Michigan’s Whittingham leaves Rutgers quarterback decision open amid offensive struggles

Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham said on October 26 that he had not chosen a starting quarterback for the Wolverines’ October 31 game at Rutgers, as he acknowledged problems across the offense and called for better coaching after the Indiana game. Whittingham made the comments at his weekly press conference, according to Maize n Brew’s report republished by Yahoo Sports.

Tommy Carr made his first start of the season against Indiana. Whittingham said Carr ‘did some good things’ but had areas to improve. Asked who would start at Rutgers, the coach said, ‘That’s to be determined.’ He said the staff would decide as the week progressed and keep the choice to itself, as it did before the Indiana game.

Whittingham says Michigan’s offensive problems go beyond quarterback

The coach also took responsibility for the staff’s work. ‘We have to coach better at every single position,’ Whittingham said, adding that problems with the line or receivers reflected on the coaches. Asked whether the scheme suited the players, he said that criticism was not entirely fair but might have some validity. The staff was still searching for plays its players could execute, he said.

Asked about changing coordinators during the season, Whittingham said it was not time to panic or make a rash decision. He said he had authority to override plays but generally left calls to his assistants, whose choices earlier in a game might set up later plays.

Offensive line and availability for the Rutgers game

Whittingham called the offensive line’s showing against Indiana probably its least productive of the season, while crediting Indiana’s defense. Blake Frazier missed that game, Jake Guarnera played hurt and Andrew Sprague remained out with an injury, Maize n Brew reported. Whittingham had no update on Frazier’s status. He said freshman Marky Walbridge, making his first start at right tackle, was beaten a couple of times but otherwise held up well.

Tight end Zack Marshall will be available against Rutgers after missing two games for disciplinary reasons, according to the report. Michigan Athletics lists kickoff at SHI Stadium for 12:30 p.m. Eastern time on October 31. Its game preview says Michigan leads the series 9–1, having won nine straight meetings since losing the first in 2014.