Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from a stupefying loss to TCU
By Nick Popio
2. Michigan’s durable defense evaporated
Michigan’s defense hasn’t given up that many points since 2019. They were getting carved up like a Don Brown defense did prior to the 2021 season.
Jesse Minter could not slow down TCU’s rushing attack nor could he account for tackling Quentin Johnston. Duggan did not beat them, but Michigan’s defense beat themselves with their poorest outing since the Georgia loss. Ohio State and Purdue put up some yardage on the Wolverines, but TCU scored the points on them.
The Wolverines picked the worst opportune time to start missing tackles, allowing wide lanes to run through, and getting physically imposed at the line of scrimmage.
Demercardo averaged nine yards a crack with 69 being his longest. Miller was at 7 yards a carry before he got hurt and had to leave for the night.
All the narratives that Michigan was more physical in the trenches and TCU was just happy to be here. That's why they play the game.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) January 1, 2023
TCU’s defense wasn’t much better, but they got the early turnover on downs, a fumble recovery in the endzone, that never should have happened in the first place, and two interceptions for touchdowns. They did the things that Michigan was doing to get here from September to now. It turns out TCU’s offense was better than Ohio State’s and Purdue’s and had Michigan’s number.