A freshman Bryce showed some incredible moments of mental processing, anticipation, and accuracy. 2 passes immediately come to mind: 1. The completion to Deakon Tonielli over the middle versus a quality Washington defense and 2. the 3rd & 10 completion to Marsh versus Northwestern late in the game.

Posted on September 7, 2026 at 08:47:33 AM by Rose Bowl Champion (edited September 7, 2026 at 09:11:20 AM)

I've attached both clips with the timestamp.

Washington

https://youtu.be/FRqi8_mMpFQ?t=648

Northwestern

https://youtu.be/svAMEq6RZPw?t=888

An 18 year old Bryce demonstrated a preternatural ability to complete passes into tighter windows when he set his feet, read coverage, and played on instinct. The endzone view of both plays shows the anticipation.

Freshman JJ McCarthy would've struggled to complete either of those passes. In my lifetime, most Michigan QBs would've struggled to complete either pass and shied away from attempting them as underclassmen.

Back to the board

Thread:

My biggest question with Bryce is does he live in the film room? It doesn't appear so due to his misreads of defenses. * - By Scouser September 7, 2026 at 12:00:40 AM
- Bryce isn't processing things quickly enough at times. I've attached a GIF where nominal pressure from the left prevented him from playing on time and in rhythm. - By Rose Bowl Champion September 7, 2026 at 07:35:21 AM
  - Jake Butt: He’s not open. He’s running a sit route. Bryce cannot throw him the ball until he “sits” and then gives eyes. This is not a slant or crosser route. Like it appears to be in these photos - By WOK September 7, 2026 at 09:09:37 AM
    - Yes, I know that's a sit route but Jake contradicts himself with the 2nd image. "Sit" does not mean "come to a complete stop" like a car at a red "STOP" sign. There's a measure of feel and improvisation. Additionally, JJ is clearly looking at Bryce. That's open in every level of football.* - By Rose Bowl Champion September 7, 2026 at 09:16:59 AM
  - This play didn’t develop correctly because of Goodwin. It’s a timing pattern that JJ to sit down before he can be targeted. Goodwin has to clear across before there is a throwing lane. Goodwin is late, and Bryce likely does not see the deep safety because the referee is directly in from of him. - By WOK September 7, 2026 at 08:53:02 AM
    - Watch the play from this angle. JJ flashes open but he’s not ready. As he sits, Goodwin is stopped right in front of him.* - By WOK September 7, 2026 at 09:07:42 AM
  - This is a great clip because show a few of his (related likely) huge shortcomings. Slow processing or not trusting what he sees, bad pocket presence/afraid of hit, poor footwork (maybe due to previous points)* - By harbaughdyssey September 7, 2026 at 08:31:19 AM
    - A freshman Bryce showed some incredible moments of mental processing, anticipation, and accuracy. 2 passes immediately come to mind: 1. The completion to Deakon Tonielli over the middle versus a quality Washington defense and 2. the 3rd & 10 completion to Marsh versus Northwestern late in the game. - By Rose Bowl Champion September 7, 2026 at 08:47:33 AM
  - I've attached an additional freeze frame image of Bryce staring at a wide open JJ Buchanan but not releasing the ball. (It seems this site doesn't allow me to attach multiple images to 1 post. So I'm sharing the freeze frame in a reply.) - By Rose Bowl Champion September 7, 2026 at 07:38:17 AM
    - Thats from the same play as the gif, right? - By mgaelster September 7, 2026 at 08:01:24 AM
      - Yes, the freeze frame is from the GIF. No, the S is not close enough to an open JJ Buchanan to prevent a completion. (He's roughly 7-8 yards behind Buchanan in the freeze frame.) I've attached a video at the timestamp. - By Rose Bowl Champion September 7, 2026 at 08:34:06 AM
      - The safety who dug it out? He was only there because Bryce waited so long and did that weird run thing* - By harbaughdyssey September 7, 2026 at 08:27:36 AM
- What misreads? I saw a couple bad throws where he tried to force something not there, but it doesn't mean anything else was there. I did not see him miss an open WR read. I did see him try to make plays that weren't there - By Rich September 7, 2026 at 01:36:42 AM
  - “ His 31.4 passing grade ranked as the second-lowest among FBS quarterbacks in Week 1. Even when kept clean, Underwood completed just 11 of 18 passes for 123 yards and an interception. - By 6p September 7, 2026 at 01:59:22 AM
    - Was anybody open on those 7 misses? I say no. * - By Rich September 7, 2026 at 02:01:06 AM
      - The play before the fumble, didn't read it right and the guy he eventually threw it to was wide open except he was so late on the throw the D closed it down. He also threw the ball right to a safety on a misread that easily could have been six the other way. His out route before half time etc etc * - By Scouser September 7, 2026 at 02:36:30 AM
- Wha? From all accounts Underwood works his ass off* - By detroitbry September 7, 2026 at 01:10:06 AM
  - I see videos of jump throws, eyes closed throws etc. Not saying he doesn’t work his ass off- I’m sure he does. But sometimes not doing the right/smart reps make you worse. For example, my golf swing* - By hambone September 7, 2026 at 10:26:12 AM
  - unfortunately, that’s even more damning * - By 6p September 7, 2026 at 01:54:58 AM
  - I was asking, had no idea. If he does then that's a concern because it's not translating to the field. * - By Scouser September 7, 2026 at 01:20:09 AM
    - He has no chance with this offensive design. Yeah, he made 2-3 bad throws but the rest he was just trying to make plays with not much there* - By Rich September 7, 2026 at 01:21:45 AM
      - How is this design different than last year’s with Dampier?* - By MasterBates September 7, 2026 at 01:27:12 AM
        
