Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore hinted at possible personnel adjustments following the Wolverines’ disappointing 31-12 defeat to Texas in Ann Arbor.
Michigan had not experienced a home loss since November 2020, nor had they lost a regular-season game in nearly two years.
But Saturday’s outcome shattered those streaks, handing Moore his first loss as head coach.
Moore, who spent the last three seasons as Jim Harbaugh’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, took over as the Wolverines’ head coach after Harbaugh left for the Los Angeles Chargers.
While Moore’s debut – a 30-10 win over Fresno State – was far from perfect, the showdown against the Longhorns was quite troubling.
Facing Texas, a fellow College Football Playoff contender from last season, Michigan struggled from the start.
Texas, led by Heisman Trophy contender Quinn Ewers, who threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns, built a commanding 24-3 halftime lead and cruised to victory.
Despite the home crowd of over 110,000, Michigan couldn’t overcome Texas’ defense, which forced three turnovers and controlled the game throughout.
When asked about potential changes to his lineup after the loss, Moore didn’t rule out the possibility.
“I don’t want to make a knee-jerk reaction and just say something,” Moore said. “I’ll watch it, evaluate it, see what we need to do to put the right people in the right places to make it successful.”
Moore revealed the message he had for his team following the disappointing loss.
“We all have to be better together. That was the message to everybody after the game. We’re not pointing fingers at this person, that person. Collectively we have to better as a whole unit. Offense, Defense, special teams, tackling,” Moore said.
“We have to be better, fundamentally better. We have to be better getting off blocks. Just doing the little things… Guys played hard but you have to play with detail when you play a team like that.
“Big thing I talked about with the team is urgency – it’s not panic. The first time we’ve lost a game here since 2020, and an-season game since ‘21. It stings. It should sting,” he added.
“A lot of guys haven’t lost a game here in our home stadium. Players take it the worst… they are in the game and take it the worst. For us it’s the toll on them – helping them get over it today.
“We always talk about the 24 hours rule. For us, it’s what we can do to get better today. We’re looking at it as ‘Let’s go 1-0 this week.’”
In previous seasons, a loss like this might have jeopardized Michigan’s College Football Playoff chances.
However, with the CFP expanding to 12 teams this year, Michigan is still in contention for the playoffs. However, their margin for error is significantly slimmer.
Next up for the Wolverines is a non-conference game against Arkansas State before they begin Big Ten play with a massive matchup against USC.
Michigan’s schedule also includes home games against Michigan State and Oregon, as well as a road rematch against Washington, the team they defeated in last season’s national championship game, and the season finale at Ohio State.
While not many people expected Michigan to beat Texas on Saturday, it was a little surprising just how lopsided the game was.
What changes – if any – should Moore make???