Michigan sticking with Underwood as QB1, OC Beck as playcaller

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  Adam RittenbergOct 12, 2026, 10:44 AM ET

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  College football reporter; joined ESPN in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University.

Michigan is sticking with Bryce Underwood as its starting quarterback and offensive coordinator Jason Beck as its play-caller following an open week.

Coach Kyle Whittingham on Monday said both Underwood and Beck would remain in their roles despite the offense's struggles in the first five games. After Michigan's 20-14 loss at Minnesota on Oct. 3, where the offense generated just one score, 180 yards and committed three turnovers, Whittingham said some "tough decisions" could lie ahead after an "unacceptable" performance.

"Jason will call plays and Bryce is our guy, and we'll move forward," Whittingham said Monday.

The Wolverines host Penn State this coming Saturday. Backup quarterback Tommy Carr, the grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, received about half the reps last week with the first-team offense, which was always in the plans during an open week, Whittingham said. Carr has only played briefly at the end of Michigan's blowout win against UTEP, completing both of his pass attempts.

Underwood, a second-year starter for the Wolverines in his first year with Whittingham Beck, is completing just 59.3% of his passes with five touchdowns and four interceptions. He has been effective as a runner with 212 yards and two scores.

"We're continuing to tailor the offense to try to put everybody, not just Bryce, in the best position to succeed," Whittingham said. "Our big demise is turnover margin. We continue to lose the turnover margin, we'll continue to lose, period, cut and dried. We've got to get that fixed."

Beck was Whittingham's offensive coordinator with Utah in 2025, overseeing a unit that ranked second nationally in rushing and fourth in both scoring and total yards.