Michigan’s Halloween date with Rutgers will come in the early window.
The Big Ten announced that the Wolverines and Scarlet Knights will kick off at 12:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network on Saturday, Oct. 31, when they meet at Shi Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. It will be the third time in four games that Michigan has been slotted into an early kickoff, a stretch that goes back to its 20-14 loss to Minnesota in Week 5.
Before that trip to Rutgers, Michigan has one more noon start on the schedule this weekend, when it faces Indiana on Fox.
The Wolverines are 4-2 overall and 1-2 in Big Ten play. Rutgers enters at 2-4 and also sits at 1-2 in the league.
Michigan has owned this matchup since Rutgers joined the Big Ten, going 9-1 against the Scarlet Knights. The only loss came in 2014, Rutgers’ first season in the conference, when it pulled out a 26-24 win. Since then, Michigan has stacked up nine straight victories.
The teams did not meet in 2024, even though they had faced each other every year for a decade before that. When they did cross paths in 2023, Michigan won by 24.
The last game in New Jersey was even more one-sided, a 52-17 Wolverines win. Other recent results have tilted heavily Michigan’s way as well, including a 52-0 shutout in 2019, a 42-7 win in 2018 and a 78-0 blowout in 2016.
There have been a couple of tighter battles mixed in, though. Michigan survived 48-42 in triple overtime in 2020 and held on for a 20-13 win in 2021.
Rutgers comes in off its first Power Four win of the season, a 37-30 victory over Maryland last week. Greg Schiano’s team has also had some competitive losses, falling by seven to both USC and Boston College. But the Scarlet Knights have also taken two rough defeats, losing 47-15 to Indiana and opening the season with a 37-21 upset loss to UMass.
In Other News...
Michigan Fans Are Stuck Waiting On The Team's Biggest Indiana Decision
Michigan has already made its quarterback call for Indiana, but fans will have to wait a little longer to hear it from Kyle Whittingham. After Tommy Carr helped steady the offense in relief against Penn State, leading touchdown drives and protecting the ball, the conversation around the position has only gotten louder, especially with Bryce Underwood coming off a rough outing that included two interceptions.
Whittingham declined to reveal the starter, leaving the most important question for Saturday still hanging over the week. The decision could shape how Michigan approaches Indiana, and there is at least some intrigue around whether the Wolverines lean on the hot hand, try to get Underwood back on track, or use both in some capacity. For now, the plan is in place, even if the public part of it is still being kept under wraps. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Should Watch Utah's QB Decision Before Indiana Closely
Utah still has a quarterback decision hanging over its upcoming matchup with Indiana, and Kyle Whittingham didnt tip his hand when he met with reporters this week. He said a plan is in place, but he stopped short of naming a starter, leaving the Hoosiers to prepare without knowing exactly who will be under center.
Whittingham did sound encouraged by what he has seen elsewhere on offense, pointing to the Utes recent rushing production and the play of the offensive line. He also singled out the contributions and availability of several individual players, a reminder that the quarterback situation is only part of the picture as Utah works through the final stages of game prep. [Read more 🡒]
Michigans Penn State Win Raised A Massive QB Question
Michigans 21-18 win over Penn State came with a notable halftime tweak, and it changed the feel of the offense almost immediately. After the Wolverines were blanked in the first half, head coach Kyle Whittingham turned to true freshman Tommy Carr in place of starter Bryce Underwood, and Michigan responded by putting up all of its points after the break.
Carrs line was modest on paper, but it was enough to give the offense some rhythm, with 5 completions on 7 attempts for 47 yards, plus 36 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. The result leaves Michigan with a bigger conversation at quarterback than it had going into the game, especially with a road win in a tight conference game showing how quickly the depth chart can become a moving target. [Read more 🡒]