Michigan's Whittingham has quarterback plan for Indiana but won't name starter
Kyle Whittingham says he knows how Michigan will handle quarterback against No. 6 Indiana after Tommy Carr replaced Bryce Underwood in a comeback win over Penn State.
Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham said Monday, October 19, that he has a quarterback plan for Saturday's home game against No. 6 Indiana, but declined to say whether Tommy Carr or Bryce Underwood will start. The decision follows Carr's halftime replacement of Underwood in Michigan's 21-18 win over Penn State. Who takes the first snap against Indiana remains undisclosed.
“We know exactly what we're doing and the plan going forward,” Whittingham said, according to ESPN. “We're not going to tip our hand to the opponent. But we have a good plan in place.” USA TODAY's Paul Myerberg also reported Whittingham's refusal to reveal the plan, while arguing in a column that Michigan should start Carr. That recommendation is Myerberg's, not an announcement by the coach.
How Tommy Carr changed the Penn State game
Underwood completed five of 11 passes for 43 yards and threw two interceptions before Carr entered at halftime, with Michigan trailing 3-0. ESPN reported that Carr led three touchdown drives after the break. His 12-yard touchdown run with 2:58 left helped secure the win, Whittingham's first Big Ten victory at Michigan.
Carr completed five of seven passes for 47 yards and rushed for another 36. Whittingham said he saw “good stuff” from Carr in the second half, describing the freshman as smooth and efficient. The result also kept Michigan from opening Big Ten play 0-3 for the first time since 1967.
Why Michigan's quarterback choice matters against Indiana
Underwood, the top overall recruit in ESPN's 2025 SC Next 300, had started every Michigan game since arriving on campus. Under Whittingham and offensive coordinator Jason Beck this season, he has completed 58% of his passes and recorded eight turnovers against seven total touchdowns, ESPN reported. Carr's productive half against Penn State now gives Whittingham a recent game performance to weigh alongside Underwood's longer record as starter.
Carr is the grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr and the younger brother of Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr. Saturday's Indiana game will be the first since his extended appearance against Penn State. Michigan has said it has a plan, but Whittingham's public comments leave the starting choice between Carr and Underwood unanswered.
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Sources and context
- Michigan football knows what it has in Bryce Underwood. It’s time to move onUSA TODAY Sports (republished by Yahoo Sports)
- Michigan's Whittingham: Won't 'tip our hand' by naming starting QB vs. IndianaESPN
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.