Michigan Football: Ugly Loss, Manageable Future
Looking at this week’s Michigan vs Washington preview, we need to discuss the USC game. Let’s call it what it was — that trip to Los Angeles was tough. Michigan looked like it never left the tarmac. A 31–13 loss to USC drops the Wolverines to 4–2, and the noise around head coach Sherrone Moore is growing louder. I understand — two losses before mid-October feels unusual in Ann Arbor, but let’s slow down before we start panicking.
First off, USC is good. Maybe really good. Jayden Maiava diced up Michigan’s defense like he was scripting a highlight reel, and Lincoln Riley’s offense looked as crisp as ever. And going out west is never easy. There’s a reason Big Ten teams historically look flat in those West Coast Pacific matchups. You fly across the country, your body clock’s off, and suddenly you’re down two scores before you even blink.
But yeah — it was still a stinker.
The Defense Got Bullied
There’s no sugarcoating it: Michigan’s run defense was abysmal. USC gashed them for 224 rushing yards, the most the Wolverines have given up since 2020. And it wasn’t even their top backs doing it — third-stringer King Miller ran wild for 158 yards and a score. Missed tackles, soft lanes, and a whole lot of hesitation summed up the night.
That’s on Wink Martindale, whose defense looks like it’s regressed from last year. Zero sacks. Zero push. Zero identity. And for a coordinator who prides himself on aggression, this group looked tentative and unsure — a bad combo when you’re facing a quarterback like Maiava, who completed 25-of-32 for 265 yards and two touchdowns.
Martindale’s seat isn’t hot yet, and I’m sure that he will make some adjustments and have the Wolverines ready for Washington.
The Offense Is Still Finding Its Identity
Look, Bryce Underwood is a freshman. He’s got all the tools, but the offensive line keeps making him look mortal. Three more sacks against USC, and it felt like he was running for his life on every dropback. The stat line — 15-of-24, 207 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT — doesn’t look awful, but the protection issues are real.
The silver lining? Andrew Marsh. The kid’s emergence was one of the only bright spots in an otherwise miserable night. Eight catches, 138 yards, and a touchdown — he’s becoming the go-to guy Michigan desperately needed. His chemistry with Underwood is growing, and you can see glimpses of something special.
The Schedule Is a Softball Lineup
Now, here’s where I shift from frustrated to optimistic. Michigan’s schedule the rest of the way is softer than a pillow at a Holiday Inn.
Washington comes to town this week — a tricky one, but winnable. After that? Michigan State, Purdue, Northwestern, Maryland, and then Ohio State. Unless Maryland decides to throw a surprise party in College Park, this should be a clear run right up until The Game.
That’s why firing Sherrone Moore talk feels premature. He didn’t forget how to coach overnight, and this team still has plenty of talent. If they tighten up on the line and stop missing tackles, this thing can still finish 10-2.
So yeah — it was a gut punch. But USC might just be that good, Michigan’s youth showed, and now the Wolverines have six weeks to prove they can still swing.
Washington Preview: Dangerous, and Not to be Overlooked
This game is all about whether Michigan’s defense can bounce back after getting embarrassed at USC. The Wolverines spent the week stressing fundamentals — tackling, pursuit, and gap discipline — all things they abandoned in L.A.
They’ll need all of it against Demond Williams Jr., who’s been a nightmare for defenses. The dual-threat Washington QB ranks third nationally in completion percentage (74%) and fifth in efficiency, and just torched Rutgers for 402 passing yards and 136 rushing yards. He’s already piled up 1,600+ passing yards and 382 rushing, breaking a Michael Penix Jr. record in the process.
His partner in crime, Jonah Coleman, leads the nation in rushing TDs (11) and total scores (12)**. He’s a 5-9, 228-pound bowling ball who doesn’t go down easily. Michigan’s tackling will have to be worlds better to keep him in check.
Washington’s been dominant late in games — outscoring opponents 80-10 in the fourth quarter — but they haven’t faced a defense with Michigan’s ceiling. If the Wolverines can hit Williams early, bottle up Coleman, and rediscover their edge, they’ll have a shot to steady this season.
Bottom line: pressure Williams, wrap up Coleman, and stay patient. The Huskies are beatable — especially in Ann Arbor.
Betting Line & Weather Report
Betting Line:
Michigan enters the matchup as a 5.5-point favorite over Washington, with the over/under set at 51.5. The moneyline currently sits around Michigan –210 / Washington +170 depending on the book.
Weather Forecast (Ann Arbor):
Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 72°F at kickoff and light winds out of the southwest. A few late-day clouds could roll in, but rain isn’t expected until after sunset. Perfect fall football weather for the Big House.
Prediction
This is a “show-me” week for Michigan. The Wolverines don’t need style points — they just need a response. I think they get one.
Prediction: Michigan 31, Washington 24
The noise around Sherrone Moore cools down — at least for a while.
