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Kyle Whittingham Defends Tommy Carr’s Big Ten Spot as $12M Bryce Underwood Benching Raises Michigan Questions

Michigan’s 21-11 comeback victory over Penn State on October 17 at the Big House marked a turning point in the Wolverines’ Big Ten campaign, but also spotlighted a bold coaching decision that raised questions about the program’s quarterback depth. After a dismal first half—where starter Bryce Underwood completed just 5 of 11 passes for 43 yards and threw two interceptions, including one that snuffed out a potential scoring drive—head coach Kyle Whittingham opted to insert freshman Tommy Carr at halftime.

Carr’s performance in the second half, where he finished 5 of 7 for 47 yards and added a 12-yard touchdown run, provided the spark Michigan needed to secure its first Big Ten win under Whittingham. The ground game, fueled by 211 rushing yards and key contributions from Bryson Kuzdzal and Jordan Marshall, further solidified the comeback.

Whittingham defended the decision, citing Carr’s preparation and composure, while noting Underwood’s struggles—including a $12 million NIL commitment that has drawn scrutiny amid the Wolverines’ offensive challenges.

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