Urban Meyer: Michigan Has Issues ‘Even Greater’ Than Bryce Underwood
Urban Meyer has a simple message for Michigan after the Wolverines’ ugly — and controversial — Week 1 win over in-state foe Western Michigan:
Get back to the basics.
But when FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt asked Meyer what the Wolverines need to do heading into a Week 2 showdown with No. 11 Oklahoma on Saturday, Meyer responded with a question of his own:
“What the hell [have they] been doing for the last six weeks?” Meyer said on Wednesday’s edition of “The Joel Klatt Show.”
Trailing Western Michigan 12-7 with nine seconds remaining, quarterback Bryce Underwood heaved a Hail Mary toward the end zone, and while the television clock hit zero during the play, officials determined that one second remained on the game clock when the ball went out of bounds.
Underwood’s second Hail Mary attempt landed in the hands of wide receiver JJ Buchanan, allowing the Wolverines to escape Western Michigan and avoid what would have been a stunning upset.
But while Underwood’s final pass won the game for the Wolverines, Meyer made clear that it didn’t erase the glaring issues facing not only the quarterback, but also the offensive line.
“The quarterback is an issue, but there are issues that might even be greater,” Meyer said. “I think their defense is OK, but on offense, their offense didn’t play very well. You want a recipe for failure? Have a bad offensive line.”
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According to Pro Football Focus, Underwood was pressured on six of his 26 dropbacks. Michigan managed just 106 rushing yards on 25 carries, didn’t have a player eclipse 50 rushing yards and failed to record a run longer than 15 yards.
So, is toughness the problem? Meyer doesn’t think so, at least not when it comes to the identity of the program.
“I don’t know if it’s toughness. I can’t imagine that because they are always tough,” Meyer said of Michigan. “The one thing you can count on with the Wolverine football program is that they are always tough.”
Another reason why Meyer is adamant about the team’s toughness is because of the man standing on the sideline – head coach Kyle Whittingham.
“In my 40 years in the game, I can’t think of a better coach than Kyle Whittingham,” Meyer said. “He is not good … he’s a great football coach. My respect is immense.”
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Meyer knows Whittingham well. The two developed a longstanding relationship during their time at Utah, and Meyer understands the challenge Whittingham faces after spending more than three decades at one program before taking over at Michigan.
“It’s a little bit like when I went to Florida,” Meyer said. “It hit me so hard. The intensity, the scrutiny, the nonstop expectations. But Kyle is a grown-ass man. He’ll handle it, he’ll figure it out.”
As for who wins the Week 2 non-conference showdown between the Wolverines and Sooners?
“I think you’ll tell in the first quarter,” Meyer said. “This is either going to be a walk off, or Oklahoma is going to win by a few scores.”
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