There is a different feeling around Michigan this week. The Wolverines aren’t used to dealing with a regular-season loss.
Before their 31-12 defeat to Texas, they hadn’t lost a regular-season game since a 37-33 loss to Michigan State on October 30, 2021. Their last home loss was against Penn State on November 28, 2020.
“It should sting and it stings everybody,” first-year head coach Sherrone Moore said. “A lot of guys haven’t lost a game here at our home stadium and nobody likes that feeling.”
Michigan sometimes looked outmatched by the Longhorns, who were ahead 24-3 at halftime. The Wolverines’ only touchdown came with less than two minutes left. They fell from No. 10 to No. 17 in the AP Top 25, ending a 45-week run in the top 10.
Moore dismissed the idea that the defending national champions lack the talent to compete with top teams this season. He cited three turnovers and a 3-for-12 third-down conversion rate as key reasons for the team’s loss.
“You (improve) those two things and it gives us a much better chance to be successful,” he said. “We know where we’re at. We know what we’ve got to do and it was a good lesson for us to learn.”
Edge rusher T.J. Guy said he’s eager to get back on the field, starting Saturday at home against Arkansas State, which is 2-0 after close wins over Central Arkansas and Tulsa.
“Saturday was a sad day for Michigan but we have 10 more opportunities left in the season,” Guy said. “We can’t dwell about it and let it bleed into the coming weeks.”
