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In case you hadn’t noticed, folks, the beautiful dream is over. Michigan football fans who since September have been keeping their heads buried in the pillow, clinging to the sweet scent of a national championship, can no longer avoid the smell coming from the Big House kitchen.
And it isn’t coffee.
It’s mediocrity.
That trait was on squirming display in U-M’s fourth loss of the season Saturday, when Oregon, the No. 1 team in the nation, left the Wolverines jammed into their own turf, 38-17. The Michigan offense couldn’t keep up, and the Ducks swallowed the U-M defense the way real ducks swallow bread crumbs, pecking and jabbing four touchdowns before halftime.
The last of those was by Oregon’s Heisman Trophy-hopeful quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who took a snap and ran a beeline, untouched, 23 yards into the end zone. You rarely see a quarterback run that straight, that alone, for that distance. A monk has more company.
Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale reacts to a play against Oregon during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
REQUIRED READING: Michigan has so many issues in loss to Oregon, it’s hard to find biggest one
It was one of numerous embarrassments Saturday for a Michigan program that last year at this time was two thirds of the way to an undefeated season and seeing stunning excellence from its quarterback, running back, defensive line and secondary. Not anymore. We all know U-M lost 18 starters. We all know Jim Harbaugh bolted for the NFL and left the cupboards bare, particularly under center. We all know Sherrone Moore, the new coach, has his hands full. We all know U-M’s top defensive back, Will Johnson, was out Saturday.
We all know that just last week, the Wolverines saw one of their quarterbacks retire from football and a top QB recruit…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/thats-officially-michigan-footballs-far-040246178.html
Author : Detroit Free Press
Publish date : 2024-11-03 04:02:46
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