5 things we learned from demoralizing Michigan football loss to Texas

The defense isn't "elite"

Michigan football has a good defense. The Wolverines will have one of the best defenses in the Big Ten this season, but it's not elite. That was clear on Saturday.

Texas took it to the Wolverines from the opening kickoff. Texas missed a field goal on its first drive, but Texas easily could have scored tocuhdowns on its first five drives.

At one point, Texas was down to its fourth-string running back and the offense still didn't skip a beat. Quinn Ewers was elite and he really won me over. That dude is going to be a top-5 pick. He's really improved.

But the defensive effort of the Wolverines was still disappointing. Talk about playing complementary football, it didn't happen. The defense could have set the tone early with some stops. It could have forced a takeaway or two -- that's what needed to happen.

Instead, the defense offered little resistance and if Texas didn't call off the dogs in the second half, the Longhorns would have racked up 500 yards and 40 points.

Michigan's defense has elite players. But the depth has been eroded and the secondary isn't good. Neither are the linebackers. Jaishawn Barham has been invisible and even the defensive line failed to get much pressure.

It was extremely discouraging and maybe the most glaring sign that this Michigan football team isn't anywhere close to where it was last season.