Dave Portnoy hits NSFW rant on coaching staff, defends Bryce Underwood

Michigan walked into the halftime locker room quite frustrated against Oklahoma. Almost nothing got going on the offensive end, only putting itself in scoring position due to OU defensive penalties. And even then, the drive stalled out, and a field goal was missed.

We saw quarterback Bryce Underwood and running back Justice Haynes get into a scrum on the sideline. One of the program’s biggest fans is feeling the same way. Dave Portnoy went on an NSFW on Michigan’s first half performance, wanting to unleash Underwood a little more.

“That was an infuriating half of football to watch,” Portnoy said. “It’s like, I don’t care if we go there, get our ass beat. But I’m not just going to sit there and watch Sherrone Moore and Michigan put their d*cks in their f***ing back pockets and not even try to score. Like, you put handcuffs on Bryce Underwood. I would be fighting everyone on the sideline if I was Bryce Underwood.

“Let the kid throw. Like, who cares if you lose by seven, 10, 14, or 400? Let the kid throw. Run, run, pass. Run, run, pass. Run, run, pass. They’ve got 32 guys in the box, 32 guys in the box. We’ve got the best quarterback recruit of all-time and you’ve got him in f***ing handcuffs. Wake the f*** up and let him play football.”

Halftime Report From Michigan pic.twitter.com/xvPJIijq45

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) September 7, 2025

Underwood came out of the break with just 10 pass attempts to his name. Five of them were completed for a total of 76 yards. Most of those were in obvious situations, though, giving Brent Venables an easy look inside the game plan.

As much complaining about the offense, there are some positive signs coming from the Michigan defense. Only giving up 14 points could be viewed as a plus, given the poor field position handed to Wink Martindale‘s unit. A lot more of the same will be needed in the final two quarters as they attempt to mount a comeback.

But all attention currently falls on the offensive playcalling. Portnoy is clearly fed up with the situation, wanting to see Underwood in action. Whether or not a change comes, we are about to find out from Norman.

Underwood played high school football at Belleville (MI), where he was a Five-Star Plus+ prospect. He was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.