Score Prediction: Can Tommy Carr and the Wolverines Pull Off the Upset Over Indiana?

Michigan picked up a much-needed 21-18 win over Penn State last weekend, but the Wolverines aren't exactly entering Saturday's matchup with Indiana firing on all cylinders. Kyle Whittingham's team needed a quarterback change at halftime to get things going offensively, and now true freshman Tommy Carr is very likely preparing for his first career start against one of the best defenses in college football.

That's a pretty difficult assignment for a young quarterback, especially considering how Michigan has performed offensively throughout the season. Still, the Wolverines have some talented pieces on both sides of the ball, and they'll need just about everyone playing at their best to get a victory at home.

This is where things could get ugly for Michigan.

Indiana enters the matchup ranked No. 4 nationally against the run, while Michigan is sitting at No. 85 in rushing offense. That's a massive mismatch on paper, especially when considering how much the Wolverines need their ground game to function in order to have any sort of offensive balance.

Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter have both shown flashes, but neither has consistently provided the production Michigan needs. Throw Carr into the equation as a running threat, and the Wolverines at least have another dimension to work with. Whether that's enough against Indiana's outstanding defensive front remains to be seen.

Guys like Mario Landino and Tyrique Tucker on the interior, and Tobi Osunsanmi and Stephen Daley off the edge, are going to make life difficult up front. Linebackers Rolijah Hardy and Isaiah Jones lead the Hoosiers in tackles and are very solid in the middle.

If Michigan can't run the football, the responsibility falls almost entirely on Carr's shoulders.

Indiana is No. 47 nationally against the pass, which is technically its weakest defensive area. That could create some opportunities for Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan, but asking a true freshman to consistently beat this defense through the air is a tall order, no matter how good his receivers are.

Carr provided a spark against Penn State. Now we'll find out whether he can sustain that success against a significantly tougher opponent.

The Wolverines have a much better chance of competing on this side of the football.

Jay Hill's defense has enough talent and experience to make Indiana uncomfortable, particularly in the secondary. Michigan has veteran defensive backs capable of challenging receivers Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh, although keeping those two contained for four quarters won't be easy.

Both Becker and Marsh are two of the most dangerous receivers in the Big Ten, and Josh Hoover has done an excellent job taking care of the football — 18 touchdowns vs. zero interceptions says so. The Indiana quarterback has been impressive during this seven-game interception-free stretch, and Michigan desperately needs to find a way to end that streak.

Generating pressure without sacrificing coverage will be important. Hoover has enough weapons to punish Michigan if he's consistently given time to survey the field.

The Wolverines also have to account for Lee Beebe Jr. and Turbo Richard in the running game. Indiana's offensive balance makes it difficult to focus on any single area.

Michigan's defense should be capable of producing stops, but the bigger question is whether the offense can capitalize when those opportunities arrive.

Michigan certainly has a path to making this competitive. The Wolverines need to establish some semblance of a running game, protect Carr from obvious passing situations and create a couple of turnovers defensively.

Unfortunately, that's a lot to ask when it hasn't been the norm thus far, and against an Indiana team that has been consistently excellent throughout the season.

I expect Michigan's defense to keep things relatively close through the first half, but Indiana's defensive front will eventually make life too difficult for Carr and the Wolverines. The Hoosiers have more offensive firepower, more consistency and more confidence, even after a loss.

Michigan 17, Indiana 27