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Michigan is sticking with Tommy Carr against Oregon in a move that's hard to understand

Tommy Carr will start against Oregon.
ByChris Peterson
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Nov 7, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Tommy Carr (14) looks to pass the ball during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Nov 7, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Tommy Carr (14) looks to pass the ball during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

It only took one extra day, but Michigan football is expected to start Tommy Carr on Saturday against the Oregon Ducks, according to a report from Pete Nakos of On3.com.

It's always interesting when these reports come out. Why wasn't it just announced on Monday that Carr would remain the starter?

Michigan is putting Tommy Carr in a tough spot against Oregon

Michigan football head coach Kyle Whittingham said after the 15-6 loss to Michigan State that Bryce Underwood should have gone in the game. Tommy Carr was just having a tough night. It was clear he couldn't make all the throws that needed to be made.

Throwing over the middle of the field was a disaster. Carr was intercepted twice. He was also sacked five times by the Spartans as the offense managed fewer than 200 total yards.

Carr has had some good moments, though. Michigan scored 21 points in the second half against Penn State, although all 21 of those points came off turnovers.

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Carr also led the Wolverines to 28 points against Rutgers, accounting for over 300 yards. Bryce Underwood accounted for over 300 yards against Iowa, a much better defense, but he had to come off the field when he did.

It has been four games, though. Carr started against Indiana, Michigan State, and Rutgers. The Wolverines scored 46 points in those three starts. That's not good enough. Carr looks as lost as Underwood does at times, which is to be expected for a freshman quarterback.

This isn't about Tommy Carr not being a good quarterback. It's about him not being ready. With three games to go, it feels like the best option for Kyle Whittingham, if he wants to keep his job, is to go back to Bryce Underwood.

Maybe sitting was good for Underwood, and maybe if he started playing better and Michigan started winning, the Wolverines could keep him. That seems unlikely, and you could make the same argument for Carr.

However, one day after Whittingham talked about Oregon having $50 million to buy players, it was reported that Michigan football is keeping its $12 million quarterback on the bench.

Make that make sense. Carr is completing 67 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and three interceptions. He also has three touchdown runs and a QBR of 70, which is higher than Bryce Underwood's. So who knows.

It just felt like it would have been a good time to make a change.

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