Kyle Whittingam promises a change that could spark Michigan's offense

One of Michigan's biggest problems on offense has nothing to do with Bryce Underwood.

Ok, that's not entirely accurate, but the run-game issue Michigan has suffered since the game isn't Underwood's fault.

That is squarely on the coaching staff. Michigan football head coach Kyle Whittingham admitted as much on Monday night, speaking on the Inside Michigan Football radio show with Jon Jansen.

"We've said this for weeks and weeks: We're more of a downhill team, and I think we got away from that just a little bit. If we can continue to be a downhill team, let the offensive line just roll off the ball, that's where we're going to have our most success running the football," Whittingham said.

One problem of Michigan's own making is running Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter parallel to the line of scrimmage instead of right at it. After this run offense, with all five offensive lineman currently playing starting at one time or another, the Wolverines averaged 210 yards and 5.4 yards per attempt.

This year, Michigan is rushing for 135 yards per game (3.8 per carry). There hasn't been a single run of 20 yards or more by a running back this season and it's game five.

Michigan football has to fix the running game

It felt like Jason Beck would be able to improve on that success easily with Underwood being more incorporated into the running game. Except the downhill running game Michigan has been so good at, although it got very good at outside zone last year, too, is something the Wolverines have nearly abandoned. Whittingham even said as much.

Marshall and Hiter are downhill runners. They are big, physical backs. Michigan has an offensive line that didn't have a problem opening lanes last season. Losing Andrew Sprauge hasn't helped. Getting him and Andrew Babalola back to 100 percent would be helpful, too.

It feels like Beck has tried to make his players adapt to his system, instead of adapting his system to his players, which should be easy with Underwood. One example is Hiter. Whether he is keeping the ball when he shouldn't or whatever the issue, stop putting him in that situation.

When Hiter has been given the ball in more traditional runs, he has been successful. So let him and the offensive line work. Get good at something, because right now, Michigan football doesn't have a single thing it can hang its hat on offensively.

A downhill running game would be easier if Michigan wasn't running into stacked boxes. Beck seems to think the Rhino will help, but it's more of a signal to the defense that the offense isn't going to pass.

It's a wrinkle that has worked before but isn't now. Michigan needs to get away from it, along with the other stuff that isn't working, which feels like most of playbook. Throw it in the trash and find something on the spacecraft that actually works because the current run game isn't.

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