Michigan lost 15-6 to Michigan State on Saturday night.
Here are the key takeaways from this loss.
Kyle Whittingham is in over his head
Whittingham came into the game saying it was Michigan State’s Super Bowl — an unnecessary comment to make and one that makes Michigan’s loss even more embarrassing. If this was Michigan State’s Super Bowl, why wasn’t Michigan ready for the game? After all, this is a major rivalry game. Whittingham has said several times this season that he doesn’t want to micromanage, but isn’t that what a head coach should do? Instead, Whittingham is often immobile on the sidelines and doesn’t communicate with anyone.
Michigan was simply embarrassed by a 2-6 MSU team, and serious consequences should soon follow – for Whittingham and the rest of the coaching staff. Whittingham said in September that this has been the most difficult year of his career, and as each week goes on, it becomes more and more clear that he is not cut out to lead the program. Michigan isn’t improving under Whittingham; they get worse. And there is no evidence that this will change. And if that doesn’t change, why should he stick around? If anything, the longer Whittingham remains Michigan’s head coach, the worse off the program will be.
Here’s a question for everyone: what exactly does Kyle Whittingham do? Does it motivate? Does he communicate often with players and his quarterback on the sidelines? Does he coach the players? Or does he stand aside and let his coaching staff do everything? These are legitimate questions.
There are far too many good coaches in this country who would be inspired and attack every day with far more energy than Whittingham displays. There is no sense of urgency; there is no real disdain for losing. The longer Michigan sticks with Whittingham, the more this program will struggle. The Whittingham era is the worst of Brady Hoke and Rich Rodriguez rolled into one.
Jason Beck should have been fired a month ago
Offensive coordinator Jason Beck fields an offense that takes football back more than a century. It’s awful, it’s unwatchable, and if you actually watch it, it’s incredibly painful. Beck doesn’t believe in using a fullback, an H-back, lining up in an I-formation or properly using tight ends. From runs on 3rd-and-8 that go nowhere to play designs where route spacing makes absolutely no sense, there is virtually nothing Michigan should keep in its current scheme.
Beck is the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the country at $3 million, but Michigan runs arguably the worst offense in the country. Michigan totaled just 192 yards of offense and finished 2 of 10 on third down. Michigan had four turnovers, averaging 2.1 yards per carry. Ugly, ugly, ugly.
Whittingham keeps mentioning that Beck has a history of success — but success at New Mexico State, Syracuse and Utah doesn’t translate to success in the Big Ten. Beck is too stubborn to adjust his plan and tailor things to the strengths of Michigan’s offensive personnel. This is a disaster that must end now. Beck needs to be fired.
A tough day for Tommy Carr
Carr didn’t look at all comfortable against MSU. Granted, he was sacked five times and Michigan’s offensive line is terrible — but even so, Carr danced with his feet too often, held the ball too long and made too many errant throws. Carr finished 14 of 26 for 138 yards with two interceptions.
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