After playing quite possibly its best game of the season and still losing, Michigan has now played potentially its worst game of the season, and the rest is the same. A 20-14 loss to Minnesota, the Wolverines' first since 2014 and their first loss in Twin Cities since 1977, drops Michigan to 3-2 on the season and 0-2 in Big Ten play.
The Iowa loss could at least be attributed to undisciplined play with penalties and a lack of trust in Bryce Underwood on the final Michigan offensive drive. The Minnesota loss was flat-out poor play from the offense, while the defense gave them every opportunity to not lose the lead.
When the defense gets two turnovers, one of which it returns for a touchdown, the Michigan offense needs to pull its weight, but instead, it struggled to move the ball down the field all afternoon. So, when looking at who the biggest losers are for Michigan in the loss to Minnesota, the defense has been spared, and all eyes are on the offense.
5. CFP chances
Now, Michigan's College Football Playoff chances are not completely gone, but it isn't looking good for the Wolverines right now. One loss to Iowa, who could suffer its first loss today at the hands of Ohio State, and now a loss to Minnesota, and the Wolverines still have yet to face Indiana, Oregon, and the Buckeyes this season.
The good news is that with a tough schedule, if Michigan finds a way to win out the rest of the way, it could still be alive for the CFP, but that is a tall task, especially with how the Wolverines performed today.
4. Michigan offensive line
Yes, Michigan's offensive line has been a revolving door with injuries this season, but their play against Minnesota was atrocious. Just a few days after OL coach Jim Harding spoke about injuries not having an impact on this unit, it is hard to say they aren't. Andrew Sprague missed his third straight game, putting Brady Norton on the field, and this line simply could not stop the rush from the Golden Gophers.
Underwood was under pressure all day, making it hard to get the passing game going, and the run game had no blocking ahead of it. This line is proving to be a real problem, and hopefully, when guys like Sprague, Andrew Babalola, and Manuel Beigel get healthy, improvement will follow.
3. Jason Beck
It might be time to start pointing some fingers at offensive coordinator Jason Beck. The playcalling is showing an utter lack of trust in Underwood, as he barely threw the ball over 10 yards until it was too late. Run plays are bland and give the backs no real chance at big plays.
Whittingham said postgame that no one is more frustrated with the offense than Beck, but it feels like it is one step forward and three steps back for the Wolverines. Last week, Michigan moved the ball very well, but couldn't finish in the red zone. One step forward. This week, Michigan couldn't move the ball very well, and when they did, it was turnover after turnover. Three steps back.
2. Bryce Underwood
Underwood played what looked like his best game of the season last week against Iowa. he threw for nearly 300 yards and really showed a great connection with top wide receivers Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan. However, against Minnesota, Underwood seemed to forget he could throw the ball to guys not named Marsh and Buchanan.
The only other pass-catcher to have a reception against Minnesota was tight end Hogan Hansen, who caught three passes for 22 yards. Underwood has to find a way to get the ball to other receivers like Salesi Moa, Travis Johnson, or Channing Goodwin because Minnesota found ways to take away Marsh and Buchanan, leaving him dead in the water.
1. Kyle Whittingham
In a game like this, sure, you can blame the offense, you can blame unforced penalties, and undisciplined play, but all of that goes back to head coach Kyle Whittingham. In his first season with the Wolverines, Whittingham isn't instilling a lot of faith in the fans that he can do this job, especially with the unforced penalties.
It has been a big topic of conversation for Michigan all season, but the Wolverines continue to be one of the most penalized teams in the country, averaging eight penalties a game. Whittingham is 3-2 so far at Michigan, and it could get worse before it gets better, but he now has the bye week to try to get his team right.
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