Tommy Carr can’t fix Michigan football’s biggest problem after Indiana loss

Tommy Carr can't fix Michigan football's biggest difficulty after Indiana loss.

Key points

• Going against one of the nation's best defenses, Carr completed 20 of 32 attempts for 167 yards with an interception and a fumble.
• Carr additionally cleared the highly low bar set by former starter Bryce Underwood, last seen tossing a pair of interceptions against Penn State before being yanked.
• The real matter for Michigan isn't quarterback play as much as a scheme that hasn't adapted to this roster or the Sizeable Ten.
• Kyle Whittingham still might keep Carr as the starter as he looks to salvage an ugly debut and create some momentum heading into the offseason.
• Until Beck loosens his grip and finds a way to maximize his personnel, Michigan's offense will continue to struggle.

One week after sparking Michigan's win against Penn State, freshman quarterback Tommy Carr failed to obtain the Wolverines into the end zone in a 13-6 overtime loss to No. 6 Indiana.

Going against one of the nation's best defenses, Carr completed 20 of 32 attempts for 167 yards with an interception and a fumble. He still managed to outplay Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover. This person went just 8 of 18 for 81 yards and tossed his first interception on the year.

Carr additionally cleared the highly low bar set by former starter Bryce Underwood, last seen tossing a pair of interceptions against Penn State before being yanked. On Saturday, Underwood was one of the highest-paid backup quarterbacks in America, in college and elsewhere.

In practice, a three-star recruit who was not projected to play much this season, Carr has an interesting skill set, good bloodlines and has flashed more upside than the other options on the roster. The other options aren't good, though.

More: Bryce Underwood didn't sulk after being benched. He supported Tommy Carr.

And he's additionally a true freshman who lacks experience, pocket awareness and the overall polish needed to be consistently move the chains against an opponent like Indiana. That doesn't inspire a whole lot of confidence with Oregon, No. 10 UCLA and No. 2 Ohio State ahead.

In other words, Carr's not going to take Michigan anywhere but a meaningless bowl game, if that. Not this season, anyway, and maybe not at any point during his time in Ann Arbor.

Kyle Whittingham still might keep Carr as the starter as he looks to salvage an ugly debut and create some momentum heading into the offseason. What else could he do? Offer the job back to Underwood?

Doing so without a clear vision for how Underwood can be successful would do a disservice to the Wolverines and a quarterback who might still have a market if he enters the transfer portal this winter.

Meanwhile, the real matter for Michigan isn't quarterback play as much as a scheme that hasn't adapted to this roster or the Sizeable Ten. The lack of inventiveness and a rigid commitment to a mismatched system have defined this season for the Wolverines and offensive coordinator Jason Beck.

That the defense is playing at an elite level makes this all worse. Atop the Major Ten in allowing 256.5 yards per game and 4.1 yards per play heading into Saturday, Michigan held Indiana to 212 yards and 11 first downs while allowing just two field goals in regulation.

In return, the offense provided 224 yards on 74 plays. The running game managed 57 yards on 42 carries, counting sacks. Given a number of opportunities to win this game, Beck's offense bears the responsibility for another loss.

There are some things to build on with Carr. He played well late, leading Michigan on a long drive ending with the tying field goal as time expired in the fourth quarter.

That should earn him the start next Saturday against Rutgers, but don't look for much to change: Michigan's problems on offense run much deeper than just quarterback play. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

For now, tommy Carr can't fix Michigan football's biggest problem after Indiana loss remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.