Here are three things we learned about Michigan football heading into the bye week after falling 20-14 to Minnesota at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday, Oct. 3.
Offensive ineptitude
Though U-M only scored 19 points against the Hawkeyes in Week 4, there was a sense of optimism surrounding the unit, given Bryce Underwood threw for a career-high 276 yards and the team's 429 total yards was just 2 off its season high (against UTEP).
That was completely negated Saturday, however, in perhaps the Wolverines' worst offensive performance in a decade. Michigan managed just 180 total yards – 3.7 yards per play – the first time U-M managed that little in both categories since a loss to Minnesota in 2014.
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The Wolverines had nine possessions without a score – six punts, two interceptions and one turnover on downs – with just one touchdown. Not a single drive picked up more than 37 yards while only one of the final eight drives lasted more than 2:02.
The ground game was every bit as concerning as the aerial attack. Michigan ran 28 times for a season-low 79 yards and one touchdown. Michigan didn't have a single running back with a carry of even 10 yards. True freshman Savion Hiter's struggles continued, meanwhile, with eight carries for 9 yards.
"[Offensive line coach] Jim Harding was an outstanding offensive line coach, and again, a proven commodity," coach Kyle Whittingham said Saturday, attempting to discern why Michigan's run game hasn't been able to get going. "He’s always had a group that performs.
"I wish I had better answers for you. I’m not trying to lie to you or kid you. It’s just that I don’t, right as we sit here right now, I can’t give you a concrete answer and definitive answer as to why.”
Quarterback, coordinator questions
Most of the blame from the public has seemed to land at the feet of two people: Underwood and offensive coordinator Jason Beck. It makes sense.
Underwood regressed mightily against the Golden Gophers, going 10-for-21 for 101 yards and two interceptions. The first interception was particularly concerning, as he locked onto JJ Buchanan (and then subsequently overthrew him) and never saw Andrew Marsh running uncovered up the left sideline for a potential walk-in touchdown. The second pick was just an abject disaster – the players didn't appear on the same page, the offensive line got blown back and Underwood was hit as he threw.
There were other questionable decisions, such as a Wildcat snap on third-and-1 on the opening drive and another RPO with Hiter and Underwood, who've jointly had trouble with decision-making at the mesh point.
All that leads to questions about who should be calling plays and also who should be under center. Tommy Carr is a true freshman and unproven, but a bye week heading into back-to-back home games would seem to be the best chance to tailor a plan to him, unless U-M intends to roll with Underwood the rest of the way.
"We’ll sit down, and I’ll sit down with the entire offense and get everybody’s input and everybody’s perspective," Whittingham said "There’s more frustration than Coach Beck … I mean, his track record is outstanding as an offensive coordinator. So, might have to make some tough decisions here. We’ll see.
“Right now, to this point, through this portion of the season, it’s very … it’s unacceptable. The results are unacceptable right now. Again, I don’t have any specifics for you, and I’m not pointing fingers, certainly not pointing fingers at the players, but something’s got to be resolved.”
Coaching concerns
To be clear, Beck isn't the only coach called into question.
Special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs may have to change it up at punt returner after Marsh muffed a punt for the second time in five weeks. It's also inexcusable that twice U-M had gunners seemingly in position to down a punt inside the 10, yet failed to corral either chance.
Whittingham's clock management was also troubling. U-M's defense forced a three-and-out with 2:26 to play and though Michigan had two timeouts, Whittingham opted to save them for the offense and let time bleed to the two-minute timeout. Then, Iowa's punt somehow rolled for 15 seconds, leaving Michigan's offense just 1:45 at the end.
Michigan had one final chance, fourth-and-4 at midfield with less than 40 seconds to play, and still didn't use either timeout. Instead, the Wolverines ran a play, which resulted in an incompletion that ended the game.
Beyond that, it's the turnovers that Michigan continues to commit (tied for No. 114 in the country) and its turnover margin of minus-4 (also tied at No. 114).
There's been no discipline, few timely plays and a host of baffling errors. That's something Whittingham has to answer for.
"There's a disconnect," he said. "There's something going on from the Monday through Friday to what's going on on Saturday ... we'll just continue to figure it out."
Next up: Nittany Lions
Matchup: Michigan (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten) vs. Penn State (3-2, 0-2).
Kickoff: Time TBA, Saturday, Oct. 17; Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor.
TV/radio: TV TBA; WCSX-FM (94.7).
Tony Garcia is the Michigan beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football has bye week blues after Minnesota meltdown
