Michigan was bound to take a step back, and everyone in college football, including the Wolverines’ fan base, knew it. After an undefeated 15-0 season and a national championship, the team lost 13 draft picks and head coach Jim Harbaugh to the NFL. Some regression was expected.
But Saturday’s loss was still a shock. The Texas Longhorns marched into Ann Arbor and dismantled Michigan. Despite being only a one-touchdown favorite, Texas won decisively, 31-12—a score that barely reflects how one-sided the game truly was. By halftime, Texas led 24-3, having dominated possession and control. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers had his way with the defense as the energy drained from the 111,000 fans at the Big House.
It’s not unheard of for a defending champion to suffer an early-season blowout. (LSU experienced a similar collapse at home in 2020.) Michigan is facing the typical post-championship struggles, losing key players and coaches, and Harbaugh’s departure to the Los Angeles Chargers collided awkwardly with the new college football calendar. Mix in some complacency, and Michigan’s rapid (though possibly temporary) downfall became almost inevitable.
The team’s most glaring issue is its quarterback play. JJ McCarthy, an NFL first-round pick, had been Michigan’s star for three years, but the team failed to groom a solid backup. The presumed starter, Alex Orji, hasn’t thrown many passes in meaningful games. Instead, the starting job went to Davis Warren, a former walk-on who overcame cancer during high school. Unfortunately, after two games, it’s clear neither Warren nor Orji has provided the spark Michigan desperately needs. The quarterback play has been subpar, not just compared to McCarthy or Ewers at Texas, but to most Division I programs, with some FCS teams even fielding better passers.
The offensive line, once the backbone of Michigan’s success, also took a hit. Last year’s line was among the most physical in the country, paving the way for a dominant running game. But with all five starters gone, the current unit has struggled to regain that edge. The team also lost star running back Blake Corum, and while there are experienced replacements, none measure up to his level. Michigan’s offense is noticeably less potent in 2024, and the receiving corps is also lackluster, leaving little hope of competing with top-tier teams.
Defensively, the Wolverines remain strong, with many key players returning from last year’s stellar unit. However, they lost three top NFL draft picks and their defensive coordinator, who followed Harbaugh to Southern California. Texas exploited some of these weaknesses on Saturday, doing more damage to Michigan’s defense than anyone had in recent memory.
Harbaugh’s departure is at the heart of Michigan’s struggles. Long desiring a return to the NFL, Harbaugh finally made the move in January, after leading Michigan to a national title. His departure left the Wolverines scrambling to fill the void, and it may take time before the program regains its footing. For now, the team is in a downward spiral, and things might get worse before they improve.
