We've learned a lesson through two weeks when it comes to five-star quarterbacks such as Texas' Arch Manning and Michigan's Bryce Underwood.
Patience is required, even with so-called "generational talents." Manning struggled in his debut against No. 1 Ohio State on Aug. 30, but that was against a top-ranked defense with long-time NFL defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.
Underwood struggled for No. 14 Michigan against No. 18 Oklahoma in a 24-13 loss. In Underwood's case, we could take the easy route and agree with Dave Portnoy, who called out Michigan coach Sherrone Moore during the game. We are halfway there.
Manning threw the ball all over the yard – quite literally – against the Buckeyes and lost. Underwood didn't get that chance until it was too late against the Sooners. It predictably did not work.
Underwood finished 9 of 24 for 142 yards. He's a live-armed quarterback with talent, but there is clearly a learning curve for Underwood – and his coaches.
MORE: Arch Manning explodes for four TD passes in five minutes
Is Sherrone Moore too conservative with Bryce Underwood?
Perspective also is required with Underwood – the quarterback with the seven-figure NIL deal and the top player in the 2025 recruiting class, according to 247Sports.com. Underwood is one of 36 five-star quarterbacks ranked by the site since 2014.
He's also one of four who started from Day 1 – a list that includes Josh Rosen, JT Daniels and Dylan Raiola. Rosen played three seasons at UCLA. Daniels played for five different schools. Raiola is in his second season with Nebraska.
But Michigan finished with 129.1 passing yards per game in 2024 – which ranked 130th in the FBS. Underwood and new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey were brought on to change that.
Yet the first-half game plan fell back on the old Jim Harbaugh ground-and-pound playbook to the Wolverines' detriment. Michigan had 18 carries for 42 yards – an average of 2.3 yards – in the first half. Moore did not help much. Should he have turned Underwood loose earlier?
Underwood was 5 of 10 for 76 yards without tight end Malin Klein, who left in the first quarter with an injury. The quarterback had a verbal exchange with running back Justice Haynes, which came after a missed field goal with 3:17 left in the first half when the Wolverines opted not to go for it on fourth-and-2. Oklahoma took a 14-0 lead before halftime.
The difference? There was more continuity between Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer and coordinator Ben Arbuckle. The tandem arrived from Washington State this offseason to jump-start the Brent Venables era.
Mateer led a 12-play, 75-yard TD drive to start the game with a 9-yard TD pass to Deion Burks. Mateer had 160 passing yards, 30 rushing yards, two TDs and an interception at halftime.
The Sooners extended that lead late in the second half. On a third-and-8 from their own 49-yard line in the third quarter, Mateer squirmed out of a sack and hit Isaiah Sategna III for a 36-yard pass. Mateer scored on a 10-yard TD run two players later for a 21-10 lead.
Bryce Underwood struggles against Oklahoma blitz
At that point, you're asking Underwood to play hero ball for a half on the road. When does that work? It helped that Haynes scored on a 75-yard run, and Underwood hit Donaven McCulley on a 44-yard pass that helped set up a field goal and cut the lead to 21-13 with 1:24 left in the third quarter. Underwood was 7 of 17 for 121 yards at that point.
There were no fourth-quarter theatrics. Underwood had a chance with 12:32 left in the third quarter, but he had two incompletions and took a sack, part of a night where he was 0 of 8 against the blitz.
Oklahoma played keep-away with a 16-play drive that took eight minutes and 27 seconds off the clock. Tate Sindell's 21-yard field goal sealed the victory.
Mateer finished 21 of 34 for 270 yards, a TD and an interception. Mateer added 19 carries for 74 yards and two TDs and put himself in the Heisman Trophy conversation. Underwood, meanwhile, will have to learn from the loss.
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Where does Michigan, Bryce Underwood go from here?
Moore is suspended for the next two games against Central Michigan and Nebraska, and that road game against the Huskers on Sept. 20 will be another test for the freshman quarterback.
Michigan went through this with Chad Henne, who started as a freshman in 2004 and struggled in his first road start, a 28-20 loss at Notre Dame on Sept. 11, 2004. That Michigan team lost three games – including Ohio State – but split a Big Ten championship. A similar season would get the Wolverines on the outskirts of the playoff.
To do that, Moore will need to loosen the playbook with Underwood sooner than expected and take more chances. The Wolverines were way too conservative against the Sooners when it was still a game.
Underwood will improve, but the loss to the Sooners was a reminder it is a learning process – not just for the freshman QB but for the coaches. This kind of conservative game plan on the road plan will not be enough with the talent around him, and Moore needs to recognize that when he returns. It's easy to say "Let Underwood cook," but it is clear he still is learning how at the college level. The Wolverines also do not have enough threats on the perimeter yet – not even close to what Manning has at Texas.
Patience is required for everyone, even Portnoy.
But with that kind of money involved, the clock is ticking.