Michigan Wolverines Drop in Rankings After Loss to Washington

The Michigan Wolverines have experienced a significant drop in the latest college football rankings following their defeat against the Washington Huskies. The Wolverines, who lost 27-17, fell 11 spots to No. 21 in the coaches poll released on Sunday. In the Associated Press poll, Michigan dropped 14 spots to No. 24, receiving 170 points, positioning them just five ahead of Southern Methodist University and 12 fewer points than their next opponent, Illinois.

The game marked Michigan’s second loss of the season, bringing their record to 4-2. In a surprising turn, Texas now claims the top spot in the coaches poll with a 5-0 record, marking the Longhorns as the first team to defeat Michigan this season. Ohio State and Oregon follow closely in the rankings.

Offensively, Michigan’s game plan appeared to falter early on with quarterback Alex Orji struggling to establish momentum. Orji’s initial performance comprised of three consecutive punts, gaining only 47 yards over 16 plays. This lack of offensive production led Coach Sherrone Moore to substitute Orji with senior Jack Tuttle in the second quarter.

Tuttle, making his first appearance this season after recovering from an elbow injury, managed to spark some life into the Wolverines’ offense. His contributions included a touchdown drive, a field goal, and another touchdown in quick succession, allowing Michigan to momentarily take a 17-14 lead. However, Tuttle’s efforts were marred by two costly turnovers, which allowed the Huskies to regain control of the game.

Michigan’s defense struggled throughout the match, particularly the secondary, as Washington’s quarterback, Will Rogers, capitalized on the Wolverines’ weaknesses. Rogers completed several significant passes, totaling nine plays of 15 yards or more, contributing to Washington’s 315 yards in passing.

The Wolverines will now focus on addressing these issues during their upcoming bye week before facing No. 23 Illinois. Observers have noted the necessity for Michigan to establish a reliable passing game, a task that continues to prove challenging given the turnovers that have plagued them this season.

The defeat in Washington, compounded by ongoing quarterback uncertainties, presents a daunting path forward for Michigan as they prepare to navigate the remainder of the Big Ten schedule.