It’s undeniable how much is at stake Saturday for Michigan and Oklahoma.
It will likely set the course in 2025 for both teams.
Michigan is 15th in the Associated Press poll, Oklahoma 18th. The Wolverines don’t face another currently ranked team until the season finale vs. Ohio State.
While Michigan and the Sooners appear to be roughly in the same place, they are going about it in an entirely manner at football’s most important position.
Quarterbacks Bryce Underwood and John Mateer are antipodes. They couldn’t have more different backgrounds.
What they do have in common is being viewed as saviors for their respective programs.
Oh, and being extraordinarily well-compensated. According to On3, Underwood’s NIL deal is worth $3 million this year, 10th in collegiate athletics. Mateer, who starred as Heisman winner Cam Ward’s replacement at Washington State in 2024, is not far behind at No.13 with $2.7 million.
Their meeting begs the question whether traditionally elite college football programs are better suited to seek the very best high school quarterbacks, or poach proven college signal callers who stood out elsewhere.
Poor Washington State. The Cougars not only were left out of the Power 5 when it turned into the Power 4, but they essentially became a developmental program for the big boys. Mateer backed up Ward for two years before erupting in 2024. Ward went to Miami, placed fourth in Heisman voting and was the NFL’s first overall draft pick by the Tennessee Titans.
Underwood is more than just a 5-star, he was ranked as the top recruit in the nation regardless of position by the majority of recruiting websites. In the season opener, his passing was dazzling, spinning sniper shots on seam routes reminiscent of Matthew Stafford.
He didn’t remotely unload his skill-set, either. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Underwood is a big, fast, physical runner. Underwood, who starred four years at Belleville High School, is easily the most promising high school QB this state has ever produced.
Conversely, Mateer is from Texas, which produces top-tier QBs like Florida grows oranges.
He was ranked 119th in the nation coming out of high school, according to 24/7 sports. Not 119th best player, but quarterback. In Texas, he was listed as the state’s 235th best player. His rank nationally: 1,766th.
Mateer is 6-foot-1 and stout. He has excellent mobility for a college QB, running for more than 800 yards last season, but not the explosiveness of Underwood.
Washington State was the only, at the time, Power 5 conference team to offer Mateer. His other offers came from Central Arkansas, Houston Christian, Incarnate Ward and Columbia. Yeah, that Columbia, which doesn’t offer athletic scholarships. And don’t disrespect Incarnate Ward. That’s where Ward, another Texas QB, played before he went to Washington State.
With transferring these days being as easy as shopping online, it has made sense to let QB development happen elsewhere, and then let money talk.
As good as Underwood was against New Mexico (21-of-31 passing for 251 yards and a TD), Mateer was even better vs. the Lobos last season (25-of-36, 375 yards, four TDs, 65 yards rushing on nine carries and a TD). New Mexico won that game, though, at home, largely because their QB, Devon Dampier, rushed for nearly 200 yards. He’s Utah’s QB now, completing 84 percent of his passes Saturday in a rout of UCLA, and its $1.7 million man, former Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava.
Arch Manning is the most compensated college athlete in the nation at $6.3 million, which is a higher base salary than all but five Detroit Lions’ players. The Texas QB was terrible vs. Ohio State.
Oddly, Michigan hasn’t had success at QB with transfers. Jake Rudock was just OK, Shea Patterson underwhelming and John O’Korn ineffective. Highly-regarded high school recruits J.J. McCarthy and Cade McNamara were the big producers during the Jim Harbaugh era.
Michigan has a fast, active defense. They have an excellent combination of running backs in Jordan Marshall and Alabama transfer Justice Haynes. Marlin Klein is a solid tight end. The jury is still very much out on the Wolverines offensive line and wide receivers.
Underwood’s arm talent was dazzling in the opener, but there are perhaps unreasonable expectations being thrust on his wide shoulders for a true freshman. Mateer isn't unknown.
May the best quarterback win.