Like it or not, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has managed to become a somewhat integral figure in college football, especially for his alma mater. Beyond joining FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff, the multi-millionaire Michigan superfan has helped to fund Michigan’s NIL budget and was a crucial figure in the program landing five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, or at least positioned himself that way.
After last season’s disastrous title defense and inept offensive play under first-time head coach Sherrone Moore, Jim Harbaugh’s successor. Portnoy wasn’t the only fed-up Michigan booster. Billionaire Larry Ellison, one of the richest men in the world and a massive Michigan donor, led the charge to pay Underwood, a Michigan native, a $12 million deal to flip his commitment from LSU.
Now, in his second career start, Portnoy wants to see Michigan’s shiny new toy in full force, but facing No. 18 Oklahoma and a Brent Venables-coached defense on the road in Norman, Moore and offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey have taken a more conservative approach.
I’m about 2 seconds away from texting Jolin and telling her to call Sherrone right now and tell him he’s gone if we don’t let the kid throw the football.
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) September 7, 2025
Bryce Underwood struggles in first half of Week 2 matchup with Oklahoma
Portnoy’s tweet was sent before the half, but at the break, down 7-0, Underwood is just 5-for-10 passing for 76 yards. His 7.6 yards per attempt isn’t bad, but he’s appeared stumped by Venables’s defensive disguises, and most of those dropbacks have come in third-and-long situations after Oklahoma has slowed the Wolverines' ground game.
Michigan has rushed 18 times for 42 yards with a long of eight. That’s an average of 2.3 yards per carry, and Alabama Justice Haynes, who went for 159 yards and three scores last week against New Mexico, has been bottled up, limited to 36 yards on 12 attempts.
While I’m not typically one to agree with Portnoy, it could be time for Michigan to unleash Underwood in the second half. Venables is selling out to stop the run on early downs, and it’s putting Underwood in impossible situations.
A coaching staff can feel like they’re protecting a young quarterback by attempting to establish the run and not putting a lot on his plate, but ultimately, they’re doing him a disservice by forcing him to drop back in obvious passing situations, allowing the opposing defense to get into their exotic pressure packages with no fear of the run.
If you throw on early downs, when run/pass is more of a 50/50 proposition, your young QB will face fewer disguises in the secondary, fewer stunts up front, and have the advantage of play-action. Maybe Portnoy does know ball?