In the last 6 quarters (2 against Penn State & Indiana)

Michigan running
Between tackles 7.4 YPC
Outside the tackles 1.4 YPC

For the season
Between tackles 5.7
Outside tackles 3.3

For the 3.3 YPC outside tackles, that ranks us 136/138 in the country for the season

They’ve run the ball outside the tackles on 67% of their carries this season which is 5th most in college football, even though we’re clearly more successful between the tackles

We ran rhino over 50% of the time Saturday and the rhino (TE) released 2 times for a pass, once on the goal line. Therefore, we had 2/3 receivers against 4 DBs and 3 Linebackers when the RBs didn’t release or stayed in for pass protection

Absolutely horrible scheme

Simply asking “what do you think the benefits of Rhino are” is not strong enough.

“Through 7 games your outside run and passing schemes have not worked at all yet you guys have continued to do the same thing after change was promised. What is causing you guys to stay on this broken path? Is it time to use last years scheme as that was much more successful?”

Should be the questions at the very least.

Info Graphic

I've been digging pretty heavily into Michigan's offensive play-calling this season, trying to put some actual numbers behind what we've all been watching.

One thing that's frustrated me with Jason Beck's offense is how often we seem to run east-west instead of attacking downhill. So I wanted to see if the numbers actually backed that up.

I analyzed play-by-play data from 122 FBS teams through October 24, looking at how frequently teams run left or right compared to up the middle, and how productive those runs are.

Here's what I found:

How often Michigan runs east-west: - Michigan: 47.1% of directional runs - FBS average: 40.8% - Michigan ranks 26th out of 122 teams in frequency.

How effective those runs are: - Michigan: 4.09 yards per carry - FBS average: 5.89 yards per carry - Michigan ranks 117th out of 122 teams in production.

So Michigan runs east-west more frequently than roughly 79% of the teams in our dataset, despite being less productive on those runs than roughly 95% of them.

And here's another interesting part: Michigan averages 4.55 yards running up the middle, compared to 4.09 running left or right.

Now, there's an important distinction here. The play-by-play data identifies runs as left, middle, or right. Not every left or right run necessarily goes outside the tackles, so east-west is being used as a general description rather than a perfect classification.

And I'm not suggesting that every unsuccessful run is Beck's fault. Blocking, personnel, defensive alignment, and execution all matter.

But I do think it's fair to question why we're calling these runs at a higher rate than most of the country when we're getting considerably less production from them.

This is what I've been trying to understand about Beck's philosophy. Is he adapting his offense to what Michigan's players are actually doing well, or is he continuing to call the offense he wants to run regardless of the results?

I'm not arguing Michigan should exclusively run between the tackles. Obviously, you need variety to keep defenses honest.

But when you're near the bottom of FBS in production on a type of run you call more often than most teams, I think that's worth examining.

At what point does sticking with your offensive philosophy become refusing to adjust to your personnel?

Data Source & Methodology

All statistics were calculated using ESPN's college football play-by-play data for the 2026 season, through October 24.

I downloaded the individual game records and used Python to analyze rushing plays across 122 FBS programs with usable data.

Here's how the numbers were calculated:

• Rushing direction: Runs were classified as left, middle, or right using directional information in ESPN's play descriptions.
• East-west frequency: Left and right rushes were combined and divided by the total number of runs with an identifiable direction.
• Effectiveness: Total rushing yards divided by rushing attempts for the applicable direction.
• National comparison: Each team's frequency and yards-per-carry figures were calculated separately. The FBS averages represent the equally weighted average of the teams in the dataset, rather than pooling every rushing attempt together.
• Rankings: Teams were ranked by their percentage of left/right rushing attempts and their average yards per carry on those attempts.

A few important limitations: This is a 122-team sample, not every FBS program. ESPN's directional descriptions are not the same as detailed film charting, so some off-tackle runs may be classified alongside true outside runs. Quarterback rushes and scrambles may also be included. The frequency and efficiency figures were produced using slightly different classification filters, which is why their Michigan carry totals aren't identical.

This is descriptive analysis, not an opponent-adjusted efficiency model. It doesn't account for defensive strength, blocking assignments, or play design.

The goal isn't to claim these numbers prove Beck is a bad play-caller. It's to examine whether the actual production supports how frequently Michigan chooses to attack in certain directions.

Source: ESPN College Football — game-level play-by-play data, independently compiled and analyzed with Python.

So I get Whit isn’t gonna fire Beck halfway through the season. But is he so thick to not understand Beck is literally costing us games?

What if he promotes Alford to co-offensive coordinator?

Just to play it out and see if there’s a difference? We’re literally doing the definition of crazy. And if we do this for the rest of the season then I’ll lose every ounce of respect for Whit.

DO. SOMETHING. DIFFERENT.

"John, i love you. I love jj"

–Jim Harbaugh

Indiana regressed, Ohio State and Oregon both lost their QB’s to injuries, and UCLA is still a bit of an unknown.

Not sure why Beck is given so many chances

Dude just sits there and looks depressed all game. Grow a pair, fire your damn OC and put literally any moron who has ever played NCAA 14 in at OC.

That is all.

Caught the exhibition game vs Houston in Grand Rapids today. It was a rough game to watch (Houston looks tough again), but it was nice to see basketball getting underway.

A dude with a “Fire Jason Beck” sign got on the Jumbotron 😅

Averaging 42.1 yards per punt. Ranked 91st in FBS. With this offense and what he's shown as his max distance, this is almost never because of end zone proximity.

Only 3/5 field goals made past 29 yards. Both misses potentially game deciding, one of which was a completely botched chip shot.

Two muffed punts. One arguably game deciding.

99 yard TD allowed on a kick return. Game deciding.

Kerry Coombs needs to be on the same flight out of here as Jason Beck.

I have been a Michigan fan for my entire life. I have seen bone-headed play calls. I have lived a lot of losses. But this one is just sticking with me. I waited a sleep to post. But goddamn it this loss should not have happened.

I do not understand how you call that third down play with a win over the reigning narional champion in your sights, and knowing all you know about this team. It is ununfathomable. It is unconscionable. It is unaccountable.

Our players...despite everything...had us in a position to win that game. And because of an inexplicably inept OC--and a head coach who refuses to overrule him for some godforesaken reason--they are mourning a loss instead of celebrating a huge victory.

It's not right. I am not here for comments about patience and "hey, we got pretty close." It has been the same since day one, and EVERYONE deserves better.

Fire him and restart the offense with ANYTHING else. It cannot go on.

This team is on track to take the title of the worst offensive team in the modern era for the Wolverines.
Even Hoke put up 20ppg.
HOW IS THE PROGRAM OK WITH THIS 😩😩😩 what the absolute F*€K
Flush this turd (Beck) and move on.

I want Beck gone as much as anyone, that man cannot call a offense. But he's been Whit's right hand man since Utah. He's also got a BUYOUT as a fucking COORDINATOR of $9,000,000. That's unheard of, not to mention he's one of the highest paid coordinators in CFB. So unless Whit is fired I'd be absolutely stunned if Beck was fired.