Michigan vs. Indiana: The Tommy Carr Era Begins in Ann Arbor

There comes a point in every football season when potential stops meaning much of anything. We've heard about the talent. We've seen flashes of what this team can become. We've watched a defense capable of going toe-to-toe with just about anybody. And yet, here we are, seven games into the Kyle Whittingham era, and we’re still thinking “if they can play clean, they can win”.

Saturday's showdown with No. 6 Indiana at the Big House is about more than knocking off the defending National Champions. It's about finding out whether the Wolverines are finally ready to become the team we thought we were getting when Whittingham arrived in Ann Arbor.

Last week's 21-18 win over Penn State offered a glimpse of something different. True freshman Tommy Carr replaced a struggling Bryce Underwood and injected life into an offense that desperately needed it. Now Carr faces an Indiana defense that will be the toughest Michigan sees all season.

Nobody should expect perfection from a freshman making his first collegiate start. But asking for competent, disciplined football is reasonable—and isn't that what we expected when Whittingham got hired? They will need to limit mistakes in order to have a chance against an Indiana squad that commits very few penalties and doesn’t turn the ball over.

Tommy Carr Doesn't Need to Be Superman

Let's get something straight: Tommy Carr is making his first-ever start. He isn't going to fix every offensive problem overnight. He's a true freshman, and Indiana's defense has been a nightmare for opponent passing attacks.

The Hoosiers get after quarterbacks. They’ve recorded 17 sacks in their four Big Ten games, including four against Ohio State. Their defense limits explosive plays, rarely helps opponents with careless penalties, and keeps the pressure on. Opponents are forced to grind out every yard.

Oddly enough, that makes Carr's assignment relatively simple, at least on paper: Protect the football, make the right reads, and don't try to win the game on every snap.

Oddly that makes Carr's assignment relatively simple, at least on paper: Protect the football, make the right reads, and don't try to win the game on every snap.

Against Penn State, Carr completed five of seven passes and added a 12-yard touchdown run that helped put the game away. More importantly, he brought a sense of control to an offense that had spent too much time looking dysfunctional.

Michigan doesn't need Carr throwing for 300 yards. It needs him to recognize pressure, take what the defense gives him, and live to play another down.

The temptation to force something will be there. Indiana will disguise coverages and pressure packages designed to confuse a young quarterback. Carr must resist the urge to become the hero.

Sometimes the most valuable play is throwing the ball away.

If Carr finishes Saturday without a turnover, Michigan's chances improve dramatically.

The Offensive Line Has to Show Up Like They Did in the Second Half of the Penn State Game

We hear this from every analyst every single week, but it is true: the line of scrimmage is where the game will be decided.

Indiana brings a relentless pass rush and a defense that makes running the football difficult. Michigan's offensive line, meanwhile, has struggled with consistency and is dealing with injuries.

That's not a particularly comforting combination.

But Michigan doesn't need its offensive line to dominate Indiana for four quarters. It needs the group to win enough individual battles to keep the offense grinding out field position and time of possession.

Whittingham's entire philosophy is built around physical football, controlling the line of scrimmage, and making opponents earn everything. Saturday would be an excellent time for his offense to start looking the part.

Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter need opportunities to establish a running game, even if the yards come three or four at a time. Carr needs manageable third downs instead of being forced into obvious passing situations.

Let the Defense Win It

Michigan's defense is good enough to not only keep the Wolverines in this game, but win it.

Indiana has a capable quarterback in Josh Hoover and a productive rushing attack, but Michigan's defensive front has been one of the team's most reliable units. The Wolverines have shown they can control the running game and force opponents to work for points.

Although Hoover is capable, he also has a history against Jay Hill’s defense at BYU. Less than a year ago, while playing for TCU, he went 10-23 and threw two interceptions in a blowout loss.

While the Hoosiers are far better than TCU, Michigan’s defense is also faster and more talented than BYU’s. It’s safe to say Tommy Carr won't be the only QB facing a major challenge this week.

The Michigan defense is one of the best in the nation, and so far it appears it might be one of the top five all-time at Michigan. But there's only so much a defense can do when it's constantly defending short fields after turnovers or watching the offense go three-and-out.

Michigan needs to match Indiana's discipline and find enough offense to control the clock and field position. Let the defense get the stops and turnovers needed to provide high-percentage scoring opportunities.

The Final Call

There's a path to victory here, and it doesn't require Michigan to suddenly become an offensive juggernaut.

Carr needs to play within himself. The offensive line needs to continue the success they had in the second half versus Penn State. And the Wolverines need to eliminate the turnovers, sacks, and foolish penalties that have repeatedly sabotaged their own progress.

Indiana will win if Michigan continues to make costly mistakes.

Michigan has a defense capable of making this an ugly, physical, low-scoring contest. And that's exactly the kind of game Michigan has a chance to win.

Expect a defensive battle where field position matters and touchdowns are difficult to come by. The kicking game will be huge in this one for both field position and points.

Carr keeps the football safe. The offensive line rises to the occasion. Michigan's defense holds strong when it matters most.

It won't be pretty. It won't be comfortable. But it might finally look like the Michigan football we've been waiting to see. The boys in blue win a field goal fest.

Prediction: Michigan 19, Indiana 16.

GO BLUE!