Michigan just pulled the trigger on a massive quarterback change, and now true freshman Tommy Carr is under center facing a reeling Indiana squad in Week 8. This is a game where the Hoosiers, fresh off their first loss in over a year and a half, are going to look to make a statement, and they’ve got a week to prepare for a rookie QB. Talk about throwing a kid into the deep end!
The Wolverines’ Dicey QB Gamble
Let’s be real, the Michigan offense was dead in the water with Bryce Underwood at quarterback. We all saw it. So, the Wolverines benched him last week for Carr, and suddenly, the offense put up 21 second-half points. They actually looked competent. But let’s pump the brakes for a second. Carr threw the ball only seven times for a measly 47 yards. That’s not exactly an elite passing performance, is it? Now, he’s got to go up against an Indiana defense that is absolutely fantastic. They’re ninth in points per drive and don’t have many weaknesses. Plus, they’ve had a whole week to scheme for this true freshman. It’s easy to see this Michigan offense getting overwhelmed with Carr under fire, even if the Wolverines are reportedly playing more confidently with him at the helm. I guess we’re hoping for high teens from Michigan to cover this game, maybe just 17 points, which is a scary proposition.
Indiana’s Chance to Bite Back
Indiana is hurting, coming off their first loss in over 18 months. And man, how they lost it, at home, with everyone watching! Mistakes, turnovers, a receiver just barely out of bounds on the final play. We haven’t seen Curt Cignetti’s squad lose like that often. They also can’t run the ball to save their lives this season, averaging just 2.8 yards per carry against Ohio State and a miserable 2.4 against Nebraska the week before. And Josh Hoover at quarterback is no Fernando Mendoza. He can’t magic things right when they go wrong. But here’s the kicker: their defense is still elite. While they might allow some success rushing the ball and perhaps don’t rush the passer quite like last season, they are a formidable unit. This is Indiana’s third straight week facing a physical defense. How much more can they take on the road? I reckon their offense can still scrape together scores in the low 20s.
This is going to be a fascinating matchup. Across the college football landscape, things are looking good, with Utah and Houston set to battle it out in an awesome Big 12 matchup. The winner of that one gets a leg up in the Big 12 title race, with serious CFP implications on the line. But here in the Big Ten, the real drama is in Ann Arbor. Can Tommy Carr rise to the occasion, or will Indiana make him pay for his inexperience? It’s going to be a wild Saturday night.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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