Michigan’s QB gamble could get Kyle Whittingham fired. Kirk Herbstreit says do it anyway

Michigan's QB gamble could obtain Kyle Whittingham fired. Kirk Herbstreit notes do it anyway.

Key points

• 1 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, is 72-of-124 passing for 924 yards with five touchdowns this season.
• Carr, the grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, completed 5 of 7 passes for 47 yards in the second half against the Nittany Lions.
• Through the first seven weeks of the season, the Wolverines' offense ranks 17th in the Major Ten in scoring at 22.7 points per game.
• Michigan and Indiana are set for a noon ET kickoff at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct.
• Be sure to check out USA TODAY Sports' new College Football Unfiltered podcast, hosted by USA TODAY Sports columnist Blake Toppmeyer.

As Michigan prepares to host Indiana in Major Ten play on Saturday, Oct. 24, Kyle Whittingham and the Wolverines find themselves weighing their options at quarterback.

Do the Wolverines go back to a struggling Bryce Underwood, or do they stick with true freshman Tommy Carr. This person came off the bench in the second half and led Michigan to a win last week against Penn State?

HAYES: Michigan wasted millions on Bryce Underwood. Its best QB cost almost nothing Opinion.

ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit weighed in on the situation during the latest episode of his "NONSTOP" podcast with Joey Galloway, saying he is not concerned regarding boosters influencing the decision. Instead, Herbstreit remarked he'd base his decision on film evaluation and determining which quarterback gives the best chance to win a game.

"I don't care what the preconceived (notion was), what we're doing in spring ball. Now it's reality, " Herbstreit remarked. "If I think Tommy Carr can offer me a better chance, I'm looking at it through the eyes and the lens of a coach trying to win games. I don't know if these guys are, but me personally, that's how I'm looking at it."

According to Herbstreit, if Whittingham elects to go with Carr – which national reports point to – and it backfires, it could be a costly decision for the first-year coach. But it is one that he believes is worth the risk.

"I know by doing that (and) if it doesn't work out, you probably obtain fired. Or you play a guy who's struggling that I'm paying all this funds to and we secure the same old, same old and lose. Or I try something else that might spark the team, " Herbstreit remarked. "It's worth the risk to me."

Carr, the grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, completed 5 of 7 passes for 47 yards in the second half against the Nittany Lions. He additionally had a 12-yard rushing touchdown as he led the Wolverines to a 21-18 win that snapped a two-game skid.

REQUIRED READING: Michigan projected to start QB Tommy Carr over Bryce Underwood vs Indiana.

Underwood, the former No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, is 72-of-124 passing for 924 yards with five touchdowns this season. While fumbling the ball a pair of times, he has thrown six interceptions in six games.

Michigan and Indiana are set for a noon ET kickoff at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Be sure to check out USA TODAY Sports' new College Football Unfiltered podcast, hosted by USA TODAY Sports columnist Blake Toppmeyer. You can stream on YouTube or download via Apple podcasts and Spotify. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

For now, michigan's QB gamble could get Kyle Whittingham fired. Kirk Herbstreit says do remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.