Five Burning Questions For Michigan Football Heading Into Michigan State

Michigan is coming off a 28-21 victory over Rutgers, but the Wolverines still have plenty of questions to answer heading into their rivalry matchup with Michigan State. Kyle Whittingham's team has shown flashes of improvement, particularly offensively, but consistency remains an issue. With the 2-6 Spartans struggling in virtually every area, Michigan has an opportunity to make a statement.

Here are five burning questions heading into the matchup.

Carr delivered his best performance as Michigan's starting quarterback against Rutgers, showing poise, mobility and improved decision-making. Whittingham praised the freshman afterward, suggesting that continued performances at that level could make him one of the nation's top quarterbacks. Now that Carr has officially been named the starter moving forward, can he continue developing against a Michigan State defense ranked No. 50 nationally against the pass?

Michigan State has been dreadful offensively, ranking No. 122 nationally in rushing offense and No. 117 in passing offense. Those numbers suggest Jay Hill's defense should dominate this matchup. Michigan has been particularly impressive defensively in recent weeks, including holding Rutgers without a completed pass in the second half. Can the Wolverines overwhelm the Spartans and produce their most complete defensive performance of the season?

Michigan has developed a frustrating habit of allowing inferior opponents to hang around. The Wolverines needed to survive a 28-21 battle against Rutgers despite entering the matchup with significant advantages. Michigan State presents another opportunity to establish control early. Can Michigan finally put together a convincing victory, or will turnovers, penalties and offensive inconsistency keep the Spartans competitive?

Whittingham has already acknowledged the intensity and nastiness surrounding this rivalry, but experiencing it firsthand will be different. Whittingham was a part of the Utah vs. BYU rivalry, but Michigan and Michigan State are on another level, especially recently. The Spartans may be struggling, but rivalry games often bring out unexpected performances. Can Whittingham keep his players disciplined and focused while ensuring they understand the importance of beating their in-state rival?

Michigan's 28-point performance against Rutgers provided some encouragement after weeks of offensive frustration. Carr's emergence has given Beck another dimension to work with, but the Wolverines still haven't consistently produced at the level expected. Against a Michigan State defense ranked No. 86 against the run and No. 50 against the pass, can Michigan take another step forward and prove its offensive improvement is sustainable?