Desmond Howard Stands by Underwood, Blames Coaches for Michigan's Slippery Start

The Firestorm Over Michigan's Close Win

Let me tell you, when I watched Michigan's Week 1 win over Western Michigan last Saturday night, it wasn't just the outcome that got my attention—it was how the national media pounced on one player, Bryce Underwood. That kid threw a Hail Mary to salvage a 13-12 victory, but the moment his foot hit the ground, the criticism began. And I'll be honest, it's not fair.

"Anyone who watched that game, Michigan vs. Western Michigan last Saturday night, there's absolutely no way you come away with the opinion that, 'Man, that whole game was on Bryce Underwood, the quarterback,'"—Desmond Howard

You know what? I've been around this game long enough to know that no one plays a complete game when their team is in a funk. Especially not a young quarterback like Underwood, who's already under immense pressure from the spotlight. So when Desmond Howard, the man who made his name on big plays, came out and said that the whole team, including the coaching staff, should be on the hot seat—well, I sat up straighter.

Underwood's Performance: Not Perfect, But Not Alone

Let's get real here. Underwood had a rough start—12-of-22 for 170 yards, one interception, and that game-winning Hail Mary. I won't sugarcoat it. He was under pressure, and he made some decisions that'll come back to haunt him in the long run. But if we're going to point fingers at him, let's not ignore what else went wrong.

• Western Michigan converted 8 of 18 third-down attempts, something no decent defense should allow.
• The special teams unit had a muffed punt return in the first quarter—the very first play of the game!
• Defense was outplayed for chunks of the game, and the coaching staff couldn't seem to adjust fast enough.

You see, we're not just talking about a single player's performance. We're talking about a whole system under fire—and that's what makes this story so compelling. It's not a matter of whether Underwood should be held accountable; it's a matter of who else should be.

Howard's Bold Defense: Coaches Are to Blame Too

Desmond Howard didn't just defend Underwood—he went further and squarely placed the blame where it belongs. He said, "Does he deserve criticism? Absolutely. Does the defense deserve criticism? A hundred percent. Does the special teams deserve criticism? Absolutely. There's nobody who wore that maize uniform that night that should escape any criticism, and it also should start with the coaches."

And honestly? I agree with him. It's easy to focus on one player in a moment of crisis. But that's not how you build champions—it's how you build gossip.

The Unfair Treatment of Kyle Whittingham

Whittingham, the head coach making his debut with Michigan, is now being criticized for a performance he didn't quite control. But let's be clear—no one is giving him any credit either. It's like the media decided to make Underwood their scapegoat, leaving Whittingham to bear the brunt of scrutiny alone.

This kind of selective outrage is exactly why players get hurt mentally in this sport. The system can't just rely on one person—it needs a collective effort to succeed. And if the coaching staff failed to execute properly, or failed to adapt during the game, that's on them too.

Why This Matters Beyond One Game

We're not just talking about a win or loss here. We're talking about the future of Michigan's quarterback position and how young players like Underwood are judged in their formative years. If he's already being criticized for a performance that included so many factors outside his control, what happens when things go really wrong?

As someone who's seen the pressure of college football from both sides—on the field and off—it's clear that we have to look at the bigger picture. The way the media frames these early-season moments sets a precedent for how players are treated for years to come.

My Take: A Coach's Responsibility

I'm not here to sugarcoat the performance of Michigan's sophomore QB. Bryce Underwood is young, and he made some errors that we all will remember. But it's equally important to recognize how the entire team, including leadership, failed to rise to the challenge.

What I see is a classic case of blame-shifting. When things go wrong, someone has to take the fall, and in college football, that person is usually the quarterback. But if we're going to move forward with integrity, we must stop singling out one player when it's really about team failure.

This isn't just a story about Underwood or Whittingham—it's about accountability. It's about learning how to handle pressure and criticism without losing your identity as a person or a competitor.

Looking Ahead: What Comes Next?

Michigan still has a long road ahead. And while the early season may be rocky, it's crucial that they learn from these moments. The kind of accountability Howard speaks about—where everyone is held responsible—is what separates great teams from good ones.

Underwood needs support now more than ever, not just for his performance, but for how he's being portrayed. And if Michigan wants to build a program that thrives under pressure, it has to start with the leadership that sets expectations—and holds everyone to those standards.

I won't say this is going to be easy, but it's certainly worth the effort. We'll be watching closely as this young team grows, and I have a feeling there's a lot more to come from both Underwood and Whittingham.