Thank you for reaching out to ask2.extension.

Have you looked for any grubs?  That would be my first suggestion.

Another suggestion would be soil that is lacking in something and the grass is dying because of the that.  To find that out you'd have to do a soil test.  On the U of M extension site there is directions on how to do a soil test and where to send it.  Look for soil testing.

One other possibility is that the soil dries out really fast and there isn't enough moisture.

I would check for grubs in the soil and get a test done if you don't find grubs.

The soil test you could do now, but the rest may have to edit until spring.