5 things we learned from Michigan's disturbing loss to Oklahoma

What we learned about Michigan from Saturday's ugly loss.
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman R Mason Thomas (32) chases after Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Michigan Wolverines at Gaylord Family Ð Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Oklahoma won 24-13.
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman R Mason Thomas (32) chases after Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Michigan Wolverines at Gaylord Family Ð Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Oklahoma won 24-13. | BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Michigan football has a lot of work to do

Before the season, many felt like Michigan football could win 9-10 games. That is still possible. One game doesn't define a season, unless it's Ohio State, but it's clear this team has to work to do.

You're never as good or as bad as you think. I believe that. Michigan isn't as bad as it looked on Saturday night.

That being said, the words playoff and Michigan shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence for a while. Rod Moore's eventual return should help the pass defense. The defensive line should get better, especially if it doesn't need to be on the field all day.

Still, some of the "strengths" of the team haven't looked like strengths.

It's easy to overreact. Bryce Underwood is going to improve. He will learn from this experience. The question is how much can the offensive line improve? It feels like we overestimated the pieces around the freshman, and now, in order for a 10-win season or a playoff berth to come true, he's going to have to do even more than expected.

And as we saw last night, it might be asking too much.