Melissa: You are listening to the Beatline Podcast Network, America's number one daily sports podcast. I’m Melissa.
Ryan: And I’m Ryan. Today we’re diving straight into the mailbag for the Michigan Wolverines, and let me tell you, the headlines from this weekend are massive.
Melissa: That’s right. We’ve got a fresh slate after that gritty 28-21 win over Rutgers in New Jersey, and Coach Whittingham just dropped some serious news about the quarterback situation. But before we get there, here is what we are covering today.
Ryan: First, we answer your questions on Tommy Carr’s status now that he’s been named starter for the foreseeable future. Second, we break down the depth chart battles at running back with Savion Hiter leading the way. And third, we look ahead to the rivalry game against Michigan State and how this team can close out the season strong.
Melissa: So grab your blue and yellow gear, because we have a lot to unpack. Let’s get into it.
Melissa: Alright, Ryan, let’s jump right into Segment One. We’ve got a question from Sarah from Ann Arbor asking, 'With Tommy Carr being named starter for the foreseeable future, does this mean Braydon Alford or any other backup QBs are completely out of the picture?' It’s a big decision by the coaching staff.
Ryan: It’s definitely a commitment, Sarah. When Whittingham uses the phrase 'foreseeable future,' he’s signaling stability. After seeing Carr go 22-for-27 for 266 yards and two touchdowns against Rutgers, including those two rushing scores, the offense finally clicked. The offensive line protected him well, which was a theme we talked about yesterday.
Melissa: Exactly. And it wasn’t just the passing. That 427 total yards of offense was a breath of fresh air for a program that has struggled with consistency. But does 'foreseeable future' mean no more competition? What about Chase Herbstreit or Brady Norton?
Ryan: Competition always exists in college football, but the hierarchy is clear right now. Carr showed poise in the pocket and mobility outside it. Against Rutgers, they ran some specific personnel groupings to exploit their secondary, and Carr executed them. Unless he slips up, the ball stays in his hands. The coaching staff wants continuity as they head into November.
Melissa: That makes sense. Continuity is key when you’re trying to climb the Big Ten standings. Speaking of which, Marcus in Detroit asks, 'We’re sitting at 5-3 and 10th in the Big Ten. Is this season salvageable for a playoff push, or are we looking at bowl projections?' It feels like a tough spot.
Ryan: It is a tough spot, Marcus. Five wins against three losses puts you in the middle of the pack, but not quite in the thick of the conference race yet. The SP+ rankings are shifting every week, and right now, Michigan needs to win out to make a real statement. The margin for error is slim.
Melissa: Right. You need those final games to be wins. And that brings us to our next question from @WolverineFan99: 'How important was the defensive performance from Benny Patterson III and Enow Etta in keeping Rutgers off the board until the fourth quarter?' They were crucial, weren't they?
Ryan: Huge. Patterson had seven tackles, and Etta got that sack. Rutgers’ AJ Surace threw for 123 yards, which isn’t terrible, but holding them to 21 points when you score 28 yourself is a winnable equation. The defense kept them within striking distance, which allowed the offense to keep playing freely.
Melissa: It’s a balanced effort that we haven’t seen enough of all season. Okay, let’s move to Segment Two. We’re talking roster and depth chart battles. We’ve got a question from Jen in Lansing: 'Savion Hiter had 20 carries for 76 yards. With Jonathan Brown and Jordan Marshall also on the roster, who is really the lead back moving forward?' There seems to be a committee approach.
Ryan: It does feel like a committee, Jen. Hiter took the bulk of the work against Rutgers, which suggests he’s the primary option right now. He’s getting the volume, which is good for rhythm. But Jordan Marshall scored a touchdown, so he’s clearly involved in the red zone. Jonathan Brown provides another dimension.
Melissa: I love that versatility. Having multiple backs who can find the end zone keeps defenses honest. But what about the wide receiver corps? Tyler from Columbus asks, 'JJ Buchanan had five catches for 63 yards and a TD. Is he emerging as the top target for Tommy Carr?' He seemed to be the safe outlet.
Ryan: Buchanan is definitely the security blanket. In high-pressure situations, you go to your most reliable target. Buchanan made the big play on that six-yard touchdown pass. But don’t sleep on Logan Forbes or Braydon Alford either. The passing game is spreading the wealth, which takes pressure off any single receiver.
Melissa: That distribution is vital. If one guy gets double-teamed, someone else has to step up. And that’s exactly what happened with Buchanan. Now, Chris in Kalamazoo asks, 'What is the impact of the offensive line? We mentioned protection earlier, but how deep is this unit with guys like Andrew Babalola and Brooks Bahr?' Are they holding up?
Ryan: They held up. As we noted in yesterday’s film review, the O-line gave Carr clean pockets. Babalola and Bahr are veterans who know the scheme. Against Rutgers’ Sekou Kromah, who got one sack, they neutralized the rush for the most part. That allows the play-action game to work, which opens up those intermediate routes for Buchanan.
Melissa: It’s encouraging to see that cohesion. Without that protection, Carr doesn’t have time to make those reads. Okay, listeners, we have a quick message for you. If you found value in our breakdown of the Carr situation and the depth chart today, consider supporting the show. Your contributions help keep these daily episodes free and ad-free for everyone. Just click the link in the episode description to chip in. Thanks for helping us keep the beat going.
Melissa: Alright, let’s shift gears for Segment Three. We’ve got a fun hypothetical question from @GoBlue88: 'If Michigan State comes to town this Saturday, what is the one thing Michigan must do to secure the rivalry win?' It’s always a physical battle between these two schools.
Ryan: Control the line of scrimmage. Both teams have strong defensive fronts. If Michigan can run the ball effectively with Hiter and protect Carr, they control the clock. MSU is 2-6, so they’re desperate for a win, which means they’ll come out aggressive. Michigan needs to stay disciplined and avoid penalties.
Melissa: Absolutely. Discipline is key in rivalry games. Emotional plays can swing momentum fast. Now, let’s do a lightning round of quick takes. First up: Who was the unsung hero of the Rutgers game? Go!
Ryan: Trey Butkowski. The kicker was perfect on all his extra points and the field goals. Consistency under pressure is underrated.
Melissa: Agreed. Next: What is the biggest concern heading into the Michigan State game?
Ryan: Turnovers. Michigan needs to take care of the football. If they force turnovers on defense while protecting the ball on offense, they win easily.
Melissa: Final quick take: Prediction for the MSU game? I’m saying Michigan wins comfortably if they execute the game plan.
Ryan: I agree. Look for a solid defensive showing and another efficient outing from Tommy Carr. This team is finding its identity, and that’s what matters most.
Melissa: Well said, Ryan. To recap: Tommy Carr is the man for the foreseeable future, the running back committee is working, and Michigan needs to stay disciplined against Michigan State. Thank you for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network.
Ryan: Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen. It helps more fans find the show.
Melissa: And remember, support the network by clicking the link in the episode description if you enjoyed today’s mailbag. Go Blue!