yahoo
The Michigan Wolverines have made a decisive call at quarterback: freshman Tommy Carr will take the first snap when they face the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday at noon ET in Ann Arbor, a game set for Big Noon Kickoff on FOX. The decision comes swiftly after Bryce Underwood was pulled from last week's 21-18 victory over Penn State following a rocky performance.
Underwood, who had thrown two interceptions and completed just 5 of 11 passes for 43 yards, was replaced by Carr in the second half. Although Carr, a freshman who had seen brief action in a 52-17 win over UTEP, attempted only two passes, the coaching staff saw enough to make a change with over a month remaining in the regular season. According to On3's Pete Nakos, Carr will get his first career start.
Whether this move is permanent remains uncertain, but given coach Kyle Whittingham's previous hesitance regarding Underwood, it appears the switch was inevitable. After the Penn State win, Whittingham explained the benching: "Well, he only had about 70 yards or thereabouts in the first half, and no points, and we just needed to get something done and create a spark, as we said." The plan worked, as Michigan took control in the second half to snap a two-game losing streak.
Whittingham praised Carr's preparation: "He's always prepared. I walk by the quarterback room 12 times, 15 times a day. He's in there pretty much every second he doesn't have class, he's in there watching film. So, he's very prepared when his number was called. Like I said, he responded very well. Going forward, we'll take a good, hard look at the tape and see why things bogged down in the first half and why we were a little better in the second half, because there really wasn't a lot of scheme change."
During his Monday press conference, Whittingham declined to name Carr the starter for Week 8, but now that the decision is reportedly official, it raises further questions about the direction of the Wolverines' season. ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit recently suggested on the "Nonstop" podcast that Whittingham's job security could be at risk if he can't turn things around: "And I know by doing that, if it doesn't work out, you know, you probably get fired." In essence, the switch to Carr may be a last-ditch effort to salvage the season. The answer will come soon enough as Saturday approaches.
Key Analysis
The quarterback change reflects Michigan's urgency to rejuvenate its offense and secure wins in a challenging Big Ten landscape. Underwood's struggles against Penn State forced the staff's hand, and Carr's dedication in the film room earned him the opportunity. However, the move also puts added pressure on Whittingham, whose job could hinge on the team's performance down the stretch. With the Hoosiers up next, all eyes will be on Carr to see if he can provide the spark Michigan desperately needs.
Originally reported by yahoo.