Urban Meyer breaks down why Bryce Underwood is Big Ten's biggest concern

Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer sees something in Michigan Wolverines freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood that every Big Ten conference team needs to take note of. 

Underwood, who didn't live up to the expectations in the Week 2 game against Oklahoma, exploded for three total touchdowns against one interception in a 63-3 win over Central Michigan. Two of those touchdowns were rushing scores.

Taking footage of one rushing score from the Central Michigan game, Meyer identifies how Underwood's creativity gives the Wolverines an advantage on the scrimmage line, paving the way for an easy route towards the endzone. 

“This is the play that changes it all,” Meyer said while breaking down the film. “It’s called a quarterback direct one. He did not show this in the first few games. This is a quarterback counter. The offensive line is simply blocking counter. Now, instead of handing the ball to the tailback like we showed on the board, the tailback becomes the lead blocker.”

“You’re a +1 in the box anytime you want a direct run option with a quarterback who’s a tremendous athlete,” Meyer added. “Again, he outran the angle of the safety, and this is a big-cat run with the ball.

After breaking down the play, Meyer pointed out that Nebraska and the rest of the Big Ten teams that are scheduled to face Michigan must be wary of this play.

"This play to me put every defensive coordinator, especially John Butler [Nebraska DC], on call because now you have a quarterback run in the offense,” Meyer warned.

"This is the play that changes it all."@CoachUrbanMeyer explains how Bryce Underwood’s ground game vs. Central MI pressures every @bigten defense 👇 pic.twitter.com/bBmjp7JQvK

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 18, 2025

Bryce Underwood to face Nebraska challenge in Week 4

Bryce Underwood might have exploded against Central Michigan, but Nebraska is a much better team, and the Michigan quarterback will have his task cut out to he can take down organized teams.

In three games started, the quarterback has completed 46 of 80 passes for 628 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. His rushing game makes him a standout as well as we saw in the last game.

Michigan is favored to win this game and Underwood must see to it.