just look at the sparse offensive production, interceptions and fumbles against an easy schedule and the fact the Wolverines are off to their first 0-2 Big Ten start since 2014, when Michigan lost to Rutgers and eventually fired Brady Hoke at season’s end.

Underwood is not a Generational Talent

Underwood has a tremendous arm and has shown glimpses of its potential on rare occasions, dating back to last year’s wild clash against Northwestern when he threw for 280 yards in a 24-22 win at Wrigley Field.

Underwood can also run. He’s 6-4, 230 pounds and it’s all pure muscle. He’s been able knock over would-be tacklers and has shown some flashy moves in the open field.

But Underwood doesn’t have the “It” factor. Then again, very few athletes do. The factor cannot be defined but everyone knows it when they see it.

Desmond Howard had it. Charles Woodson had it. Anthony Carter had it. And Michigan certainly paid for it with an estimated $10 million NIL deal for Underwood. Now, naturally, there is buyer’s remorse.

But the money wasn’t spent to acquire a polished 18-year-old quarterback. It was spent on a raw but highly acclaimed talent. It’s the job of the Michigan coaching staff to develop it.

It’s Not Time to Drive in a New Carr

But since the multitude is screaming for a change at quarterback, let’s take a closer look at what could happen if Carr suddenly became the starter with the upcoming Oct. 17 clash against Penn State.

Carr, at 6-4, 190 pounds is, “under-developed as far as just physically” according to what Urban Meyer revealed on the Triple Option podcast from a previous conversation with Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham.

If the Michigan offensive line cannot block for Underwood, then it cannot block for Carr. The freshman would be in harm’s way and a sitting duck if there were a quarterback switch now.

Michigan is about to move into the brutal half of its schedule. After Penn State comes the defending national champion Indiana, while bitter rival Michigan State, No. 13 Oregon, No. 21 UCLA and No. 5 Ohio State await – energetically.

This is not a time when anyone should expect the Michigan offensive line to suddenly awaken from its bye week and look like the 1970s Dallas Cowboys. If Carr started, the odds are he would get hurt, and Michigan would have no choice but to switch back to a now-dejected Underwood.

Let’s face it, Michigan’s problems would be compounded. So let Carr develop in the weight room and in good time he’ll get his chance, possibly with glorious results.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day wanted to “hang 100” points on Michigan when Jim Harbaugh was coaching. Well, if Whittingham doesn’t get the “disconnect” he pointed out after Saturday’s loss at Minnesota connected, Day might get his wish.

But don’t serve Carr up on a platter for him. This kid might have the “It’ factor.