Kyle Whittingham said that some tough decisions would need to be made after the brutal loss to Minnesota in Week 5, leaving the Wolverines' season on the brink of disaster.
Yet, after the bye week, Whittingham, who met with the media on Monday ahead of Michigan football's game against Penn State on Saturday, said for the most part, major changes weren't coming.
Is that a mistake?
Kyle Whittingham isn't panicking
There is a reason to think that Michigan is close. If the Wolverines didn't allow a kickoff return for a touchdown against Iowa, and if Andrew Marsh didn't muff that punt against Minnesota, the Wolverines are probably 5-0.
Nothing is guaranteed, but it felt like the wheels came off after that against Minnesota, never to be found again.
It wasn't realistic to think that Whittingham was going to change offensive coordinators during the bye week. Jason Beck is being paid over $3 million. He's had some really successful offenses at Utah and New Mexico. It's just time for him to figure it out.
Whittingham did say Michigan needed to tailor the offense more to Bryce Underwood. The head coach also rightly pointed out that Underwood, who is 6-foot-4, 230 pounds and runs like the wind, gives U-M the best chance to win. When he gets time in the pocket, he's an incredible passer, too.
However, the coaching staff needs to recognize when he gets rattled. They need to do a better job of putting him in a position to succeed. That didn't happen against Minnesota. The Gophers crashed down hard, especially against the Rhino package, and Beck didn't have an answer.
Whittingham said the Wolverines are still going to use the Rhino a lot. He said it's better for pass protection, although when the Rhino is blocking an edge, instead of a tackle, that's not necessariy true.
Now, if Andrew Babalola is 100 percent (he's practicing) or at least good enough to be the Rhino, I'm more in favor of it. I'd still like to see more Zach Marshall.
Whittingham is sticking with Underwood. That's the right call. Tommy Carr did get more practice reps, though. The leash is shorter, as it should be.
Underwood needs to perform, which he usually does better at home. Saturday will be his 19th start. The Minnesota game can and will be forgotten if he can play solid football over the next seven games.
Michigan's defense is College Football Playoff caliber. It was in 2024, too. This offense hasn't been much better than that one.
However it happens, that's what needs to change coming out of the bye week, starting with the Penn State game, a game the Wolverines must win.
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