Most Michigan football fans hadn't completely given up hope on the 2024 season. However, that changed following a 21-7 loss on Saturday by the Wolverines.
Michigan lost a top-25 matchup but after a bye week, the offense was uninspiring. The defense played good enough to win but that was the only phase. U-M turned it over three times on offense. There was a kick blocked on special teams and a lot of poor punts.
Some of the coaching decisions were strange too such as not giving the ball to Kalel Mullings in some key spots or not at all. Looking back on the 14-point defeat, here are two truths and a lie.
Truth: Michigan football needs to start Davis Warren
Maybe the Wolverines pulled him too soon, but the pass offense functioned the best when he was in the game. The coaching staff should find a way to incorporate Alex Orji too, because he also aided the running game and frankly this team needs a running QB because it has little else to rely on.
Jack Tuttle got his chance and showed why he's in his seventh season of college football and never been a full-time starter. He's got four turnovers in two games. What's worse are some of the missed throws and missed reads.
Tuttle missed a touchdown against Washington because he didn't see Amorion Walker, then fumbled. Tyler Morris was wide open against Illinois and could have scored a touchdown with a good throw. Instead, Tuttle underthrew him and it was an interception.
It might look bad for Warren to go back in, but sometimes, sitting and watching can help. If he's learned to take care of the ball and if Orji can have a package that works, the offense might be functional, at least against MSU and Northwestern.
Truth: The defense did enough to win
Maybe the most disappointing thing for Michigan football is that the defense played well enough to win the game and the Wolverines lost by 14.
Michigan held a top-25 offense to 267 yards. Illinois scored like 50 points the week prior against Purdue. The Fighting Illini went just 2-of-11 on third down in this game and they didn't have a scoring drive that was longer than 55 yards.
The fake punt was a killer too. That led to third touchdown and made a 13-7 game, a 21-7 game in favor of Illinois. Even with three turnovers from the offense, Michigan's defense kept it in the game until the bitter end.
That's encouraging going forward and a strong effort from the defense is the only hope I have of this team beating Michigan State on Saturday night.
Lie: Sherrone Moore should be fired
It's easy to be frustrated but it's way too early to talk about Sherrone Moore being fired as Michigan football head coach.
There's no way it's going to happen for one thing. Warde Manuel isn't going to move on after one season. Moore is probably going to get at least three seasons to prove what he can do.
Michigan football will need to hit the portal hard this offseason. The Wolverines need help at quarterback, some wide receivers, some offensive linemen, corners, and also D-line help -- a lot of it.
The Wolverines should see what Moore can do with a full offseason. Some assistant coaches probably need to be shown the door but there are still five games left. Things looked bad in 2020, too but Jim Harbaugh adjusted, made some staff changes and things turned around.
It's going to be a long road to hoe though, especially if the school doesn't give the football program the NIL support it needs to field a competitive team next season.