Michigan is heading into its rivalry game with Michigan State with a clearer answer at quarterback and a few other moving parts still being sorted out.
Freshman Tommy Carr will stay in the starting role for the foreseeable future, Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham said after Carr’s strong showing in Saturday’s 31-0 win over Rutgers. Carr completed more than 80% of his passes for 266 yards, averaged nearly 10 yards per attempt and avoided turnovers, giving the Wolverines a steady hand in a game that also showed off his ability to run and diagnose defenses.
“Can’t say enough good things about how he played,” said Whittingham. “Again, just one game, but that was a really good game that he played.”
The next test arrives Saturday, Nov. 7, when Michigan hosts Michigan State in a matchup Whittingham made clear carries plenty of edge. He said the Wolverines’ preparation won’t change, but the emotion around the game is impossible to ignore.
“Our preparation model will not change,” Whittingham said. “However, there’s that little element, not little, but an element of emotion and intensity that takes care of itself.”
Michigan is also making sure its younger players understand what the rivalry means. Whittingham said about 55 players on the roster have never experienced the Michigan-Michigan State game, and the program plans to bring in two or three former players to talk about it.
Whittingham didn’t shy away from the weight of the matchup when asked about the rivalry’s place in college football.
“Honestly, gave it no thought. I’m just right off the cuff here,” Whittingham said.
“I don’t want to paint or come across as that rivalries aren’t important. They are,” Whittingham said. “This game is the Super Bowl, particularly for them, in my opinion.”
He added that he wasn’t trying to diminish the game.
“We don’t want to downplay it at all. And I’m not trying to downplay it, but still, when all is said and done, you got to keep everything in perspective,” he said.
Whittingham was also asked whether coaching at a school with both Michigan State and Ohio State on the schedule creates a different kind of challenge. He said it’s familiar territory.
“I’ve been through that before,” Whittingham said. “I don’t think that’s that uncommon where you have a couple of teams that are targeted.”
Michigan also opened up a kicking competition this week. Trey Butowski, Jacob Baggett and Stuart Blake will compete for the job, with the staff evaluating them in practice and in front of the team, similar to what the program did during fall camp. The winner of that competition will handle kicking duties on Saturday.
There are still a few injury questions, too. Whittingham said there was no update on Andrew Sprague after another evaluation Sunday, though more information was expected Monday before a decision on his return to practice. He said John Henry Daley and Dominic Nichols are expected to play against Michigan State.
Up front, Whittingham praised Avery Gash for stepping in at right guard against Rutgers after an injury, and said Andrew Babalola is making progress but is not yet ready to break into the starting lineup. He also said the offensive line still needs to get better in terms of physicality and efficiency.
Saturday’s offensive output, though, gave Michigan something to build on. Whittingham called it the team’s best showing of the season, even if the running game still has room to grow.
Savion Hiter led the way with 79 yards on 20 carries, while Jordan Marshall had a quieter day. Whittingham said Marshall’s reduced workload was not tied to injury and credited Hiter’s effectiveness for the split in carries.
“We are playing elite defense,” Whittingham said. “And the offense has started to get some traction,” Whittingham said.
Michigan now turns to the final stretch of the regular season with momentum, bowl eligibility in sight and the Paul Bunyan Trophy on the line when the Spartans come to Ann Arbor at 7:30 p.m. on Peacock.
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