Michigan's Whittingham: If Indiana's No. 6, 'then we're pretty good'

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 17: Head Coach Kyle Whittingham of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during the second half of a college football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 21-18.
Aaron J. Thornton / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham was frustrated about blowing an opportunity to beat a top-10 team Saturday, but he still believes his program is in a good spot.

"That was disappointing, to say the least," Whittingham told reporters after Michigan's 13-6 overtime loss to Indiana.

He added, "The three main issues in that football game: our inability to run the ball - couldn't get anything going in the run game - our inability to score touchdowns in the red zone - you can't win unless you score touchdowns in the red zone - and we're minus-1 in the turnover margin."

Whittingham went on to say, "If that's the No. 6 team in the country, then we're pretty good. We're a pretty good football team even though we're sitting here 4-3."

Michigan's defense played incredibly, holding Indiana to 212 yards of offense. Hoosiers quarterback Josh Hoover, who entered the game with 1,707 total yards and 19 touchdowns this season, threw for just 88 yards on eight completions and attempted only one pass in the second half, which ended up being intercepted.

However, Michigan's offense couldn't capitalize, managing just 224 yards of its own and no touchdowns. It drove into the red zone four times but produced only two field goals, including one as time expired in regulation after the Wolverines failed to punch in a game-winning touchdown.

The Wolverines' offense now ranks 106th in success rate and 115th in EPA/play among all FBS teams, according to TruMedia. Their 300.6 yards per game is also the second-worst mark among Power 4 programs.

"Offense is definitely not performing as well as the defense right now. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out," Whittingham added.

Freshman quarterback Tommy Carr, who made his first career start Saturday, completed 20 of 32 passes for 167 yards and two turnovers.

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