Michigan’s win over Penn State changed the mood around the Wolverines’ season, but it didn’t exactly send the projection world swinging toward a flashy destination. ESPN and CBS Sports both slotted Michigan into the Cactus Bowl in their latest postseason predictions, a sign that the road ahead still feels very much up in the air.
The bowl game would be played on Dec. 26 in Tempe, Arizona, and the projected opponent is still a little fuzzy. ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach each had Michigan in the Cactus Bowl, with one calling for UCF and the other picking Cincinnati. CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford went with a Michigan-Cincinnati matchup.
Michigan’s position makes sense when you look at the rest of the schedule. The Wolverines are 4-2, but they still have No.
6 Indiana coming up this week, followed by Rutgers and Michigan State later in the month and into early November. At the same time, ESPN and CBS both view Indiana, Oregon, UCLA and Ohio State as clearly ahead of Michigan in the postseason pecking order, which leaves the Wolverines in a tricky spot despite the Penn State win.
That victory may have done more than just steady the season. The Wolverines also may have found a new quarterback.
Tommy Carr sparked multiple touchdown drives in the second half, capped the day with a scoring run of his own, and looked like he was running Jason Beck’s offense with purpose. In the process, he moved ahead of the struggling Bryce Underwood.
The Cactus Bowl itself has a new-old identity. It was once the original name of the Arizona-based game, later known as the Guaranteed Rate Bowl and then the Rate Bowl.
It had been played at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, until this season, when it was moved back to Tempe. Mountain America Stadium, previously Sun Devil Stadium, is the Arizona State home that hosted the game from 2006-15.
Elsewhere in the Big Ten projections after Week 7, ESPN and CBS painted a mixed picture. Illinois and Maryland were left out entirely.
Indiana was pegged for the CFP quarterfinals by ESPN and the semifinals by both ESPN and CBS. Iowa was projected to the Citrus Bowl by both sites.
Minnesota landed in the Pinstripe Bowl on ESPN’s board and the First Responder Bowl on CBS’. Nebraska was slotted for the ReliaQuest Bowl by both.
Northwestern showed up in a few different places, including the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, Pinstripe Bowl, and Music City Bowl. Ohio State was again projected into the CFP quarterfinals and semifinals.
Oregon landed in the Alamo Bowl, Penn State in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, UCLA in the CFP first round or quarterfinals, USC in the Holiday Bowl or Las Vegas Bowl, Washington in the Poinsettia Bowl or Sun Bowl, and Wisconsin in the Pinstripe Bowl or Music City Bowl.
If Michigan can push the finish line to 7-5 or better, the Cactus Bowl likely won’t be the destination. But if the offense stalls and the season goes sideways from here, the day-after-Christmas picture could get even worse.
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 🡒]