        Who cares about Dampier? We have a 5 star QB with an accurate downfield arm and we having him try to find 2 targets because everyone else is blocking..... - By Rich September 7, 2026 at 01:33:01 AM
        
        He is not accurate at all* - By 6p September 7, 2026 at 01:55:55 AM
        
        That is just wrong. He was known for his accuracy out of HS and he throws dimes. Does he miss throws? Yes, but I don't think we should have him throwing touch passes laterally - By Rich September 7, 2026 at 02:02:46 AM
        
        yea and he has not been accurate in college where the defenses and schemes are better* - By 6p September 7, 2026 at 02:09:37 AM
        
        He has played in poorly designed offenses. Again can you imagine Kiffin or Sark playing Beigel and Hoffman a combined 60 plus snaps and going with 2 WR most of the night? 5 snaps for Hiter? - By Rich September 7, 2026 at 02:13:30 AM
        
        He had Hiter on the easiest throw wide open and potential TD material bevcause he only needed to make one guy miss and Bryce underthrew it so badly Hiter fell over when catching it. His footwork is awful, the analysts say, Gardener says it, his instincts are terrible. I don't see what you see. * - By Scouser September 7, 2026 at 02:34:02 AM
- If he does bust, I doubt it will be from lack of study or effort. All reports suggest he is a workhorse and sponge. He might have a case of the Scott Mitchell’s. Panic, panic, panic. * - By plug September 7, 2026 at 12:11:42 AM
  - All reports have been way wrong. Why believe that one? It's standard fare press release crap for QBs* - By Supergoat September 7, 2026 at 12:24:57 AM
    - I’ve watched enough to feel he has the drive to succeed. If not, report something different. I’ve seen videos that look quite genuine barring evidence to the contrary. * - By plug September 7, 2026 at 12:38:05 AM
      - Don't even waste your time with this type of nonsense, him not working hard is a nonstarter* - By detroitbry September 7, 2026 at 01:10:53 AM

The Victors

A freshman Bryce showed some incredible moments of mental processing, anticipation, and accuracy. 2 passes immediately come to mind: 1. The completion to Deakon Tonielli over the middle versus a quality Washington defense and 2. the 3rd & 10 completion to Marsh versus Northwestern late in the game.