5 things we learned from demoralizing Michigan football loss to Texas

Saturday was a rude awakening for Michigan football. The Wolverines thought they had a team to contend for another national championship, but that dream was crushed by the Texas Longhorns.

Texas defeated Michigan football on Saturday by a score of 31-12, but in truth, the game wasn't as close as the final score indicated. The Wolverines were fortunate to trail 24-3 at the half. It could have been 35-3 and Texas easily could have scored 50 points on Michigan's "vaunted" defense.

You can talk all you want about culture but talent is important too and Michigan football seemed to forget that at some point. It was fair to wonder if this would work without Jim Harbaugh, who was the best head coach in college football and so far, we can see how much he's missed.

Texas ran for 143 yard on Michigan. They converted seven of their first eight third down attempts and the Horns also forced three turnovers on defense and held Michigan to just 284 total yards. 80 of those came on the ground.

Davis Warren was 22-of-33 for 204 yards a touchdown and two interceptions but the stat line feels empty. When the game was on the line, the offense couldn't muster a first down.

It was an ugly loss and here are five things we learned about Michigan football against Texas.

The Wolverines won't be defending their national title

That pipe dream is over. There was an idea that Michigan football could still hang with some of the elite programs but Texas ended that fantasy.

Some have said that Texas could be last year's Michigan and maybe that's true. We'll see if the Wolverines fare better against teams like Washington, USC, Oregon, and Ohio State.

But man, it feels like Michigan football will be a two-touchdown underdog going to Columbus, probably accurately.

Michigan fans probably weren't realistic enough about the losses of Jim Harbaugh, J.J. McCarthy, and more generational players like Mike Sainristil and Blake Corum. Culture is important but it doesn't mean you'll replace superstars with fellow superstars.

Texas is on another level and it's clear Michigan just isn't there. Of course, a lot can change between now and November, but the ceiling for this team is much lower than expected.