Michigan’s starting quarterback Bryce Underwood is absolutely under fire right now after his Week 1 performance, but it’s clear OU football coach Brent Venables isn’t buying into the noise. This guy just completed 12 of 20 passes last Saturday against Western Michigan, and oh yeah, he tossed a 47-yard Hail Mary touchdown to snatch the win. That’s big-time stuff, especially for a young QB.
Venables Knows What’s Up With Underwood
Venables isn’t one to shy away from giving credit where it’s due, and he’s got “tremendous respect” for Underwood. Most folks are missing the fact that Underwood is still a young quarterback, but Venables isn’t. “All of his best days are still in front of him,” Venables said at his Tuesday news conference, clearly seeing the bigger picture. We’re talking about a true freshman who won nine games as a starting quarterback, which is a massive feat. Last season, Venables’ defense absolutely overwhelmed Underwood in Norman, holding him to just 142 yards and zero touchdowns. Venables has a track record of success against quarterbacks he’s faced multiple times, but he’s also making it super clear his defense isn’t going to take the Wolverines’ offense lightly this Saturday. Why? “He is in a completely different system this year than what he was a year ago,” Venables pointed out, adding that Underwood “can run it, he can throw it, he’s decisive at making decisions and he’s a rhythmic player. He’s really good that way.” This isn’t the same QB they faced last year, and that’s a huge challenge.
OU’s Offensive Line Is a Total Juggling Act
On the flip side, the Sooners are facing some serious questions on their offensive line. Offensive lineman Jake Maikkula got hurt during a scrimmage last month and missed their season-opening win against UTEP. But here’s the good news: he’s ramping up his participation in practice this week and looked close to a return during warmups. OU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle can’t say enough about what Maikkula means to the team. “You can’t put a value on what Jake Maikkula means to this football team, what he means to the offense, what he means to the confidence of (offensive line coach) Bill Bedenbaugh and what he means to the confidence of his teammates that line up next to him.” Getting him back would be a huge boost, especially since true freshman Noah Best started at center against the Miners and had to rotate between all three interior spots. Sophomore Ryan Fodje, who also missed the opener, is getting more work, but star left tackle Michael Fasusi’s availability is “up in the air” after he appeared to reinjure his shoulder last week. Arbuckle praised how the unit has embraced all the shuffling, crediting Bedenbaugh’s coaching for their “excitement and enthusiasm and their toughness and physicality and they’re truly one whole unit.”
This Saturday, 11 a.m. on Fox, we’re going to see what this revamped OU offensive line is truly made of against a physical Michigan defensive front, while Venables’ defense tries to contain a “different system” Bryce Underwood in Ann Arbor. You won’t want to miss it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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