Michigan’s quarterback conversation has reached the point where a change feels inevitable, but the timing still matters.
After the loss to Minnesota and a bye week to stew over the worst offensive showing since the 2024 loss to Illinois, the Wolverines are staring at a messy reality: what looked like a unit ready to take a step forward has instead taken one in the opposite direction. The fan base has made its frustration clear, and head coach Kyle Whittingham has already acknowledged the need to look at everything and make some “tough decisions” about what comes next.
Bryce Underwood is the quarterback drawing the heaviest criticism, and that reaction makes sense. He arrived with major pedigree, plenty of money in the bank, and 18 games of starting experience, but the highs have been uneven and the lows have been brutal. At this point, it’s hard to ignore the possibility that he may not be Michigan’s quarterback of the future.
That naturally points the conversation toward freshman Tommy Carr. He has flashed enough in a limited sample to earn positive reviews from Whittingham and the staff, and there’s at least a real chance he ends up being the answer. The temptation is obvious: if Carr might be the future, why not find out now?
The problem is that “now” may not be the right word.
Michigan has more than a week before facing Penn State, which makes this a sensible window to begin preparing Carr for a bigger role. But there’s a difference between grooming a freshman and forcing him into the fire before he’s ready.
If the Wolverines are going to make the switch, it should be because they’re confident in Carr’s development, not just because they’re fed up with Underwood. Last season’s mistake of starting a freshman quarterback too early helped create this mess in the first place.
That’s why rushing Carr into the next two games would be the wrong kind of urgency. The offense has more problems than the quarterback spot, and changing one name under center won’t fix missed blocking assignments, questionable play calls, or the other breakdowns that keep piling up.
The schedule doesn’t exactly offer a soft landing, either. Penn State comes first, and even with the game coming after a bye and being played at home, it’s not the ideal spot to break in a new quarterback.
D’Anton Lynn’s defense has been one of the better units in the country against the pass, allowing the second-fewest passing yards per game in the nation. After that comes Indiana, and that defense is even better.
Throwing Carr into those matchups before he’s truly ready would be asking for a lot. It could overwhelm him, damage his confidence, and slow down his growth before it ever gets going.
A more sensible path would be to target Rutgers on October 31 for Carr’s first start. That game is on the road, but the environment shouldn’t be especially hostile.
In the New York-New Jersey area, it might even feel like something close to a home game for Michigan. And after that comes a home game against Michigan State.
There’s also the possibility that Michigan sees no real difference in the short term no matter who plays quarterback. If the offense keeps missing assignments and sputtering all over the field, the change under center won’t matter much against Penn State or Indiana. But if the staff is going to make a move, it should be with the future in mind.
That means giving Underwood one more shot against tough competition while allowing Carr the time he needs to be fully ready. If Michigan wants a stopgap before Carr is prepared, veteran Colorado State transfer Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi remains an option.
Once a starting quarterback, and a team captain, is benched, there’s no easy way back. That move has to be made with conviction, because the only reasons to do it are to salvage a season or fully commit to what comes next. With Oregon, UCLA, and Ohio State still ahead, the second option looks a lot more realistic.
Michigan needs to think long-term here, even if that means waiting a little longer before handing the job to Carr.
In Other News...
Michigan Finally Has A Passing Game Bright Spot Fans Can Believe In
For a Michigan passing game that has spent plenty of time searching for a reliable spark, JJ Buchanan has given Bryce Underwood a clear place to go early and often. The sophomore wide receiver, a transfer from Utah, has quickly become the Wolverines most productive receiver, leading the team in receiving yards and touchdowns through the first five games while piling up a record-setting debut and multiple 100-yard outings.
That kind of start was enough to put Buchanan on the midseason watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to one of college footballs top receivers. For Michigan, the bigger takeaway is less about the award buzz and more about the fact that the offense finally has a pass-catcher who is shaping defenses and changing how the Wolverines can attack on a week-to-week basis. [Read more 🡒]
Jake Butt Just Said What Michigan Fans Fear About This Offense
Jake Butt did not hold back when he looked at Michigans offense on Big Ten Network, and his criticism landed because it hit on the same unease plenty of fans have been feeling. The former Wolverine and current analyst said the unit still lacks a real identity, pointing to confusion in the blocking schemes and a broader sense that the coaching staff has not settled on how it wants to use its players. He also praised former offensive coordinator Chip Lindseys approach from last season, a reminder that the current struggles are not just about execution but about direction.
The quarterback discussion is now part of the conversation, too, with Butt questioning Bryce Underwoods decision-making and suggesting Tommy Carr might be the better option. For a Michigan offense trying to find traction, that kind of public assessment only sharpens the pressure on the staff to define what this group is supposed to be. Butts bottom line was clear enough: if the Wolverines want to get moving, they need to lean back into their downhill running game and stop searching for answers in a system that has not yet given them one. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Bye Week Puts Kyle Whittingham's Toughest QB Call Front And Center
Michigan is at its bye week, which makes this a natural pause to take stock of the quarterback situation and the choices sitting in front of Kyle Whittingham. Bryce Underwood has been the starter and a team captain, but his play has come with the kind of uneven stretches that force a coaching staff to look hard at every option. Behind him, Tommy Carr has given the Wolverines a glimpse of promise in limited action, enough to keep the conversation alive without settling it.
For Whittingham, the hard part is not just evaluating performance, but weighing what a change would mean for the room, the offense and the stretch run ahead. Michigan has not announced any decision, and the bye week only adds to the scrutiny because there is time to think but no game to hide behind. The next move at quarterback is still open, and for a team trying to steady itself, that uncertainty hangs over everything. [Read more 🡒]