Curt Cignetti isn’t waiting around for Michigan to make anything official.
With Michigan still not publicly naming a starter for Saturday’s game against Indiana, the expectation around Bryce Underwood being on the sideline and Tommy Carr taking the first snap has only grown after Underwood was benched in favor of Carr last weekend. Cignetti sees it the same way. He also doesn’t rule out Michigan throwing both quarterbacks into the mix.
“You can see what you need to see in the second half of Penn State, in my opinion, which I watched," Cignetti said. "I'd assume it would be him [Carr].
It could be two quarterbacks on the field at the same time. That would not surprise me.
They did a lot of that at Utah, and the other guy [Underwood] can make plays. So, schematically, they didn't change a whole lot in the second half."
That uncertainty is part of the picture, but Michigan’s defense remains the part nobody is guessing about. The Wolverines bent a lot in their win over Penn State, yet they still came up with the stops and takeaways that swung the game. Three turnovers changed the tone, and that was exactly the sort of response the staff has been pushing for.
Cignetti came away impressed, especially with how Michigan played on that side of the ball.
"Really impressed with their defense, their quickness, their tenacity," Cignetti said. "The way they play, play in, play out, the way they run the ball.
This top flight defense. Offensively, they've got good running backs.
Quarterback came in, played really well. I mean, the other quarterback has a cannon and can run, makes a lot of plays with his legs.
And so, they'll be feeling pretty good about themselves after that victory. It'd be a very physical football game again, our eighth game in a row."
On the Indiana side, starting quarterback Josh Hoover has been efficient and careful, with 18 touchdown passes and no interceptions this season. Ohio State’s defense forced some errant throws last week, and Michigan will be hoping for a similar effect on Saturday. If Hoover is held around a 50 percent completion rate for a second straight game, the Wolverines’ defense gives them a real shot to create a turnover and tilt the game their way.
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 🡒]