Takeaways from Michigan’s bad loss to Minnesota

The Michigan Wolverines lost to the Minnesota Golden Gophers 20-14 on Saturday and are now 3-2 on the season.

Here are key takeaways from Michigan's loss.

Scheme and coaching problems at HC and OC

Kyle Whittingham has opted to not call a timeout in key situations repeatedly this season. A timeout should have been called ahead of the last play versus Iowa with Michigan in a disadvantageous defensive coverage. Whittingham should have called a timeout in the first half in a 3rd & 15 situation to prevent a delay of game —instead, a penalty ensued; it wound up being 3rd & 20 and Michigan would go on to punt.

From a schematic standpoint, offensive coordinator Jason Beck continues to put together a game plan that isn't tailored to the strengths of Michigan's personnel. Michigan had just 180 yards of total offense. Beck continues to dial up outside run plays when Michigan doesn't have the linemen to run that scheme. Michigan has fared much better running power in recent years. Michigan's run game was not an issue during the Sherrone Moore era, nor the Harbaugh era. Yet with Beck as offensive coordinator, the rushing attack is a shell of its former self. Beck has also mixed in Wildcat plays this year, which have been ineffective.

Michigan's offensive line could certainly do better in run blocking regardless of what scheme is being run, but the creativity in the playcalling isn't there either. Northwestern just steamrolled Penn State in a 34-13 win with 413 rushing yards. Northwestern offensive coordinator Chip Kelly put together as impressive an offensive game plan as I've seen this year, running plays you would see in a wing-t offense from 100 years ago with absolute cohesion. In short, Michigan doesn't have running schematics that are going to catch a defense off guard, and other teams are light-years ahead of them right now in that regard, including Northwestern.

Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood was 10-of-21 for 102 yards with two costly interceptions. While some of Underwood's rough day can be attributed to poor offensive line play, which allowed three sacks and constant pressure, Underwood still had his chances to win the game and didn't execute.

On Underwood's second interception of the game, he threw to JJ Buchanan in double coverage when Andrew Marsh was wide open for a touchdown.

Underwood would go on to have a chance to make a comeback, but with the ball at the 50 with 37 seconds to go and facing a 4th & 5 situation, Underwood airmailed the ball roughly ten yards out of bounds. Underwood is nearly midway into his sophomore season and has now started 18 collegiate games — at what point is exponential improvement needed? Because Underwood has shown limited progress to this point in terms of both reading defenses and being consistently accurate. Michigan has a bye week coming up, followed by a home tilt versus Penn State — could Michigan consider a change to Tommy Carr at quarterback? Everything should be on the table for 3-2 Michigan.

It's hard to fault Michigan's defense in this one. They generated two interceptions, including a pick-six by Nathaniel Staehling. Minnesota had a drastic time-of-possession advantage of 37:36 to 22:24. Michigan allowed just 262 yards of total offense and isn't the reason Michigan lost. Bryce Underwood's two interceptions, Andrew Marsh's muffed punt, and Michigan going 3-of-10 on third down put Michigan's defense in continuously bad situations.