Melissa: We just lost to Indiana in overtime. Sixteen points scored across two days. The offensive line is getting pushed around, the freshman quarterback is making rookie mistakes, and now we’re heading to New Jersey to face a Rutgers team that hasn’t exactly been rolling. What do you make of this mess?
Ryan: It’s a tough look, Melissa. But before we spiral into despair, remember who we are. We’re Michigan. We dig in. And today, we’re opening the mailbag to answer your burning questions about Tommy Carr, Jason Beck, and whether this offense can actually score against Rutgers.
Melissa: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Melissa, joined by my partner Ryan. This is your daily deep dive into the Wolverines. Today, we’re tackling three big things: the fallout from the Indiana loss, the debate over keeping Offensive Coordinator Jason Beck, and our predictions for the Scarlet Knights matchup.
Ryan: That’s right. We’ve got emails from fans asking why JJ Buchanan is still the leading receiver with only fifty-seven yards, if Tommy Carr can survive another week of pressure, and what on earth is happening with the rushing attack where Jordan Marshall managed twenty-six yards on twelve carries.
Melissa: Let’s get right into it. First question comes from Sarah in Ann Arbor. She asks: 'Tommy Carr threw an interception against Indiana, but he also had twenty completions. Is he ready to be the starter long-term, or should we be worried about his decision-making?' Ryan, you saw the tape.
Ryan: Well, Sarah, here’s the thing. Twenty completions out of thirty-two attempts is a high completion percentage, sure. But context matters. He played against an Indiana defense that was playing prevent for most of the second half because they were up by double digits early. The interception came when he tried to force a throw into tight coverage instead of checking down. It’s a rookie mistake, but not necessarily a fatal flaw yet.
Melissa: So you’re saying the sample size is skewed because of the game script? That makes sense. But what about the protection? You mentioned earlier that the offensive line struggled. Does that impact his readiness, or is that a coaching issue?
Ryan: It’s both. Look, Tommy Carr is a freshman. He needs time to process. But when the pocket collapses, even the best quarterbacks in the country look shaky. Against Indiana, we saw guys like Andrew Babalola and Brooks Bahr trying to hold their ground, but the speed of the game at this level is just different. If the O-line doesn’t tighten up, Tommy’s accuracy will drop because he’ll be moving his feet constantly.
Melissa: Okay, so protection is key. Next question from @WolverineNation99. He writes: 'Why is Jason Beck still calling the plays? After a game like this, shouldn’t Kyle Whittingham make a change? The offense looks stagnant.'
Ryan: Ah, the classic mailbag question. And according to Adam Rittenberg, Whittingham is sticking with Beck. Now, I know that’s frustrating for fans who want instant gratification. But look at the roster. You have a freshman QB, a running back corps that includes Jordan Marshall and Jonathan Brown, and a receiving group led by JJ Buchanan. Changing play-callers mid-season often leads to more confusion, not less.
Melissa: But isn’t stagnation worse than confusion? If the playbook isn’t working, how do you fix it without changing the architect?
Ryan: You adjust the personnel usage. We talked about this yesterday. Maybe it’s not about changing the system, but about better utilization of the tight ends like Mason Bonner and Hogan Hansen. In that Indiana game, we didn’t see enough seam routes to stretch the field vertically. That’s a schematic adjustment, not necessarily a firing. Plus, Rutgers is a physical team. You don’t want to shake the ship right before a storm.
Melissa: Fair point. Shaking the ship in October is risky. Alright, let’s pause here for a quick word from our listeners. If you love this show, please consider supporting us. We keep the podcast free, ad-free, and daily because of you. Your support protects that freedom. Check the link in the episode description to help us keep going. Thanks for listening!
Melissa: Welcome back. Let’s talk roster battles. Marcus in Detroit asks: 'Who is the real lead back? Jordan Marshall had twenty-six yards on twelve carries. That’s barely two yards per carry. Where is the power run game?'
Ryan: Marcus, that’s a fair critique. Twelve carries for twenty-six yards is inefficient. But look at the other backs. Savion Hiter and Donovan Johnson haven’t seen much action. Micah Ka’apana is on the roster too. The truth is, Michigan has been trying to establish the run, but the defensive fronts in the Big Ten are just too fast. When you can’t run, you become one-dimensional, and that’s where we got hurt against Indiana.
Melissa: So it’s not just the backfield; it’s the scheme. What about the receivers? JJ Buchanan had six catches for fifty-seven yards. Is he the clear number one option, or should Logan Forbes or Braydon Alford be seeing more snaps?
Ryan: JJ is definitely the primary target right now. He’s reliable. But against Rutgers, you need to mix it up. Rutgers has a strong secondary. If you only look for Buchanan, they’ll double him. You need to use Logan Forbes on deeper posts and maybe get Jaime Ffrench Jr. involved in the slot. The depth chart is there—you have Channing Goodwin and Travis Johnson as well—but trust is built through repetition, and we haven’t gotten enough of that lately.
Melissa: Trust is earned. So, more reps for the backups? Or stick with the starters and hope for the best?
Ryan: Stick with the starters, but diversify the targets. You can’t bench a guy who has six catches unless he’s completely losing focus. But you also can’t ignore the fact that Chris Bracy had thirteen tackles on defense. The defense is holding the line, literally. The offense needs to match that intensity. If Tommy Carr can spread the ball to four or five receivers, the defense can’t key in on one guy.
Melissa: Alright, final question for this segment. Emily in Lansing asks: 'What does the future look like for Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi? He’s on the roster as a QB backup. Do we ever see him play?'
Ryan: Emily, great question. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi is listed as a QB backup behind Tommy Carr and Chase Herbstreit. Right now, Carr is the starter. Unless Carr gets injured or completely loses his grip on the job, Brayden won’t see the field this season. But having depth is crucial. If Tommy goes down, you need someone who knows the system. Brayden provides that stability, even if he’s not expected to take the snaps soon.
Melissa: Okay, let’s lighten it up. Hypothetical time. If Michigan could magically fix ONE thing before facing Rutgers tomorrow—better pass protection, a more explosive rushing attack, or tighter red zone efficiency—which would give them the best chance to win?
Ryan: Pass protection. Hands down. Without it, you can’t run the pass game effectively. If Tommy Carr has time, he can hit JJ Buchanan on intermediate routes. If he’s under pressure, he throws picks. Rutgers is a physical team, but they’re also vulnerable to the pass if they commit extra men to stop the run. We need to protect the quarterback to open up the field.
Melissa: I agree. Protection is everything. Lightning round! First name that comes to mind when you think of Michigan’s offense this season?
Ryan: Resilience. Because that’s all we have left.
Melissa: One-word prediction for the Rutgers game?
Ryan: Ugly.
Melissa: Ugly, but hopefully a win. We predicted 20-17 last time, and we’re sticking with it. A low-scoring defensive battle where Michigan’s toughness prevails. Thank you for tuning in to the Beatline Podcast Network. Please subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen. Share this episode with a fellow Wolverine fan!
Ryan: Keep your heads up, Maize and Blue. We’ll see you next time.