Michigan’s Season Goes From Bad To Worse With Blowout Loss To Oregon

Heading into a home game against the number one ranked Oregon Ducks, the 2024 season for the Michigan Wolverines was a disappointment. Just a few hours later, it'd become a disaster.

Michigan is the defending National Champions, with a suffocating defense and elite skill position talent, especially at running back. The Wolverines had a difficult, but favorable schedule, with most of their toughest matchups, on paper at least, coming at home.

A bad loss to the Texas Longhorns could be excused once it became clear that Texas was one of the best teams in the country. Michigan even rebounded, outlasting the USC Trojans despite a dismal passing game. But it's been downhill ever since. 

The Wolverines lost in Seattle to Washington, then scored just seven points in a road loss to Illinois. Dreams of a Big Ten Championship Game were likely gone, but the Wolverines could at least salvage a major bowl game and build momentum for 2025 with a win over the number one team in the country.

Not only did they not win, they were never even in the game.

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel makes a pass against Michigan during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Oregon scored early, and rarely stopped. After forcing a Michigan three and out to start the game, the Ducks drove 63-yards down the field for an opening touchdown. They scored touchdowns on three of their next four drives, including a Dillon Gabriel 23-yard run to take a 28-10 lead heading into halftime.

Michigan scored just one time in the second half, and Oregon pulled away for an easy 38-17 win. They dominated in every statistical category along the way, racking up 470