Urban Meyer’s comments on Michigan QB Bryce Underwood give Ohio State fans one more reason to dread The Game
After losing four straight iterations of The Game between Ohio State and Michigan, Buckeye fans are feeling the itch to end the streak that seemed impossible before it began. After dominating the rivalry for two decades, the Buckeyes took solace after losing to Michigan again, only because Ryan Day and his program turned the ship […]
After losing four straight iterations of The Game between Ohio State and Michigan, Buckeye fans are feeling the itch to end the streak that seemed impossible before it began. After dominating the rivalry for two decades, the Buckeyes took solace after losing to Michigan again, only because Ryan Day and his program turned the ship around with a stellar National Championship run. But former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer didn’t give the Buckeyes faithful a reason to be excited about Michigan’s future.
Freshman Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood hasn’t looked the part of a future star through two starts thus far, but his raw skill set is as clear as day. Meyer, who loved to utilize dual-threat quarterbacks throughout his career, unsurprisingly, likes Underwood.
If his excitement about Underwood’s future proves right, then it’ll be another rough three years for Ohio State fans. Here’s what Meyer said on the Big Ten Network this week.
Urban Meyer Praises Bryce Underwood’s Potential
“Don’t pump the brakes on Bryce Underwood,” Meyer told BTN’s Gerry DiNardo. “He’s going to be fantastic. I love this player. His release, his everything looks fantastic. But true freshmen are not supposed to go on the road and win games at Oklahoma. Now, the rest of the team was expected to go [and win], and they didn’t.”
In his first collegiate game, Underwood made an impressive debut against New Mexico. Completing 21 of 31 passes for 251 yards and a touchdown, he helped lead the Wolverines to a convincing 34-17 victory to open the season. However, his performance against Oklahoma was less consistent, as he completed nine of 24 passes for 142 yards in a 24-13 loss to the Sooners. Despite the uneven outing, Underwood displayed glimpses of his high potential.
When will Underwood fully emerge as the elite quarterback many expect him to become? According to Meyer, that moment could be closer than anticipated. With Michigan’s upcoming schedule and Underwood’s ongoing development, Meyer is optimistic that the young quarterback will soon showcase more of his dynamic skill set and solidify his place as a top-tier talent.
“There’s two things: it’s a player, obviously, but it’s also a schedule,” Meyer said. “I think they’ve got some games coming up that he’s going to get comfortable and get to know his people. Remember, it’s a true freshman. So after Week 4 and Week 5, I would tell our true freshmen I don’t wanna hear it anymore. I tell the media I don’t wanna hear it anymore because the player will keep remembering, ‘I’m a true freshman.’ You’re not. You’re a veteran player now. Act like it and play like it.”
That could be incredibly tough news as Ohio State desperately wants and needs to end this skid.
