Klatt: Michigan's offense has 'massive problems' that start with scheme, players, and coaching

Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt has seen enough of Michigan's offense this season to know something is seriously wrong. After calling two Wolverines games in 2026, Klatt broke down the team's struggles on his show, pointing to a fundamental disconnect between what the coaches want to run and the players they have to run it.

Klatt's assessment comes after Michigan's loss at Minnesota, a game where the defense held its own but the offense repeatedly failed to capitalize. The Wolverines have a bye week to fix things before facing Penn State, but Klatt says the problems run deeper than a single bad game.

Defense is fine, offense is the problem

Klatt was clear that Michigan's issues are almost entirely on one side of the ball. The defense, he said, is doing its job despite being on the field for extended stretches.

“I do not see any problems on the Michigan defense,” Klatt said. “They've got the right scheme. They've got the right players to execute that scheme.”

In the Minnesota game, Michigan's defense created turnovers and short fields, but the offense couldn't convert. Klatt noted the defense was on the field for a staggering stretch from the second quarter into the third, yet still kept the Wolverines in the game.

Scheme and players don't fit, and that's a coaching issue

Klatt's central critique is that Michigan's offensive scheme, which draws from Utah's system, doesn't match the personnel on the roster. He broke it down using a simple framework coaches often use: scheme, players, coaches.

“I believe that there is a fit problem between the scheme and the players,” Klatt said. “And because there is a fit problem between the scheme and the players, that becomes a coach's problem.”

The offense relies on horizontal stretching and cutting, but Michigan's players were recruited for a more direct, downhill running style. Klatt pointed out that Utah's scheme worked because it had athletic offensive linemen and a quarterback who was an explosive runner. Michigan's current quarterback, Bryce, is talented but not that kind of threat.

Quarterback play and predictable reads

Klatt also flagged issues with the passing game, specifically Bryce's tendency to predetermine where he wants to throw the ball. He cited an interception as a prime example, noting that Bryce missed an open receiver because he locked onto his primary target.

“He locks in on those wide receivers,” Klatt said. “Their drop-back passing game is a lot of half-field reads. He predetermines where he wants to throw the football, and that has to get better.”

What needs to change for Michigan

Klatt believes Michigan needs to adjust its approach, particularly in the run game, to get back to what made the program successful.

“I believe that they need to get more direct and downhill at times in the run game,” he said. “What I'm used to is Michigan being very comfortable in the threes and fours and fives being direct and going at that time after time.”

Head coach Kyle Whittingham said after the Minnesota loss that he plans to evaluate everything on offense during the bye week. Michigan faces Penn State next, and Klatt made clear that adjustments are necessary if the Wolverines want to turn the season around.

“Everyone's going to have to adjust,” Klatt said. “It was sloppy, and it's certainly got to get better if they want to improve.”

What does this mean for Iowa?

For Iowa fans, this is a reminder that the Hawkeyes' defense gave Michigan trouble earlier this season, and Minnesota's approach showed a blueprint that works. If Michigan can't fix its offensive identity, the Big Ten race could get even more interesting.

Iowa's own defensive style has historically frustrated opposing offenses, and Klatt's analysis suggests Michigan's struggles aren't a one-week fluke. The Wolverines have a bye to make changes, but the clock is ticking.