Gut reactions from Michigan football loss to No. 1 Oregon
The Michigan football team never quit on Saturday against No. 1 Oregon. That's probably the best thing you could say about the Wolverines even though there were chances to make the 38-17 defeat much more interesting.
The goal-line stand for the Ducks in the second half stands out when Michigan football was trying to trim the lead to 31-24. Michigan trailed by 14. But score and maybe something crazy happens.
Instead, Oregon got a stop and drove the field to put the win on ice. It's a tough pill to swallow but getting a sixth win, which is not guaranteed, is the best this team can do. Here are some gut reactions from the Michigan football loss to Oregon.
Injuries gutted the Wolverines
This game got a little more out of hand than I expected but I also didn't expect Will Johnson and Jyaire Hill to be out for Michigan football. That was a gut punch. Rayshaun Benny was able to go, but it feels like this would have been a more competitive game if Michigan had its two best corners.
Quarterbacks weren't the biggest issue
The pass offense produced 165 yards compared to just 105 rushing yards for the Wolverines. Oregon ran for 176 and the Ducks defensive front won the day. If Michigan was going to have any hope of pulling an upset, it needed to run for around 200 yards and that just wasn't happening.
The longest run of the game came on a 26-yard run by Alex Orji which makes you wonder again why he only got six carries or why the staff didn't utilize him for most of the season.
New coordinators are needed
I'm not sure if Michigan football will be able to fire Wink Martindale based on what his buyout will be, but he just doesn't feel like a good fit for the college game. The defense should not have taken a huge step back as it did. Those guys battled but still gave up 470 yards.
Michigan didn't force a turnover on defense. There was one on special teams and there wasn't a single sack. That's just not good enough and after a third straight game with fewer than 300 total yards, I just think the Wolverines need a new play-caller on offense.
A bowl game isn't guaranteed
It feels like a one-game season. Sure, I'd love to see Michigan football beat Ohio State, I just don't know how that happens without an epic collapse by the Buckeyes.
Crazier things have happened. Upsets happen and maybe Ohio State has a mental block about Michigan, but with three games to go and one win still needed, a bowl game isn't guaranteed.
Michigan gets Northwestern at home, which will be the best shot since Indiana, and Ohio State are on the road and are playoff contenders. It's disappointing. This team could and should be better but year two will define Moore, so he's right to add as much talent as he can.