Two truths and a lie following Michigan football loss to Washington

Looking back at Saturday night in Seattle, here are two truths and a lie for the Michigan football program.

Oct 5, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore walks out of the locker room during pregame warmups against the Washington Huskies at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images / Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

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Truth: Wink Martindale needs to be a one-year experiment

Sherrone Moore made a mistake by hiring Wink Martindale. I get that he was the "OG" of the system but the man took over a defense with at least five day-two NFL draft picks and turned it into a complete disaster.

Mason Graham is a top-10 pick. Will Johnson is a top-10 pick. Kenneth Grant and Josaiah Stewart should each be first-rounders and I think Derrick Moore could be a first-rounder, if not a day-two pick at worst.

Even with all of that talent, plus Makari Paige, Rayshaun Benny, Ernest Hausmann, Jaishawn Barham, plus blue-chip recruits in Jyaire Hill and Zeke Berry, plus another returning starter in Quentin Johnson, Michigan football ranks 100th in scoring defense. 100th.

The Wolverines are allowing 331 yards per game. After allowing just 157 passing yards per game in 2023, Mchigan is giving up 259 this season.

Yes, Mike Sainristil and many others aren't around, including Rod Moore, another possible first-round pick if he was healthy. Still, it's baffling how bad this defense is.

Michigan has played Texas, USC, and Washington, but still, this defense is atrocious. It was supposed to be the one thing that could be counted on and truth be told, it's not much better than the offense.

Wink has to own that. Sherrone has to own hiring him and he's got to move on after the season.

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