Gut reactions to Michigan football loss to Washington that's hard to stomach

For a few drives at least, it felt like Michigan football had a quarterback.

After another disastrous start from Alex Orji the Michigan coaching staff finally switched to Jack Tuttle who is now healthy enough to play. Tuttle was the second quarterback taking reps during warmups so it felt like he could play and in the second quarter, down 14-0, Tuttle got his chance.

Donovan Edwards responded with a touchdown run. The Wolverines added a field goal before half and in the third quarter, Tuttle led a touchdown drive that was capped with a touchdown pass to Colston Loveland.

For the first time, it felt like Michigan, leading 17-14, was going to win the game. But that was the last good drive the Wolverines put together. Tuttle missed open receivers and eventually fumbled. Washington took advantage and took the lead -- scoring the game's final 13 points.

A Tuttle interception then sealed the game. The offense struggled in the second half once again, and at some point, regardless of who is at quarterback, the offensive coordinator has to take some responsibility.

The head coach does too. I love Sherrone Moore, but every single week his team looks unprepared. It doesn't look like the coaching staff knows who the best players are, and it feels like both of the coordinator hires were flops.

It's hard to be optimistic because we can stop with the myth that this defense is "good." It's not. It's a good defensive line and one cornerback. If Washington could make a field goal, this would have been a two-score game in the fourth quarter.

Maybe Tuttle is the best option but he certainly isn't the answer and here are the gut reactions to a loss that leaves Michigan football fans wondering what might have been.

Gut reactions to Michigan football loss to Washington

• Michigan still doesn’t have a quarterback and it’s a mess of their own making. 
• I still don’t understand why Evan Link is starting. 
• Wink probably needs to go after this season. He’s not a college coordinator. 
• Sherrone needs a true OC. This stage is too big for Kirk Campbell. 
• Zeke Berry and Jyaire Hill got abused. 
• The defensive line is great but that’s not enough. 
• Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings aren’t on the field together enough.
• Playing your best players isn’t complicated.
• It’s hard to find a single reason for optimism. 
• A bowl game isn’t guaranteed. 
• I still don’t care cause we won the national title. The disappointment doesn’t hurt me. 
• It’s a bummer though. It didn’t have to be this way. 
• The Donovan Edwards slip will haunt me. That’s a touchdown and probably a Michigan win. 
• Go Blue.