Full Breakdown
Michigan Benchmarks: From Bryce Underwood’s Struggles to Tommy Carr’s First Start
By Drooid · · How we work
The Quarterback Shift
Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham bench-started five-star recruit Bryce Underwood at halftime of the Penn State game after Underwood threw two interceptions. Freshman Tommy Carr entered, completed five of seven passes for 47 yards, added 36 rushing yards and scored a touchdown, sparking a 21-18 comeback win. Whittingham has not announced the starter for the upcoming home game against No. 6 Indiana, but all indications point to Carr receiving his first career start.
Background & Context
Underwood arrived in Ann Arbor after a high-profile NIL package—Newsweek reports a $12.5 million deal, while Sporting News cites a $10 million figure—intended to flip his commitment from LSU. The former five-star quarterback has posted a 58.1 % completion rate, 924 passing yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions in six starts, and has fumbled twice. Michigan’s offense ranks near the bottom nationally in scoring (22.7 points per game) and big-play passing.
Data & Statistics
- Bryce Underwood: 58.1 % completions, 924 yds, 5 TD, 6 INT, 2 fumbles.
- Tommy Carr (vs. Penn State): 5/7 passes, 47 yds, 1 TD; 4 carries for 36 yds.
- Team rushing: 37 yds before Carr’s entry, 174 yds after (7.6 yds per carry).
- Turnover margin: Michigan is –3 on the season.
- Indiana defense: 24 sacks (fourth nationally), 41.5 % pressure rate.
Official Statements & Responses
Former Michigan coach Urban Meyer described the offense as “struggling all year” and highlighted Underwood’s better performance against Iowa. Former assistant Biff Poggi argued that Michigan’s pro-style gap scheme does not match Underwood’s skill set. ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said the decision should be based on film and the quarterback who gives the team the best chance to win.
Criticism & Opposition
Poggi’s assessment underscores a broader critique that the current offensive system was built for a different quarterback archetype, leaving Underwood at a disadvantage. Analyst Joel Klatt echoed this view, noting that Carr’s turnover-free production in the second half is the only viable path for the defense to succeed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don’t care what the preconceived (notion was), what we’re doing in spring ball. Now it’s reality,” — Kirk Herbstreit
- “We know exactly what we're doing and the plan going forward,” — Kyle Whittingham, under head coach
- “When we built the roster at Michigan, it was built for a pro-style gap scheme kind of offense, with a lot of play action and some deep shots and deep crosses,” — Poggi
- “It was just one of those things that, you know, the turnover margin is such an important part to winning football games,” — Jason Beck
What’s Next
Michigan will open the second half of its Big Ten schedule against Indiana at Michigan Stadium. The game will test whether Carr can sustain the turnover-free spark he provided against Penn State and whether the Wolverines’ defense can contain Indiana’s aggressive pass rush. Speculation continues about Underwood’s future; if he enters the transfer portal, programs such as Northwestern, Michigan State, LSU, Miami, Texas Tech, Georgia and Kentucky have been mentioned as potential destinations.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact size of Underwood’s NIL agreement: Newsweek cites $12.5 million, while Sporting News reports “over $10 million.” No official figure has been confirmed by the university. Detailed breakdowns of Underwood’s performance against specific defenses remain limited, leaving uncertainty about how much of his struggles stem from scheme fit versus execution.